5 prospects who can make a jump

[germany00]

Ryan Ellis, D, Predators (11th overall, 2009)

Despite his size (5-9, 173), the Windsor Spitfires defenseman has been an electric offensive force over the past few seasons in the OHL. One former executive feels he's already among the best power-play triggermen in the world. That's pretty heady praise for a 20-year-old who has yet to play a single game in the NHL.

"Ellis doesn't look like a player until the game starts," says our scout. "Then, you really see it. "He can flat out hammer the puck. He'll play, but I'm not convinced he'll be a star at the NHL level. I think it will depend on whether or not his mobility can support terrific puck skills."

In other words, he feels that Ellis needs to continue to work on his skating. The Predators usually start prospects like Ellis with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. I suspect he'll make a stop there before getting a full-time work in Music City.

Ryan Johansen, C, Blue Jackets (4th overall, 2010)

At the 2010 draft in Los Angeles, I ran into Portland Winterhawks GM/coach Mike Johnston. I'd never met him before, but after a few minutes he was singing the praises of his lanky center. Several hours later, Johansen was selected fourth overall by Columbus.

"He's a prototypical top-six NHL center," the scout says. "He's a big kid (6-2, 192) with great reach, hands and vision. "The only question is he ready for the NHL yet? He's still a gangly kid and I think there might be some concern about him getting banged up against the big boys."

With newly acquired Jeff Carter locked in as the Jackets' top center, Johansen could earn the second or third spot with a good camp.

Adam Larsson, D, Devils (4th overall, 2011)

I had a chance to catch the big Swede at the Devils' summer prospect camp in July. Larsson's size (6-3, 220) is impossible to miss, but he also struck me as a pretty mature young guy. He was so eager to have an opportunity to skate in the NHL; he signed an entry-level contract minus the usual bonuses for a prospect of his ilk.

"He's real calm, poised," the scout says. "He's rock solid and he's got upside on both sides of the puck. I see him as the closest kid from the last draft that could play in the NHL."

In New Jersey, Larsson will have the opportunity to learn from Hall of Famer members Larry Robinson and Scott Stevens, who remain as teachers in the organization. I believe Larsson will get every chance to crack the Devils' opening night lineup. In fact, I'm thinking he'll be there.

Ryan Murphy, D, Hurricanes (12th overall, 2011)

The slippery 5-11, 176-pound defenseman wowed pro scouts and execs with his thrilling puck-moving style during the Traverse City rookie tournament earlier in the week. So much so, some feel the Hurricanes have another baby-faced phenom from Kitchener like last season's Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner poised to make an immediate impact in the NHL.

"I don't think he's quite ready yet," the scout says. "He's got the tools, though. He can really accelerate with the puck on his stick. He's got a heck of a shot that he gets off without taking a big wind-up and he's got a real short memory. He's not afraid to make mistakes."

Carolina GM Jim Rutherford says Murphy will have every chance to make the team in camp. He did admit that it might be tougher than it was for Skinner because of his position. It's usually harder for a young defenseman to make the jump to the big league than it is for a forward. This year or sometime down the road, Murphy is going to be a player in the Triangle.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Oilers (1st overall, 2011)

The top pick in last June's draft hasn't disappointed the Oilers with his play in their rookie games. In fact, as advertised, Nugent-Hopkins has stood head and shoulders above his peers, making one clever, eye-opening play after another.

"He's as skilled and smart as they come," our scout says. "He has great agility that makes him hard to pin down in tight areas of the ice. The only question about him playing this year is his size. He's still a skinny kid, so I think you have to be a little worried about injury."

Another exec is less worried about that problem. "He's really hard to get a good hit on," he says. "If you can't hit him, you can't hurt him."

I'm thinking that Nugent-Hopkins is going to be in an Oilers uniform on opening night. This kid seems like one of those smart young players who'll benefit by playing with his most talented peers.

 

[dh1333]

HODGSON

 

[germany00]

TELL THAT TO E.J HRADEK!

 

[Mooche]

Ellis won't be a star, but he is going to be a guy who is going to light the lamp up a lot in the NHL. I really believe his offensive game is unbelievable, and he'll be a wicked addition for the Preds.

 

[dh1333]

TELL THAT TO E.J HRADEK!

HE KNOWS HE JUST DIDN'T FIT HIM INTO HIS TOP 5.

 

[germany00]

Ellis won't be a star, but he is going to be a guy who is going to light the lamp up a lot in the NHL. I really believe his offensive game is unbelievable, and he'll be a wicked addition for the Preds.

he just has to work on his defensive skills, eventually he'll be with Weber on the first D-pair

 

[germany00]

HE KNOWS HE JUST DIDN'T FIT HIM INTO HIS TOP 5.

NOPE YOUR DOIN IT WRONG

 

[dh1333]

he just has to work on his defensive skills, eventually he'll be with Weber on the first D-pair

Doubt he'll be a first pair D man. I can see him as a better Marc-Andre Bergeron.

 

[dh1333]

NOPE YOUR DOIN IT WRONG

Lol Hodgson probably has the best chance out of any prospect since Kesler is out for a while.

 

[germany00]

Ya but when kesler returns than he could be back down ton the AHL, atleast Ellis has a spot on the team

 

[The Guid]

Ryan Murphy? He'll get KILLED as anything other than a PP specialist.

 

[germany00]

I know eh, when i saw Ryan Murphy on the list i loled

 

[playmaker7]

Ryan Murphy might suprise you dudes

And I really think Ellis could be better than most expect. He's just in need of some muscle

 

[dh1333]

Ya but when kesler returns than he could be back down ton the AHL, atleast Ellis has a spot on the team

Or.. He'll get put on Kesler's wing if he is good obviously. Ellis doesn't have a spot on the team unless he earns it, just like every prospect except Nugent-Hopkins pretty much haha

 

[The Guid]

Ryan Murphy might suprise you dudes

And I really think Ellis could be better than most expect. He's just in need of some muscle

I have zero doubt in his offensive skills but right now he's not NHL ready. Coming straight into the NHL, at his size, he'd get manhandled.

 

[snipezo]

Hodgson will stick with Vancouver all season IMO. Dudes motivated as he'll.

 

[germany00]

Ellis is so ready for NHL though skill wise, the guy got over 100 points last season and he is a defense man, he's won the best OHL player 2 years in a row, the dude is no question gonna get over 30 points. But he is a little dude, and thats what worries me

 

[snipezo]

Offensively hell be there but his defense is still a work in progress. Once gets older and bigger, I think he'll be a solid defender.

 

[germany00]

heres hoping, he's supposed to be the future of nashville's defense, so i pray his defense comes around

 

[LeafsFan4Life]

he's won the best OHL player 2 years in a row

No, he hasn't....

He won it last year but Seguin won it the year before.