Seven Michigan names crack NHL.com’s ‘Top 60 Prospects’ list
By @MichaelCaples –
The National Hockey League’s official site released their ‘Top 60 Prospects‘ list yesterday, and there are plenty of Michigan names featured.
The list, compiled by three NHL writers, assigned a point value to any player that’s property of an NHL club and eligible to win the Calder Trophy during the 2014-15 season as rookie of the year (that doesn’t mean that the players on the list will even play in the NHL this season, however).
The writers gave a point value to each player they deemed to be in the ‘Top 60’ – their top player received 60 votes, the second-best player received 59, etc.
Red Wings draft pick Anthony Mantha checked in at No. 10 on the list, taking the top spot of all Michigan natives and connections. However, seven players with significant Michigan ties cracked the list, while many others received votes, as well.
Waterford native Dylan Larkin, a Red Wings draft pick and University of Michigan freshman, was the top Michigan native on the list. Three Plymouth Whalers products appeared on the list, while Mantha and Larkin were joined by Teemu Pulkkinen as Red Wings prospects on the list.
Here’s a look what NHL.com came up with, along with what they had to say on each player. To see the full list, click here.
No. 10 – Anthony Mantha
Red Wings draft pick, 295 points
It’s been 15 years since a teenager had a regular spot in the Red Wings’ lineup, but Mantha is poised to end that streak. The 6-4, 190-pound forward has led the QMJHL in goals two straight seasons, including 81 goals in 81 regular-season and playoff games. That offensive ability likely will earn him a full-time spot on one of the top three lines in Detroit this season.
No. 40 – Rickard Rakell
Plymouth Whalers alum, 87 points
The 21-year-old has gotten spot time with the Ducks the past two seasons, including 18 regular-season and four Stanley Cup Playoff games last season. With Mathieu Perreault’s departure, Rakell could slot in as the No. 3 center for the Ducks this season. The team would like to see him improve on his 49.0 faceoff percentage from last season but like his vision and strength. The voters like him as well; he was named on three ballots, including 25th on one.
No. 41 – Dylan Larkin
Red Wings draft pick, Waterford native, 87 points
A star with the United States National Team Development Program Under-18 team last season, Larkin won’t be far from the Detroit staff this fall when he starts at the University of Michigan. Larkin will be tested playing against older competition, and also should have a spot on the U.S. roster for the 2015 World Juniors. Expect the Red Wings to take their usual patient approach with Larkin, allowing him to develop his already strong skating and poise with the puck. The voters also like him, naming him on three ballots, with his highest ranking at No. 27.
No. 42 – Sonny Milano
Plymouth Whalers forward/NTDP alum, 76 points
After spending the summer vacillating on his future, the 16th pick of the 2014 draft opted to sign with Plymouth of the OHL. But whether it was the OHL or Boston College, where he first committed, the Blue Jackets were going to enjoy watching the energetic, skilled forward who was second on a talented USNTDP U-18 team last season with 86 points. Signing with Plymouth also allows Milano to attend training camp with the Blue Jackets, and while the option exists for him to play in the NHL or the AHL, it’s likely Milano spends at least one season in the OHL. Voters liked Milano enough to name him on four ballots, including No. 16 on one.
No. 47 – Vincent Trocheck
Plymouth Whalers/Saginaw Spirit/NTDP/Little Caesars alum, 66 points
After a strong debut season in the AHL, Trocheck spent the last month of the season in Florida and never looked out of place, scoring five goals in 20 games. The offseason addition of Dave Bolland adds more competition in his quest for a full-time NHL spot, but Trocheck showed last season he has the skill and drive to succeed at the highest level.
No. 48 – Riley Barber
Compuware/NTDP alum, 66 points
The 2012 sixth-round pick (No. 167) has continued to improve each season. In 2013-14 he had 19 goals and 44 points in 38 games at Miami and also had four goals in five games as the captain for the United States at the 2014 World Juniors. He’ll return for a third college season in the fall, but the Capitals don’t expect he’ll need much time after turning pro to make the adjustment to pro hockey.
No. 60 – Teemu Pulkkinen
Red Wings draft pick, 47 points
The 22-year-old Finnish forward had a strong transition to North America last season, tying for fourth in the AHL with 31 goals and finishing second among league rookies with 59 points. He got a three-game call-up to Detroit, but it won’t be long before he’s getting regular minutes in the NHL. Two voters had him on their ballot, including one that ranked him No. 35.
Others receiving votes:
Connor Hellebuyck (44), Reid Boucher (24), J.T. Compher (15), Brendan Perlini (12), Xavier Ouellet (11), Jack Campbell (10), Michael Downing (10), Rocco Grimaldi (9), Alexi Marchenko (8)