FanPost

NYI Roster Depth Chart Prior to 2011 Draft - needs/strengths to cup contention

Just for the fun of it, I've provided my NYI depth list for following the 2011 draft. Feel free to adjust, ignore however you wish. The Dynasty Islander won the cup after 8 years in the league. While that rebuild had its similarities and differences, in those days they were drafting 20 year olds, not 18 year olds. Nonetheless, Isles should be at the very least cup contenders in four year - 8 years after 2008 rebuild - provided the NYI drafted and developed well.

The legend I use to explain the rankings and organization is below. I am one of those that believes in defense first, and am not fond of players playing the off-wing. I have separated left and right forwards and left and right defensemen. Rankings are according to projected ceilings. As the law of averages dictates not all prospects will panout, it also dictates that some will. Lots of depth for every position/role indicates strength in the system, while lack thereof indicates the opposite.

 

Legend

A = Top six forward, top pairing defensemen or elite goalie

B= 3rd line forward, 2nd pairing defensemen or goalie a notch below elite

C= 4th line forward, 3rd pairing defensemen or middle of pack goalie

D= Depth player

L= Longshot (the L will precede letter indicating projection for longshot prospects)

 

 Left shooting forwards currently in the NHL and prospects who may be part of core in 4 years:

Name

M. Grabner - Height 6'0 - Weight 170 - Age 23
M Moulson - 6'1 - 210 - 27

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A = N. Niederreiter - 6'2 - 205 - 18

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B= K. Petrov - 6'2 - 198 - 21

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C= M. Martin - 6'3 - 210 - 22

C= M. Haley - 5'10 - 204 - 25

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D= J. Joensuu - 6'4 - 209 - 23

D= Clarke - 6'2 - 180 - 19

D= Dibenedetoo - 6'0 - 188 - 22

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List of Left Centres: In juniors, often top players play centre. Not all of these players' games translates to the NHL. Law of averages tells us some of the centre prospects will be moved to left wing. Below is the list of left shooting centre prospects:

A/B= J. Bailey - 6'1 - 201 - 21

A/B= A. Lee - 6'2 - 216 - 20

A/B= B. Nelson - 6'3 - 205 - 18

C= C. Cizikas - 5'10 - 193 - 20

C+ D. Ullstrom - 6'2 - 194 - 22

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Held Positions by Centres:

1st line centre:

A=J. Tavares - 6'0 - 202 - 20

3rd line centre:

C= F. Neilson - 6'0 - 187 - 27

This means if Isles retain Neilson long term, the team needs a second and fourth line centre.

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Right shooting forwards currently in the NHL and prospects who may be part of core in 4 years:

*Note: There are no right centres in system other than J. Colliton.

Name

A= K. Okposo - Height 6'0 - Weight 210 - Age 23

A/B= B. Comeau - 6'0 - 198 - 25

A/=P.A. Parenteau - 6'0 - 198 - 28

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A= K. Kabanov - 6'2 - 176 - 18

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Longshots:

LA= R Rakhshani - 5'10 - 190 - 23

LC= B. Day - 6'0 - 195 - 22

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Left shooting defencemen currently in the NHL and prospects who may be part of core in 4 years:

A= M. Streit - 5'11 - 202 (smallish puckmover)

B/C= A. MacDonald - 6'1 - 201 - 23

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A/B= J. Hillen - 5'10 - 190 - 25  (smallish puckmover)

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A/B= C. DeHaan - 6'1 - 189 - 20

A/B= M. Donovan 6'0 - 195 - 21 (smallish puckmover, but gritty)

B/C= T. Wishart - 6'4 - 222 - 23

LA/LB= A. Ness - 5'10 - 170 - 21 (smallish puckmover)

LA/LB= M Katic - 5'10 - 195 - 22 (smallish puckmover) 

D= D.Kohn - 6'1 - 200 - 24 

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Right shooting defencemen currently in the NHL and prospects who may be part of core in 4 years:

A/B= T. Hamonic - 6'2 - 208 - 20

C= T. DehHart - 6'2 - 176 - 18 (*Note: nothing on team site about DeHart?) (physical, fights)

C= A. Klementyev - 6'0 - 195 - 22 (defensive D, solid checker)

 B/C= S. Sims - 6'1 - 195 - 23

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Goaltenders currently in the NHL and prospects who may be part of core in 4 years:

A/B= A. Montoya - 6'2 - 195 - 26

A/B/C/D/E= R. Dipetro - 6'1 - 190 - 29

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A/= K. Poulin - 6'2 - 211 - 21

A/B= A. Nilsson - 6'5 - 220 - 21

B/C= M. Koskinen - 6'6 - 202 - 22

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