Prospect(Hockey's Future)

3. Nicklas Backstrom - C - Washington Capitals
Height: 6-0, Weight: 183
The Capitals knew they struck gold when they drafted Backstrom in the first round of the 2006 Entry Draft. He had a good WJC, recording seven assists, and he has 40 points in 45 games in the Swedish Elite League with Brynas. The dynamic 19-year-old playmaking center leads Brynas in scoring through 45 games with 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points. Backstrom is about as well-rounded a player as they come and could be the best player to come out of Sweden in quite some time. Backstrom was probably NHL-ready this season, especially on a Washington team devoid of much depth up the middle, and with his performance in the SEL this season, there is now no doubt he is ready for the show. The Capitals have to be salivating at the thought of teaming him up with electrifying wingers Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin next season.


5. Jonathan Toews - C - Chicago Blackhawks Height: 6-1, Weight: 195 It was never really in doubt that Toews was the real deal when the Blackhawks spent the third overall pick on him in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but his spectacular performance at the WJC cemented his status as not only the Blackhawks top prospect, but one of the top prospects in the entire NHL. Toews shook off an early-season injury with the North Dakota Fighting Sioux and scored four goals and three assists for seven points to help lead Team Canada to the gold medal. A natural born leader blessed with a tremendous amount of hockey sense, Toews has scored 16 goals and 27 assists in only 30 games for North Dakota, and also boasts an impressive +18 rating. Toews competes hard each and every night and is equally adept defensively as offensively. Toews may turn pro at the completion of his sophomore season



9. Cam Barker - D - Chicago Blackhawks Height: 6-3, Weight: 206 After spending the majority of his rookie pro season with the Norfolk Admirals, Barker got the call and has played substantial minutes in the NHL since mid-January. The Blackhawks\' top draft pick from 2004 is a smooth-skating offensive defenseman. Barker put up good numbers in his four-year tenure with the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers, and he had 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 31 games with Norfolk before his recall to Chicago this season where he has five points in 24 games. Barker has all the tools to become a top pairing defenseman.


11. Al Montoya - G - New York Rangers Height: 6-2, Weight: 201 Montoya has been able to bounce back from off-season shoulder surgery to make the majority of starts for the Hartford Wolf Pack. He has a 20-13-0 record for the Pack and is one of the top goaltenders in the AHL, ranked seventh in save percentage with .919 and third in goals against average at 2.13. The Rangers\' top draft pick from 2004 has a high threshold for pressure and is known for his ability to remain composed under most any circumstance. He also has excellent movement and puck-handling skills, and all the makings of a starting netminder in the NHL.


13. Marc Staal - D - New York Rangers Height: 6-4, Weight: 204 The Rangers\' top draft pick from 2005 had a difficult start to the 2006-07 season, where, after remaining through one of the last round of cuts in training camp, he was sent back to his OHL Sudbury Wolves. Though he was not quite up to the same level of play has last season early on, his game has progressed, and was bolstered by a strong showing at the 2007 WJC for Team Canada. Blessed with good size, Staal has the tools to be a dominant defenseman, but will need continued work on his strength to keep up with the pace of the pro game. He could develop into a top-two defenseman for the Rangers.


14. Kyle Okposo - RW - New York Islanders
Height: 6-0, Weight: 195
Few players in his draft year were as intriguing as Okposo, an aggressive and powerful skater who would just as soon drive through players as around them. It has been a terrific year for the St. Paul, MN native, who was drafted seventh overall by the Islanders, represented his country in Sweden at the WJCs and has also been a leader both statistically and emotionally for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Okposo has 19 goals and 20 assists in 39 games, leading the team as a freshman.


27. T.J. Oshie - C - St. Louis Blues
Height: 5-10, Weight: 170
Oshie is a sophomore with the North Dakota Fighting Sioux where he is among the most valuable players in all of college hockey. He posted an impressive 24 goals and 21 assists in 43 games in his freshman season and has 13 goals and 28 assists in 38 games this year. Oshie also had a very impressive performance at the 2006 WJC in Vancouver and is looking like a prime candidate to leave school early for a pro career. The Blues will likely attempt to sign the college star in the offseason. Oshie is a smart, intense, highly-skilled center who could play in a top-six role in the NHL.

29. Eric Fehr - RW - Washington Capitals Height: 6-3, Weight: 190 Fehr was a highly-regarded sniper in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings where he capped of two 50-goal campaigns before signing a contract with the Capitals. Fehr has continued to deliver offensively in the AHL as well. In his rookie season, he posted a very respectable 25 goals and 28 assists in 70 games. In his second season, he seems to have elevated his game to a new level, posting even more impressive numbers of 41 points in 40 games. He has also tasted the NHL with 14 games this season, scoring two goals and an assist. Fehr has a large body which he uses effectively in the offensive zone. He has a nose for the net, possesses a lethal shot and solid hockey sense. Fehr has the upside of playing regularly on a second forward line as early as next season.


33. Jack Skille - RW - Chicago Blackhawks
Height: 6-1, Weight: 200
Skille entered his sophomore season with the Wisconsin Badgers hoping to build on his modest freshman campaign in the NCAA. Unfortunately, the power forward in the making suffered a hyper-extended elbow early in the season. He was able to return to the Badgers line-up late in 2006, getting into a few games before departing for Sweden to participate for Team USA at the WJCs. Skille picked up six points in the tournament, playing an important role in helping the Americans take the bronze medal. He has garnered 16 points in 23 games thus far this season. Skille brings an excellent mix of size, speed, skill and grit to the table. He is close to being ready for the professional game, but whether he can be lured away from school early is another matter. The Hawks would like to get him into the system soon.