Hockey’s Future, one of the best sources for prospect news and coverage (not to mention their message board, which is easily the best NHL message board out there) has compiled their top-10 organizational rankings for prospects. The Jackets came in fourth. Here’s what they had to say:
Strengths: Russian Nikita Filatov is a contender for the Calder Trophy this year and is considered one of the most offensively gifted players to be stepping into the NHL. Center Derick Brassard hopes his injury problems are behind him so that he can continue turning heads. A strong group of collegiate blueliners await their turn – Cody Goloubef in Wisconsin, Ohio State’s Will Weber and Notre Dame’s Teddy Ruth among them. John Moore chose the OHL instead of Colorado College and is off to a good start. Matt Calvert will be a key leader for the Brandon Wheat Kings as the host club for the 2010 Memorial Cup.
Weaknesses: The Blue Jackets will need to get a injection of youth into the system soon though, since many of their top prospects are nearing graduation. They are without a top prospect at the right wing position. Depth at center may also be a concern.
You can find the full article HERE
Interesting that they still consider Brassard a prospect by their standards. Had he not missed so many games to injury last season, he would likely have been graduated in HF terms. They make a mistake regarding Will Weber though- he does play college hockey in Ohio, but for Miami University, not Ohio State. Right wing, as they say, needs help. Here are a couple of players I like at the right wing position who could be a first round pick for the Jackets in June- Brett Connolly (Prince George Cougars, WHL); Stanislav Galiev (Indiana Ice, USHL); and Guillaume Asselin (Montreal Juniors, QMJHL).
Hockey’s Future also took an in-depth look at the Jackets from a prospect perspective, here’s a snippet:
There is no doubt that the Columbus Blue Jackets have a talent-laden prospect pool. They have two top prospects at forward in Derick Brassard and Nikita Filatov, a high-potential defenseman in John Moore, and two older, but solid goaltending prospects in Dan LaCosta and Kevin Lalande. But beyond them there is good depth as well.
The Blue Jackets are fairly deep at every position, but are without a top prospect at the right wing position. Depth at center may also be a concern.
It’s a great article, giving some insight on some of the prospects in the Jackets stable. You can find the full article HERE