Welcome to a brand new series here on PHU. I will be making top ten lists of prospects from each country. There aren't really any rules for these lists, though to be considered a prospect for my lists they have to have played no more than 20 games in the NHL, so players such as Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin, Max Domi etc will not be featured on these lists.
To kick things off, let's go over the top ten prospects from our home and native land itself, Canada.
10. Brayden Point, C, Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL (3rd round, 79th overall in 2014 to the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Point really made a name for himself at the 2016 World Junior Championships, captaining Team Canada in the midst of a successful season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. He currently has 67 points in 34 games playing alongside of 2016 draft prospect Brett Howden. Point recorded five points in five games for Team Canada at the WJC. Expect him to report to the Syracuse Crunch, AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning after his season with Moose Jaw finishes.
9. Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia Sting, OHL (Top prospect eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft)
Chychrun was once a projected top three pick for the 2016 NHL Draft, and has since slipped a little bit due to unbeliveable performances from Finnish prospects Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine at the WJC. Chychrun currently has 38 points in 51 games for the Sting this season. If he keeps his play up until the draft, he will likely be a top five pick.
8. Thomas Chabot, D, Saint-John Sea Dogs, QMJHL (1st round, 18th overall in 2015 to the Ottawa Senators)
Chabot is having a stellar season for the Sea Dogs this season, posting 30 points in 33 games as a defenseman. One of Team Canada's more reliable defensemen at the WJC, Chabot plays a strong two way game, and though he is eligible for one final season in the QMJHL next season, he could make a strong push to play for the Senators next season.
7. Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL (1st round, 11th overall in 2015 to the Florida Panthers)
Lots of scouts had Crouse ranked in the top seven of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and though he slipped to 11th, the Panthers got themselves a solid player. Crouse uses his big frame at 6'4 and 214lbs to play a strong power forward role, which he utilized for Team Canada at the World Juniors, where he recorded 5 points in 5 games for Canada. He currently has 41 points in 35 games for the Frontenacs this season.
6. Travis Sanheim, D, Calgary Hitmen, WHL (1st round, 17th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers
Though he didn't really show up on the scoresheet for Team Canada at the WJC, Sanheim is having a stellar season with the Hitmen. He's known as a solid two way defenseman with strong defensive skills, but he has 45 points in 36 games for the Hitmen, averaging more than a point per game. It's safe to say that he will be a lock for the Flyers' future defensive core.
5. Travis Konecny, C, Sarnia Sting, OHL (1st round, 24th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers
Konecny is undersized at 5'10 and 176lbs, but the thing that seperates him from other small players is that he is not afraid to get into the dirty areas and do whatever it takes to win. He's a good hitter for his size and has hard-nosed determination. Not only is he gritty, he's an offensive juggernaut. Splitting time between the Ottawa 67's and Sarnia Sting this year, he's combined for 79 points in 48 games. He recorded two points in five games for Team Canada at the World Juniors.
4. Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (1st round, 16th overall in 2015 to the New York Islanders)
Once a projected top ten pick for the 2015 NHL Draft, Barzal slipped to 16th overall due to injuries, but it's safe to say the Islanders got themselves a solid player. He currently has 67 points in 44 games for the Thunderbirds. If Barzal can stay healthy, he's a force everywhere on the ice. Had a solid showing for Team Canada with 3 points in 5 games at the WJC.
3. Shea Theodore, D, San Diego Gulls, AHL (1st round, 26th overall in 2013 to the Anaheim Ducks)
The first player on this list to play in the AHL, Theodore has posted solid stats in both the NHL and AHL. Appearing in 13 games for the Ducks this season, he posted six points in 13 games and has 21 points in 33 games in the AHL for the Gulls. If he develops properly, he will without a doubt become a rock of a top four defenseman for the Ducks.
2. Mitch Marner, RW, London Knights, OHL (1st round, 4th overall in 2015 to the Toronto Maple Leafs)
Marner is having an absolutely ridiculous season with the Knights so far. Playing as co-captain with Christian Dvorak, he currently has 89 points in 43 games. He also had a good tenure with Team Canada at the WJC with six points in five games. He needs to put on some weight, but otherwise should more or less be a lock to make the Maple Leafs next season.
1. Dylan Strome, C, Erie Otters, OHL, (1st round, 3rd overall in 2015 to the Arizona Coyotes)
Strome is right up there with Marner in terms of having very strong seasons. He was the OHL's leading scorer in 2014-15 and like Marner, had six points in five games for Team Canada at the WJC. He currently has 82 points in 41 games for the Otters, but has less around him to work with and is bigger with a harder shot than Marner, which gives him a slight edge.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
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