Chiller Instinct’s

2009-2010 NHL Top Prospects Guide #11-15

11 – Semyon Varlamov, 6’1”- 183 lbs

Washington Capitals, Goaltender, 21

Many sense that the starting goaltending position in Washington is virtually Varlamov’s, despite the vote of confidence thrown by the organization to Jose Theodore in the off-season.  Head Coach Bruce Boudreau told the Washington Post that, “that was 13 games; it doesn’t make up for 12 years of experience.”  Unfortunately, Theodore has been grieving the loss of his infant recently; his focus must be fractured, though how that translates to his career is an unknown for the former Hart Trophy winner going forward.

The situation in goal for the Capitals is muddier than most realize.  Michal Neuvirth and Varlamov are both young and excellent net minders, though the latter’s push for the job during the playoff run was admirable.  The Russian-born Varlamov won four of his six regular season contests, before grabbing the reigns in the playoffs for the Alexander Ovechkin-led team.  He posted two shutouts and a 7-6 record in the post-season.  His two worst games came at the hands of the eventual Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins.  The future is bright in net and Varlamov has put forth a brilliant start to a career.

12 – Alex Pietrangelo, 6’3”- 206 lbs

St. Louis Blues, Defense, 19

The makings of an All-Star defenseman are coming to the mid-West.  The Ontario Hockey League and CHL are aware of the tremendous potential of Pietrangelo with the Blues.  Still eligible to be sent down to junior, which was the predicament that played out after an eight game stretch to start the season last year, Pietrangelo may stick with the team.   The teenager is grounded about the situation and appreciates the fact that they have paired him with 37-year-old veteran Darryl Sydor, who may just nab the job from the prospect.  "It is a tough situation," Pietrangelo told Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on 18 September 2009. "I think going through it last year, you don't want to do that again. But in the same sense, they know what's best for me, whether it's here or back in junior. The best I can do is make it a tough decision on them."

Regardless, the tool chest of the three-time OHL Third Team All-Star and Niagara Ice Dogs defenseman Pietrangelo is outstanding, consistent, and still maturing.  "Alex showed great composure with the puck and showed a real good stick defensively as well," Blues' coach Andy Murray said after a 3-1 exhibition victory this past Tuesday against Minnesota.  The Ontario-born rearguard was credited with two shots, one hit, one takeaway and no giveaways in his allotted 15+ minutes of icetime.  Along with stud defenseman Erik Johnson, Blues fans have much to build around with two franchise defensemen.

13 - Jamie Benn, 6’2”- 185 lbs

Dallas Stars, Forward, 20

Benn brings a simple element to the Stars - goals and plenty of them.  Whether the goal comes from his lightning quick and powerful release, or from his eager passing, the Victoria, B.C.-born left winger makes a habit of ending up on the score sheet in a big way.  His ability to find a seam or set up in the slot will be tested at the NHL level, but his dominance of the WHL suggests the transition will be smooth from the rugged junior league into the pros.  “He has a couple of camps under his belt and he’s getting to that age where you can tell he’s kind of caught up to the trend and the learning curve and is getting adjusted to the speed and the style and the strength of the game at this level,” added future Hall-of-Famer Mike Modano in an interview.

Benn has increased his value every year and with this training camp, he had clear goals in mind.  This sounds familiar to Benn, a natural winner.  In accumulating nearly every award he could garner during the year, including a gold medal with Team Canada in the World Juniors, berths on the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup First All-Star Teams, and multiple points and goals scoring awards, Benn has proven to be an electric talent.  Coupled with the anticipated emergence of defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy, Benn who loves to set up shot in the slot, gives the Stars’ attack and powerplay new life from within.

14 – John Tavares, 6’0”- 195 lbs

New York Islanders, Centre, 19

Much ballyhoo has gone into the development, drafting, and projection of ‘wunderkind’ Tavares.  The Islanders held onto the number one draft position via the lottery and despite speculation that management may select differently, the club opted for the OHL record-breaking goals leader.  The pressure packed environment of the fishbowl is lessened slightly by his draft to Long Island; Tavares will be afforded every opportunity to succeed.

With the demands that encircle a youngster with turning around a franchise that has been in relocation conversations and has been generally mismanaged for years, there is no other that may be up to the task.  "I’ve learned over the years in junior, and growing up, about being a high-profile guy, and getting a lot of attention," Tavares told nhl.com writer Todd Kimberley on 17 September 2009.  "Yeah, it’s not always the easiest position, but I don’t mind handling it, stepping up in the pressure situations or being counted on for a lot of things.”

Early on, Tavares has been skating with Doug Weight and Sean Bergenheim.  The 38-year-old Weight from Detroit said during the first couple of days of Isles’ training camp, "there’s a reason he’s been highly touted for as long as he’s been.  Obviously, anyone picked that high has a tremendous amount of talent. He’s shown that. He has a great set of hands and a mind for the game." 

During a trip that saw his first NHL action, albeit preseason, Tavares was impressive.  Positioning and face-off acumen were highlights, though most chat about him securing his first point.  The face-offs are indicative of Tavares’ detail orientated game.   JT will be providing that much to his club now and down the road as well, when his offense begins to hold water and keep Long Island afloat.

15 – Jonas Gustavsson, 6’3”- 192 lbs

Toronto Maple Leafs, Goaltender, 24

Vesa Toskala, the Maple Leafs goaltender of record the past two seasons, certainly has competition on his hands.  Gustavsson, nicknamed the ‘Monster’ in the SEL for his large frame and penchant for big game heroics, was brought in by GM Brian Burke with the lure of locking up the franchise through the ascent of a rebuild.

Just 24 years old, the Danderyd, Sweden-born star is like found money to Toronto.  Not only will he push for number one duties, but his late-blooming ways figure to give the Leafs a netminder to challenge shooters for years to come.  A problem arose however.  An irregular heartbeat requiring surgery put a halt on his march to the podium just yet.  "They go in a touch a part of his heart that was misfiring," Wilson said in a press conference on 15 September 2009, caught on Associated Press. "It's a simple procedure that's actually fairly common with athletes."

With that in mind, Leafs fans are excited about a great deal of things starting to come around since Dave Nonis and Burke strode into town.  Gustavsson’s selection of the league’s flagship franchise gave the fan base another reason to rejoice; it signals a reversal of mindset and fortune that the SEL’s top netminder and 2008-2009 Champion with Farjestad would elect to start his career with the beleaguered team.

27 September 2009 / Robin Keith Thompson