Chiller Instinct’s

2009-2010 NHL Top Prospects Guide #21-#25 

21 – Tuukka Rask, 6’3”- 169 lbs

Boston Bruins, Goaltender, 22

Rask is well known to Maple Leaf fans, as he was traded straight across for Calder Trophy winner Andrew Raycroft in 2006.  Raycroft, barely a stop-gap in Toronto for two years before moving on to Colorado in unimpressive fashion, has now settled in Vancouver to backup Roberto Luongo.  Rask is poised for stardom, it is just a matter of when and where.  His .930 save percentage and 2.21 GAA in the playoffs accent his numbers of .915%, 2.50 GAA, and four shutouts during the regular season.

Tim Thomas has done his best Johnny Bower impression (unfortunately not the ‘Honky the Christmas Goose’ version….), essentially shutting the door on the unflappable Fin.  Rask has completely dominated with Providence of the AHL and has shaken the stigma of having a lack of endurance, which was the only real question of the young netminder from Savonlinna.  He will start the season backing up Thomas in Beantown.

The Bruins may retain their stranglehold in the league for the foreseeable future with Thomas in between the pipes, and this will go a long way to steering the burgeoning star’s path.  Rask is set to become a RFA at the end of this year.  But with Beantown right up to the salary cap, the Bruins may opt to trade one or the other.  Thomas has shown no signs of slowing.

22 – Erik Karlsson, 5’11 - 165 lbs

Ottawa Senators, Defense, 19

The sentiment in Ottawa is that there needed to be more mobility on defense and Karlsson brings that in spades.  His puck movement and penchant for launching the offensive is impressive, earning him a place with the Senators out of training camp. 

Eriksson has fellow Swede and team captain Daniel Alfredsson’s home as his billet; the two have taken a lot of time recently to get to know one another.  As reported in the Canadian Press on 30 September 2009, "That's probably one of the best things about this job," Alfredsson said. "You're surrounded by young people and their enthusiasm, seeing how naive they are at times, as well. It's a lot of fun and you draw a lot from their energy."

A mere statistical analysis of Karlsson does not do him justice.  One has to look past the modest point totals in his SEL play with Frolunda, totaling just 11 points (six goals) in 52 games during the past two seasons.  He has been a teenager playing against men in the best European league.  It is his extensive international play against peers that begins to standout.  This culminated in Eriksson’s recognition last winter as the Top Defenseman in the 2009 World Junior Championships and an All-Star berth in front of the Ottawa management and fan-base.  "Erik's going to definitely help us out on the offence, on the power play,” head coach Cory Clouston commented.

23 – Niklas Bergfors, 5’11”- 190 lbs

New Jersey Devils, Right Wing, 22

Time and space are opening up for the talent-laden Bergfors.  After coming over to North America and marinating his game with the Devils’ AHL affiliates, the right winger’s goal production dropped off and worry began to set in about his development in some corners.  Last season, the four-year farm veteran succeeded in getting the top-level opening he feels he deserves, an produced the numbers to back it up.

There is an over-riding sentiment that now is the time for Bergfors to ascend to the highest level of hockey.  The situation is perfect, with Brian Gionta departed and newcomer Ilkka Pikkarainen on the injured reserve shelf.  Defensively sound players will be given every opportunity to succeed, something that Bergfors has proven he is comfortable with.  Expect to see the dynamic energy of Matt Halischuk slide into the lineup at some point as well.

GM Lou Lamoriello has stated publicly that, “We have to give Nicklas Bergfors a chance to play.  "He is bigger," Lamoriello told Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger on 9 September 2009.  "People forget he came here when he was 18.  He's 22 now.  He did two years of junior hockey in the AHL."  The Devils will do just that, especially with Patrick Elias out for an extended period of time, at first report 3-6 weeks. 

The Sodertalje, Sweden-born prospect is also coming off his best professional output, racking up 51 points (22 goals) in the 66 Lowell Devils games in which he was a part of last season.   Bergfors is one of those performers that could be much more productive at the NHL level with a stronger supporting cast.

24 – Johnny Boychuk, 6’2”- 225 lbs

Boston Bruins, Defense, 25

The Colorado Avalanche wish that they had never made the deal that sent defenseman Johnny Boychuk to the Bruins’ in exchange for forward Matt Hendricks.  Not that Hendricks is all that bad of a player, but Boychuk had his way in the AHL this season with Providence, earning AHL Defenseman of the Year honours, and was elected to the All-Star Game. 

It is a given that Boychuk will add to his five NHL regular season game totals this coming year.  “From Day One (Boychuk) is a guy that is very coachable.  He wants to improve, he wants to get better all the time.  His highs don't get too high and his lows don't get too low, Providence coach Rob Murray told Mark Divver of the Providence Journal on 3 April 2009.  “He's got the ability to play in the NHL, and he's made strides toward that.  We'll see where that takes him at the end of this season. . . but he holds all the cards with the season he's had.”

The versatility and leadership of Boychuk shone through in his break out season, compiling a league-high of 66 points (20 goals), a +19 rating, and 61 penalty-minutes in 78 games.  It was the first time that Boychuk notched more points than minutes inside the box, and he more than doubled his previous high in points of 32.  The Edmonton, Alberta-born Boychuk added another eight points (three goals) and 19 penalty-minutes in the playoffs in a sound defeat to the eventual Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears.

With a deep team with few holes, the Bruins must make room for both Matt Hunwick and Boychuk to keep the defense replenished with youthful enthusiasm in any time of need.  Boychuk has certainly made his case clear as day.

25 – Evander Kane, 6’1”- 176 lbs

Atlanta Thrashers, Centre, 18

The humble and driven nature of Kane, are among his endearing qualities.  The former Vancouver Giant (WHL) star steps onto a roster after an impressive camp that capped an incredible year.  A Memorial Cup Champion, Kane was a go-to guy for nearly every situation coach Don Hay could put him into in the last two seasons since.  "He was the only guy," Hay told the Vancouver Sun of Kane being a 15-year-old on his roster for that important series.  "You have to be a pretty special player to go into a Memorial Cup when you're only 15."  Coming from a coach who had been to the CHL prize fight with Darcy Tucker, Jarome Iginla, and Shane Doan, this is a serious endorsement

The focal point of the Giants’ offense in junior, he was the final cut on Team Canada’s entry to last year’s 2009 World Junior Championships.  Because of an injury to Prince George Cougar Dana Tyrell (Tampa Bay), Kane was invited back, and emphasized why he should be remembered come draft day. 

The Thrashers selected the Vancouver-born forward fourth overall.  Kane is physically mature and has tremendous will, making him a great compliment to any lineup.  "It's a hockey club that's clearly up and coming," Kane was quoted on Associated Press 26 June 2009. "This is a dream come true for me, and I hope one day the Thrashers' fans will agree."

30 September 2009 / Robin Keith Thompson