Penetrators top 15 under 25

Yellowknife was granted an expansion franchise back in RHL13 and since then has participated in 4 entry drafts. The philosophy of building through the draft is starting to payoff, as we’ll see the first major influx of prospects making the big squad in the next year or two.

#1 Marc-Andre Fleury (Age 21)
Stats: Pittsburgh (NHL) 3.25 GAA 0.898 Save Percentage
Arrival: RHL18
Acquired: RHL13 entry draft - 1st overall
Projection: Franchise goalie
All this kid does is stop pucks. If he had anything that resembled an AHL defense in front of him in Pittsburgh, he’d be a top 10 goalie by now.

#2 Andrej Meszaros (Age 20)
Stats: Ottawa (NHL) 82-10-29-39
Arrival: RHL17
Acquired: RHL15 entry draft – 8th overall
Projection: PP Quarterback
Meszaros was penciled in for the AHL in 2005-06, too bad no one told him. Not only did he make the big squad, but he also made the all-rookie team. He’s expected to play alongside Redden again this year.

#3 Rob Schremp (Age 20)
Stats: London (OHL) 57-57-88-145
Arrival: RHL19
Acquired: RHL15 entry draft - 4th overall
Projection: 1st Line Forward
Schremp has all the tools to be an elite center, as long as he keeps his feet on the ice and out of his mouth he’ll be a real blue chipper. Edmonton will give this kid every opportunity to succeed.

#4 Matthew Carle (Age 22)
Stats: University of Denver (WCHA) 39-11-42-53
Stats: San Jose (NHL) 12-3-3-6
Arrival: RHL18
Acquired: RHL14 entry draft – 30th overall
Projection: PP Quarterback
He made the jump from college to the NHL in one weekend. The rookie looked right at home during the Stanley Cup playoffs and is expected to garner Calder votes in 06-07.

#5 Shea Weber (Age 21)
Stats: Milwaukee (AHL) 46-12-15-27
Stats: Nashville (NHL) 28-2-8-10
Arrival: RHL18
Acquired: Trade with Reapers
Projection: Top 4 Defenseman
Nashville loves this guy, enough that they let both Witt and Markov go via free agency this summer.

#6 Michel Ouellet (Age 24)
Stats: Pittsburgh (NHL) 50-16-16-32
Stats: Wilkes-Barrie (AHL) 19-10-20-30
Arrival: RHL17
Acquired: RHL14 entry draft – 65th overall
Projection: 2nd Line Forward
Nothing fancy about his game, he just puts the little black disk into the back of the net. Everywhere he’s played all he does is score. If Pittsburgh is smart they’ll let this kid play on one of their top two lines.

#7 Luc Bourdon (Age 19)
Stats: Val-d’Or / Moncton (QMJHL) 30-3-25-28
Arrival: RHL19
Acquired: RHL16 entry draft – 12th overall
Projection: PP Quarterback
Almost made the Canucks as an 18 year old and that was when they had Ohlund, Jovonovski and Salo. He should have no problems sticking with the big club this year.

#8 Brad Richardson (Age 21)
Stats: Colorado (NHL) 41-3-10-13
Stats: Lowell (AHL) 29-4-13-17
Arrival: RHL18
Acquired: RHL16 entry draft – 77th overall
Projection: 2nd Line Forward
Talk about being in the right place at the right time. The lack of organizational depth gave Richardson a great opportunity to play in the bigs and he’s taken this chance and ran with it.

#9 Jeremy Colliton (Age 21)
Stats: Bridgeport (AHL) 66-21-32-53
Stats: NY Islanders (NHL) 19-1-1-2
Arrival: RHL19
Acquired: RHL13 entry draft – 89th overall
Projection: Top 6 forward
Colliton posted some pretty sweet numbers in his first year of pro. Look for bigger and better things in 2006-07.

#10 Alexander Suglobov (Age 24)
Stats: Albany / Toronto (AHL) 66-33-25-58
Stats: New Jersey / Toronto (NHL) 3-1-0-1
Arrival: RHL18
Acquired: RHL13 entry draft – 59th overall
Projection: Top 6 forward
If he was anywhere but in New Jersey, he’d be in the show by now. Like Ouellet all Suglobov does is score. Hopefully the change of scenery in Toronto will help.

#11 Josh Gorges (Age 22)
Stats: San Jose 49-0-6-6
Stats: Cleveland (AHL) 18-2-3-5
Arrival: RHL17
Acquired: RHL14 entry draft - 93rd overall
Projection: Top 6 Defenseman
Never drafted, Gorges spent a measly 92 games in the AHL before sticking with the big club in San Jose. He also led the Kelowna Rockets to two Memorial Cup berths winning it all in 2004.

#12 Jakub Kindl (Age 19)
Stats: Kitchener (OHL) 60-12-46-58
Stats: Grand Rapids (AHL) 3-0-1-1
Arrival: RHL20
Acquired: RHL16 entry draft – 28th overall
Projection: PP Quarterback
Look for Kindl to break into the Red Wings line up once the aging veterans retire.

#13 Steve Downie (Age 19)
Stats: Peterborough / Windsor (OHL) 35-19-34-53
Arrival: RHL20
Acquired: RHL16 entry draft – 46th overall
Projection: Agitator
This little SOB takes no prisoners and will do whatever it takes to win. If he lives long enough, expect him to crack the flyers line up by 2008-09.

#14 Jean-Francois Jacques (Age 21)
Stats Hamilton (AHL) 65-24-20-44
Stats Edmonton (NHL) 7-0-0-0
Arrival: RHL18
Acquired – RHL16 entry draft – 80th overall
Projection: Power Forward
Built like a tank, fights like a tank and skates like an Oiler, lets hope he doesn’t have the a-typical Oiler hands.

#15 Andy Rogers (Age 20)
Stats: Prince George (WHL) 21-0-3-3
Arrival: RHL20
Acquired: RHL15 entry draft – 42nd overall
Projection: Top 4 Defenseman
This 6-5 defensive defenseman is just what the doctor ordered in Tampa Bay, but injuries have hampered his development. He’ll be a force once he learns the pro game.

#16 Doug O’Brien (Age 22)
#17 Paul Gaustad (Age 24)
#18 Dan Bertram (Age 19)
#19 Tom Fritsche (Age 19)
#20 Stephen Dixon (Age 21)