Thursday, June 21, 2012

Jets All Out Prospect Ranker 2012

The 2012 NHL Entry Draft approaches with new hopes for the Jets.
(Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports)
Though the Jets are one year old as of May 30, 2012, Jets All Out will celebrate it's first birthday on June 27th.

However, the NHL Entry Draft is always a time for teams to stock up talent for the future.

Simply put, it is one of the best highlights of the long, arduous, and sometimes painful summer months.

Before the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, we will rank the Top Five Jets prospects as of the end of the 2011-12 season.

Pasquale mobbed at Jets rookie tourney in BC in Sept 2011.
(Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports)
Prospect #5: Edward Pasquale, G, 21, 6'2, 216 lbs (117th overall in 2009 - ATL) 
(2011-12 Team: St. John's Ice Caps)
Last Year's Rating: N/A This Year's Rating: #5 Difference: N/A

Eddie Pasquale made himself known in the Jets prospect pool this season by putting together a stellar regular season while sharing the net with NHL veteran David Aebischer and Peter Mannino.

However, Pasquale took the reins of the Ice Caps crease and was the goalie down the stretch and into the Calder Cup Playoffs that saw the Ice Caps run all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in their first year back on "The Rock".

Pasquale, a fourth round pick in 2009, showed a great amount of poise in his second full season in pro hockey going 23-12-1 with a 2.41 goals against average along with a .911 save percentage during the season.

In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Pasquale had good numbers going 7-8 with a 2.42 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.

Pasquale will obviously need more time in the minors to develop, but his future just got alot brighter after a good 2011-12 season in the AHL.


Prospect #4: Ivan Telegin, C, 20, 6'3, 185 lbs (101st overall in 2010 - ATL) 
(2011-12 Team: Barrie Colts)
Last Year's Rating: N/A This Year's Rating: #4 Difference: N/A

It's a mere coincidence that Ivan Telegin is another Barrie Colt.  

Though drafted by Atlanta when he was playing for the Saginaw Spirit, Telegin was dealt to the Colts and finished his first season in Barrie with good numbers.

In 46 games he collected 35 goals and 29 assists for 64 points and represented Russia at the World Junior Championships at Christmas.

The 20 year old Telegin was able to play with fellow Jet pick Mark Scheifele during the season as well.

Telegin's 6'3 frame and his quick release are assets that the Jets are already drooling over and hope to develop him further.  Whether he stays another year in junior or comes up to the AHL after three seasons in the OHL, the Jets are in no hurry with their big, talented, Russian centre.



Prospect #3: Carl Klingberg, LW, 21, 6'3, 205 lbs (34th overall in 2009 - ATL) 
(2011-12 Team: St. John's Ice Caps/Winnipeg Jets)
Last Year's Rating: N/A This Year's Rating: #3 Difference: N/A

Going into the season, Klingberg was seen as a prospect that could pan out this season and possibly be a fixture on the Jets if he got on track right away.

For Kingberg, however, he was not ready for the big time this season, but his six games with the Jets this season showed what he is all about.

He possesses a big 6'3, 205 pound frame with agile skating and a nose for the corners and the net.  He even likened his play to that of Alexander Ovechkin.

In 66 games in St. John's, he netted 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) showing a gradual improvement in his first full season in North America.

If the Jets want the most out of their big Swedish winger, they need to let him develop properly and give him another year in the AHL.



Prospect #2: Paul Postma, D, 23, 6'3, 195 lbs (205th overall in 2007 - ATL) 
(2011-12 Team: St. John's Ice Caps/Winnipeg Jets)
Last Year's Rating: N/A This Year's Rating: #2 Difference: N/A

Obviously a steal in the seventh round in 2007, Postma continued to improve and develop in his third full AHL season.

With a three game stint to Winnipeg early in the season, fans believed that Postma may be a fixture on their blueline as early as the pre-season.

However, the Jets prospect put up great numbers in St. John's with 44 points in 56 games along with an AHL All-Star Game appearance.

For Postma, he has collected 118 points in 188 career AHL games.  If there is a spot to be had on the Jets blueline this upcoming season, Postma, who is also a RFA July 1st, may be battling for a spot.



Prospect #1: Mark Scheifele, C, 19, 6'2, 184 lbs (7th overall in 201 - WPG) 
(2011-12 Team: Barrie Colts/St. John's Ice Caps/Winnipeg Jets)
Last Year's Rating: N/A This Year's Rating: #1 Difference: N/A

Scheifele had one goal in seven games in 11-12.
(Photo Courtesy Yahoo! Sports)
With seven games of NHL experience under his belt from last season, Mark Scheifele can take a sigh of relief after a whirlwind year.

He was taken many spots above where he was projected, taken seventh by the Jets.

Scheifele was then part of the Jets rookie tournament in Penticton, came to training camp, played well in the pre-season (among the league leaders in points), then played seven NHL games scoring his first NHL goal in the process, was sent back to Barrie, played in the World Juniors at Christmas, had a run to the second round of the OHL playoffs, and was finally called up and played 10 games in the Ice Caps run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

All in all, Scheifele was worked hard in his first season and took it in stride.

Many Jets fans have high hopes for Scheifele.  Although still 19, he represents the future of the franchise but has been projected to be a second line player if he sticks in the NHL by some.

For Scheifele, however, his development must be the most watched and least rushed.

If the Jets want the most out of Scheifele, a year, or even two, in the AHL would make him ready for the big time.



However, after the season Scheifele just had in 2011-12, he may be ready for the Jets lineup come training camp.

No comments:

Post a Comment