July 6, 2011
Top 10 Prospects
Boston Bruins

by Corey Pronman

Full list of NHL Organizational Rankings

Boston Bruins Top 10 Prospects

1. Alexander Khokhlachev, Center
2. Dougie Hamilton, Defense
3. Ryan Spooner, Center
4. Jared Knight, Right Wing
5. Ryan Button, Defense
6. Jordan Caron, Right Wing
7. Maxime Sauve, Left Wing
8. Jamie Arniel, Left Wing
9. Matt Bartkowski, Defense
10. Zach Hamill, Center

Organizational Ranking: 7th

System Overview: Boston has a loaded system and it speaks volumes to the organization, given that they recently graduated Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand and dealt Joe Colborne. Alexander Khokhlachev, Dougie Hamilton, and Ryan Spooner are all top-end talents while players like Ryan Button, Jared Knight, Jordon Caron and Maxime Sauve are all players with fine to good pro prospects and are not depth players by any means. Zach Hamill hasn't panned out as planned, but he's a top 10 pick and you see the talent he has when you watch him play.

The Bruins system is one of the deepest in hockey as beyond this top 10, I could have named several other prospects such as Yury Alexandrov, Carter Camper, Maxim Chudinov, Colby Cohen, Tommy Cross, and David Warsofsky who have at least have a marginal chance at the league. There's no real top netminding prospect in this system, but that doesn't really lessen the overall talent and depth the Bruins have. The defending champs didn't just build for last year, as they have the foundation to be good for a long while.

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1. Alexander Khokhlachev, Center
Date of birth: 09/09/1993
Age: 17
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 188
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 67 GP, 34 G 76 P (Windsor-OHL)
Acquired: Second round, 40th overall in 2011 by Boston

The Good: Alexander Khokhlachev came over from Russia this season and helped his stock tremendously. He has true plus puck skills with very notable hand-eye coordination that allows him to stick-handle very well with displays of unique creativity. His passing skills also range in the above-average to plus variety, as his vision with the puck is great and his passes are generally crisp and on target. His skating tool has pluses and minuses—on one hand he has above-average agility and a good first step that allow him to be pretty elusive, but the top speed barely touches pro level.

The Bad: Alex can at times be a victim of overpassing instead of taking the shooting lane, which is unfortunate as his shot is actually quite solid. Khokhlachev does exert notable work ethic defensively and in the crease area, but he's just nowhere near an average physical game with a very immature body and he gets pushed around too easily. Khokhlachev has a true top skill set, but the physical game will impede him going forward.

Projection: An average first-line center in a perfect world, and there's too much talent to not be an above average second line player if the development doesn't go as planned.

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2. Dougie Hamilton, Defense
Date of birth: 06/17/1993
Age: 18
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 187
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 67 GP, 12 G, 58 P (Niagara-OHL)
Acquired: First round, ninth overall in 2011 by Boston

The Good: Dougie Hamilton has turned many heads this year based on his physical tools and the offensive potential he's brought from the backend. He's a solid skater who can flash above-average speed when he gets going and can extend fully with his long legs and is a well above-average skater for a defender his size. He has a tall 6'4" frame that is going to fill out to be 200+ pounds at some point in the near future. He battles well and at the major junior level he regularly outmatched opponents and projects as a plus physical pro player. I'd cautiously grade his puck skills as average, even though it's possible as he gets more coordinated with his body that the tool may even become solid-average and he does flash that on occasion. As of now, he can execute the passes you'd want from a defender who you'd project into a top four and he does fine when he rushes the puck up, but isn't a dynamic offensive puck-handler by any means as he relies on his skating to help his rushes as opposed to outangling players.

The Bad: His hockey sense can be on and off as there are times when he will look collected and poised on the ice, and other times when he will make decisions that will leave you scratching your head. The good news is that the intelligence is there, which is the most important part, and you can understand the mistakes he makes when you consider the fact that he switched to the position fairly recently. The bad part is the risk of whether or not he develops the full way and really rounds out his game.

Projection: He has the ability to be an average first pairing defenseman, but easily projects as an above-average second pairing defender at the least.

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3. Ryan Spooner, Center
Date of birth: 01/30/1992
Age: 19
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 64 GP, 35 G, 81 P (Peterborough/Kingston-OHL)
Acquired: Second round, 45th overall in 2010 by Boston

The Good: Ryan Spooner is a prospect with a top-end skill set who regularly can wow spectators with his offensive tools. He's a plus skater who starts up well, shows a high degree of agility and elusive movement and the ability to hit a dangerous top speed. Despite his small stature, it was rare to see Spooner really get checked much as defenders couldn't stay with him. His puck skills are above-average to plus and in open ice he can do so much with the puck and is an above-average distributor. He upped his goal totals this year and went to the high percentage areas without fear. His stock dropped in the 2010 draft after a collarbone injury last season, but has shown no durability issues this year.

The Bad: His physical game is underdeveloped and despite the fact he doesn't shy from engaging, he isn't really all that effective and needs to bulk up a ton. Spooner's defensive game—especially for a center—is pretty bad and while he's got solid awareness and work ethic, that area needs a ton of attention and may push him off the position to the wing.

Projection: A below-average first line center at best, but his likely projection is an above-average scoring second line winger who needs to take a fair amount of offensive zone starts.

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4. Jared Knight, Right Wing
Date of birth: 01/16/1992
Age: 19
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 202
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 68 GP, 25 G, 70 P (London-OHL)
Acquired: Second round, 32nd overall in 2010 by Boston

The Good: Jared Knight is a fluid skater and the tool easily looks above-average but he has the ability to flash a plus top gear when he gets going in motion although I wouldn't say he maintains that consistently. Knight has the ability to be a plus scorer/finisher with a great shot tool that can score from way out, but also has the hand-eye coordination to finish plays in tight. He's a small guy but frequently goes to the scoring areas with force and it's rare to watch a game where he doesn't make a power move with the puck to the net. His puck game has traditionally gotten value from just his puck protection, but he made an effort to improving his distribution game to a somewhat decent level. Knight has great intangibles and plays the game hard.

The Bad: While Knight has the ability to do solid things in open ice with the puck, it's rare over long stretches to see anything beyond the basics from him as he tends to play more of a north/south game and simple game. His play in the physical game is admirable but due to his smaller stature he needs to continue to put on strength. I wouldn't say his defensive play is horrid, but it needs some work as well as his overall reads as at times he tends to get lost in the play. Despite the improvement in his distribution game, I wouldn't say it's sufficient yet and could still use work.

Projection: A second line winger if everything goes right, but he can definitely make it as a bottom-six player if he shows even average defensive value and his goal-scoring touch would still play on a second power play unit.

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5. Ryan Button, Defense
Date of birth: 03/26/1991
Age: 20
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 69 GP, 5 G, 35 P (Prince Albert/Seattle-WHL)
Acquired: Third round, 86th overall in 2009 by Boston

The Good: Button is an above-average to plus skater who is very mobile in all directions and is very fluid in his movements. He picks up speed very quickly and his four-way acceleration is quite impressive. Button is agile and shows good lateral footwork and combined with above-average speed and a good wingspan it's very rare to see a forward get by him on the rush. He shows a notably advanced defensive game for his age and if it wasn't for his lack of muscle mass, I'd say he could contribute significant defensive value in the league next year. His hockey sense is above-average and Button shows the ability to play sound positional hockey off the puck and with it he makes fine decisions and reacts to pressure well. Button has all the makings of a defenseman who can be given high amounts of defensive minutes and still manage to aid in putting offensive zone possession pressure on the opposition.

The Bad: He's listed at a respectable 6'1", 190 lbs. but looks smaller on the ice and has a slight frame. He doesn't shy from engaging but when he does, his lack of strength is noticeable. He has the ability to be a decent offensive presence in regards to his rushing and moving ability but you don't see it out of it him often as his game is much more conservative and he likely will be a below-average offensive contributor at the highest level.

Projection: Hopefully, an average second pairing defenseman, but he is a safe bet to end up a below-average second-pairing to above-average third pairing defender who logs heavy, tough minutes and does fine in the possession game.

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6. Jordan Caron, Right Wing
Date of birth: 11/02/1990
Age: 20
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 202
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 47 GP, 12 G, 28 P (Providence-AHL)
Acquired: First round, 25th overall in 2009 by Boston

The Good: There is always a risk when projecting junior players to the pro game physically if they can make the transition even if they have the body. Well, if there was ever any uncertainty about Jordan Caron's physical play (and there really wasn't), his display in the AHL has eased it. He's got a thick frame that has a fair amount of muscle which lets him be effective along the walls and in front of the net. He's not a banger who throws his body around recklessly, but he easily projects as an above-average physical player in the NHL who goes to the front of the net hard and often, gets his stick on pucks and win battles in the physical areas. His shot is above-average and he has the ability to score from mid-distances with a heavy wrister that he gets off well and score with his play in front on the power play. Caron works hard and shows the ability to play a decent two-way game.

The Bad: Skating was Caron's major hole back when he was drafted and it hasn't really progressed that much although the fact he can flash pro-average when he gets going in a line is something to note. His feet look heavy starting up and he's not all that agile. The tool isn't completely fringe, but it is below-average. His puck skills are definitely fringe though and he isn't a player you want attempting beyond the basics with the puck aside from the odd decent pass or drive to the net.

Projection: He might top out as a below-average second line player, but safely projects as an average two-way third line player.

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7. Maxime Sauve, Left Wing
Date of birth: 01/30/1990
Age: 21
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 61 GP, 21 G, 38 P (Providence-AHL)
Acquired: Second round, 47th overall in 2008 by Boston

The Good: Maxime Sauve is an above-average to plus skater who shows more of the latter and easily soars up and down the ice and uses his speed to win puck battles and forechecks the opposition well. His puck skills are solid and while I've never seen true above-average from him in that regard, Maxime definitely is able to move the puck around and handle it at a notable level. At times, he shows the ability to dominate, but it's sporadic. His hockey sense is decent and offensively he shows beyond that level.

The Bad: Maxime still isn't physically developed and it's hard to see him beyond a fringe physical player at the next level despite his work ethic with his current poor frame and muscle mass. His defensive game has come along the last few years but it isn't at an NHL-level yet and there are moments where his positioning is off.

Projection: He has the ability to play significant minutes on a second line if his game rounds out but even if not, he can play on a scoring line and can just be protected by his coach. There are tools to end up in a lower role, but it's hard to see him doing that as of now.

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8. Jamie Arniel, Left Wing
Date of birth: 11/16/1989
Age: 21
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 193
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 78 GP, 23 G, 50 P (Providence-AHL)
Acquired: Fourth round, 97th overall in 2008 by Boston

The Good: Jamie Arniel is a solid skater who moves quite well in a straight line with quick, rapid strides although I don't think I'd qualify him as explosive. He has decent hands that flash something beyond on occasion, but he isn't really a dangler or creative offensive player. Arniel has an above-average defensive game and is a very good penalty killer. He was frequently given key defensive minutes in Providence and can anticipate the play very well on the defensive side of the puck. Arniel shows a decent physical game despite below-average size as he will go to the net, and shows a decent amount of strength that demonstrates that he will be able to battle at the NHL level quite fine. He can play center and the wing sufficiently.

The Bad: Despite modest numbers in the AHL this season, Arniel doesn't really project as an offensive player in the NHL, but could be one of those third line players who chips in decent numbers on a yearly basis. There's not a lot to hate on with Arniel; he's pretty much developed into what he will be, the next part is just taking his game into the NHL.

Projection: An average third line forward, with a safe floor projection as a below-average third line to above-average fourth line player, but I think the former is more likely than the latter.

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9. Matt Bartkowski, Defense
Date of birth: 06/04/1988
Age: 23
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 203
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 69 GP, 5 G, 23 P (Providence-AHL)
Acquired: Trade from Florida, drafted seventh round 190th overall in 2008 by Florida

The Good: Matt Bartkowski has an above-average frame and shows a fine physical game in regards to playing his checks closely and his work along the physical areas. He's a solid thinker and you see it in the defensive zone in regards to his sound positioning, quick decisions and how he reads the play. He's not an offensive player, but you see the smarts occasionally offensively in regards to spurts of vision and decisiveness that appears in the smallest of details in his game. He has a fine work ethic and shows good intangibles.

The Bad: Bartkowski's skating is decent for his size and I've heard an NHL source praise it, but I don't see it and compared to NHL average, I'd grade it as one notch below. His puck abilities are fringe too and he can look just okay when trying to move the puck and will likely have to limit himself to the mere basics at the highest level.

Projection: Above-average third pairing defenseman, but can likely fill some lower-tier role in the league as a floor projection.

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10. Zach Hamill, Center
Date of birth: 09/23/1988
Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 180
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 68 GP, 9 G, 43 P (Providence-AHL)
Acquired: First round, eighth overall in 2007 by Boston

The Good: Zach Hamill has plus puck skills and the ability to do things out of the ordinary with the puck. He's very creative and can make life hectic for defenders when they try to take him one-on-one in open ice. Hamill is a plus passer who can make difficult seeing eye distributions regularly and has the kind of vision that gives scouts the impression he has eyes in the back of his head. He has all the offensive ability to dominate a game and create highlight reel plays.

The Bad: Where do I begin with the former top ten pick? His skating doesn't really impress and I wouldn't say it barely touches NHL-average on a good day, and when you consider his size being below-average, his mobility really hurts him. Hamill's height/weight listing is generous as he looks much smaller on the ice and it looks like he's made marginal physical development since his draft season. He's not strong on the puck and has all the indications of a perimeter player and well below-fringe physical player. His defensive game has shown some progression and he will show noticeable effort there, but don't think he can play a two-way NHL center effectively.

Projection: A second line winger in a perfect world, but I don't think he can play a bottom-six role so it's score or bust for him now and it's very much starting to look like the latter.

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The Sleeper: Carter Camper turned pro towards the end of the season after Boston signed him out of college. He's a small forward, but he's got fine skating and puck skills, and the work ethic/intangibles combo for a player his size to succeed. He'll be a player to watch in his first full pro season.

Extra Notes: I'm not sure if David Warsofsky will ever make it, but I hope he does because he's fun to watch. He's not a blazer but a decent skater who can show above-average puck-moving skills, but he has an absolute "duck-for-your-life" type of cannon that would be a top-end NHL power play weapon if he can overcome his below fringe physical game.

Yury Alexandrov came to North America with tales of top-end puck-moving ability, and while he brought it, he just didn't bring anything else. His defensive and physical game just looked so, so bad that he went from an above-average defensive prospect to a significant project.

I'm not a huge Tommy Cross fan. He's got good size and nice puck skills especially for his frame, but I'm not in love with his hockey sense at all and it will likely kill his NHL chances.

I haven't seen much development from Colby Cohen compared to last year. He still has the good puck skills especially for his size and the bullet shot, but the skating still looks below-average and he didn't look up to the task defensively in the pro game.

Corey Pronman is an author of Hockey Prospectus. You can contact Corey by clicking here or click here to see Corey's other articles.