Prospects Analysis: Preseason Top Prospects: 51-100

With the 2016-17 season fast approaching, this is the first of a two-part series that will cover the top 100 prospects in the game. In addition, we will also have a four-part series, broken down by division, covering the top 10 prospects in each organization.

(Note: Players with 25 games or more of NHL regular-season experience are not eligible for this list.)

51. Kevin Fiala, LW, Predators: Despite a solid season in the AHL (50 points in 66 games), Fiala's stock is plummeting. He was expected to spent virtually all of last season in the NHL, but amid questions regarding his attitude, he was limited to just five games with Nashville. If these ranking were based upon pure offensive ability alone, Fiala would be ranked in the top five. He's severely undersized at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, but the 2014 No. 11 pick is a magician with the puck who rarely gets hit. He may be a defensive liability for his entire career, but he can do a ridiculous amount of damage on the offensive end if deployed correctly. If the Preds have no desire to give him a realistic opportunity, they should trade him. He trade value must be immense even though he's unproven at the highest level.

52. Juuse Saros, G, Predators: Following two seasons in which he was the best goaltender in Finland's top league, Saros arrived stateside this past season and continued his dominance with a 2.24 GAA and .920 save percentage in 38 games for AHL Milwaukee. Saros is a rarity these days – he's less than six feet tall, but his reflexes and positioning are both off the charts. The Preds' management group would never go for it, but if they wanted to trade Pekka Rinne tomorrow, I'm certain that Saros would be able to fill his shoes. Saros is still just 21 years of age, so there's no reason to rush him, but he's so advanced for his age that the Preds figure to have a hard time justifying keeping him in the minors for another full season.

53. Julius Honka, D, Stars: It has to be considered a bit of an upset that Honka didn't get to dress in an NHL game last season. He played considerably better in his second AHL campaign, registering 11 goals and 44 points in 73 games. Honka may be too small (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) to compete with big forwards in his own zone, but his positioning is generally on point and he certainly has the able to skate the puck out of the defensive zone. Honka may ultimately end up seeing just 13-to-15 minutes of ice time per game, but those limited minutes figure to come with big possession numbers and the ability to run a power play. There are about five teams in the NHL that don't have an immediate need for a righty-shooting power-play quarterback, and Dallas is one of them due to the presence of John Klingberg. Still, Honka is going to get his shot at some point this season. He's more than ready after playing two full years in the minors.

54. Thomas Chabot, D, Senators: Chabot should be viewed as a safe option compared to some of the other defensemen on this list. Granted, he doesn't have the upside of many of them, but his floor is considerably higher than most. Chabot's offensive production increased this season (45 points in 47 games) for QMJHL Saint John, and he performed well for Team Canada at the World Juniors. He has good size at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, and is very mobile. I see him as a good third defenseman who can play on a second power-play unit and help on the penalty kill. He has a pretty decent chance to crack the Sens roster out of training camp.

55. Jake Walman, D, Blues: Walman's brief, brilliant 2015-16 season was twice interrupted by injury, robbing him of a chance to play for Team Canada at World Juniors and robbing fans of seeing one of the most talented players in college hockey for a good portion of the year. The 2014 third-round pick had 13 goals and 27 points in 28 games for Providence College, absurd numbers for a collegiate defenseman. Walman has been so dominant in the lineup that he's a lock to produce next season as long as he remains healthy. I imagine the Blues will make a strong run at attempting to sign Walman next summer; they can't afford to let him even sniff unrestricted free agency.

56. Ilya Sorokin, G, Islanders: Playing last season as a 20-year-old for CSKA Moscow of the KHL, Sorokin went 17-7-4 with a 1.06 GAA and .953 save percentage. Those numbers are not a misprint. Sorokin was named KHL Goaltender of the Year and he also led the league in playoff GAA (1.32), polishing off a season of insane dominance in the world's second-best pro league. Another 2014 third-rounder, he's going to play at least one more season in Russia, but I'm thoroughly convinced that he would be a better option for the Islanders right now than either Jaroslav Halak or Thomas Greiss. Sorokin attended the Isles' prospect camp this summer, but like most young Russians, there is uncertainty about when he plans to come over to North America. If he plays half as well this year as he did last season, GM Garth Snow should be doing all he can to get Sorokin into an Islanders uniform for 2017-18.

57. Ville Husso, G, Blues: The Blues traded Brian Elliott, but they gave Jake Allen a four-year contract extension, so it doesn't appear that there is any way Husso is going to get significant playing time in the NHL in the near future. Still, I would wager that Husso's performance will force the Blues to make a decision about his status sooner rather than later. Over the last three years, I would go as far as to say that Husso has been the best goaltender not playing in the NHL. He'll play his first season in North America this year at age 21, but his combination of size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and athleticism is remarkable and I doubt he will need much time in the minors. Husso's GAAs the last three seasons in Finland's top league: 1.99, 2.36 and 1.91.

58. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Maple Leafs: Kapanen remains a quality prospect, but he doesn't have the ceiling of some of the other guys in the Toronto system. He did nothing in a nine-game trial run with the Leafs late last season and was inconsistent at best in the AHL (25 points in 44 games). Kapanen played the entirety of last season at age 19, so it's difficult to harp on his struggles too much, but he needs to play with a greater sense of urgency. He has good hands and quick release, yet his ability isn't noticeable on a regular basis. I think there are too many players ahead of Kapanen on the depth chart for him to spend any serious length of time with the Maple Leafs this year.

59. Haydn Fleury, D, Hurricanes: Fleury's coming off a nice bounce back from his dreadful 2014-15 year, although he still isn't playing as well as he did in his draft year. The seventh overall pick in 2014 had a strong postseason for WHL Red Deer and a very good Memorial Cup, so at least he ended the year on a high note. The big, two-way defender always contributed offensively in his junior days, but I see him as more of a 30-point second-pairing guy as a pro. The Hurricanes have countless young defensemen at their disposal to begin the season, so Fleury is almost certainly looking at extended run in the AHL.

60. Logan Brown, C, Senators: Brown may check in at a monstrous 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, but he remains a long-term project. He's a talented playmaker who has above-average puck skills, but is still learning how to use his huge frame to his advantage on a regular basis. Brown had a good year for OHL Winsdor with 74 points in 59 games, but there's potential for much more here. The Sens should exhibit patience with Brown – he has the tools to be a dominant offensive force in two or three years.

61. Michael McCarron, C, Canadiens: McCarron did little scoring (just one goal and one assist) during his 20-game run in Montreal last season, but he was a force at the AHL level, displaying the salivating combination of both size and skill that has turned him into a top prospect. McCarron had 38 points and 91 penalty minutes in 58 games with AHL St. John's and has become beloved by his teammates for coming to the aid of anyone in need. He's so big and strong at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, I think it's a near certainty that he carves out a successful NHL career in some capacity. His ability to play up and down the lineup is invaluable.

62. Zachary Senyshyn, RW, Bruins: OHL Sault Ste. Marie lost nearly all of its top players to the pro ranks last season, and as expected, Senyshyn's production increased exponentially as his role expanded. He finished with 45 goals in 66 contests, flying by the 26 he recorded in the exact same number of games the year before. And although Senyshyn had just 20 assists, he's a better playmaker than that number would lead you to believe. If 2016 draftees Boris Katchouk, Tim Gettinger and Jack Kopacka continue to develop for the Grehounds as expected, giving Senyshyn some help offensively, he figures to be amongst the OHL's leading scorers in his final season of junior hockey.

63. Josh Morrissey, D, Jets: No player who entered the season as a top-ranked prospect had a worse year than Morrissey. After talk of having him potentially start the season in Winnipeg, Morrissey headed to the AHL, where he was invisible until well after New Year's. He finished with three goals and 22 points in 57 games, with virtually all of that production coming in the second half. The Jets have a boatload of offensive prospects in their system, but they have some openings on the blue line. A mobile, offensive-minded defender like Morrissey should thrive in today's NHL, but he looked so bad for the majority of last season that it seems all but certain he's going to have to spend a significant chunk of this coming season back in the minors.

64. Jacob Larsson, D, Ducks: The 2015 first-round pick is coming off a serviceable season, as Larsson posted 14 points in 47 games for Frolunda of the SHL. Larsson is very good at reading plays and a terrific skater for a kid who already checks in at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. The 18-year-old doesn't use his size to his advantage often enough yet and is a couple of years away from NHL duty, but he has the look of a productive second-pairing defender who can impact the game in virtually all areas. Larsson signed his entry-level contract with the Ducks in May.

65. Madison Bowey, D, Capitals: Bowey got progressively better as the season went along, and by the time the Bears made their run deep into the AHL playoffs, he was arguably their best defenseman. The 21-year-old Bowey's calling card is his mobility – he can wreak havoc on both ends with his skating ability and has a good, quick release on his shot from the point. The Caps' defensive corps appears to be set entering the season, so it will likely take an injury for Bowey to see significant time in the NHL early on. He could use a few more reps in the minors, but he should be ready for prime time after another month or so in the AHL.

66. Jake DeBrusk, LW, Bruins: DeBrusk's stellar playoffs for WHL Red Deer by no means made anyone forget how dreadful he was during the regular season. One year after scoring 42 goals for Swift Current, DeBrusk posted just half that total in a season split between the two clubs. DeBrusk gets a pass to some degree because he spent nearly the entire season playing with different linemates, but the poor goal total is especially concerning since DeBrusk doesn't have the physical gifts of some other top prospects. His production is the result of a high hockey IQ and positioning. Playing with better players at the professional level could very well help in that regard, so it would be foolish to downgrade DeBrusk too much despite the poor year. There's a wide range of potential outcomes for the 19-year-old's his first AHL season, but I would be shocked if he was of any assistance in Boston this year.

67. Miles Wood, LW, Devils: A fourth-round pick by the Devils in 2014, Wood didn't enroll at Boston College until this past fall. His first season for the Eagles couldn't have gone any better – he posted 10 goals and 35 points in 37 games as one of BC's most consistent players. His big season earned him an entry-level contract and he ended up dressing for the Devils' season finale, then went on to play for Team USA at the World Championships. All in all, it was a meteoric rise for a kid who wasn't on the map at all entering the season. Wood has a thick lower body that he uses to his advantage, and although his calling card is his offensive ability, he showed during multiple international tournaments that he can be effective in a checking role if need be. The Devils need all the talented young players that they can find, but it's hard to see them rushing Wood into full-time NHL duty. He will probably spend this season in the AHL. After all, this is a kid who was playing high-school hockey in Massachusetts less than two years ago.

68. Adam Erne, LW, Lightning: Erne suffered a hand injury about 10 games into his first AHL season that ended up costing him nearly six weeks worth of action. He played fairly well upon returning, finishing the season with 14 goals in 59 games. That equates to just about 20 goals over a full 82-game season, which figures to be roughly the number of tallies he produces in his peak years. Erne plays a power-forward game, and his willingness to go to the tough areas of the ice to make plays has improved since his junior career began. He should have been a first-round pick in the 2013 draft, so the Lightning did a great job to nab him with selection No. 33. His game has no noticeable weaknesses, so even if he doesn't develop enough to seize a top-six role, he's going to have value as a potentially 20-goal scorer on the third line.

69. Mike Matheson, D, Panthers: I haven't been impressed with the development of Matheson over the last two years, but I thought he played extremely well in the playoffs for Florida. He has good instincts and can really skate, so I don't understand why he's had so much trouble defensively in the past. Part of that may be on Panthers coach Gerard Gallant for not deploying Matheson correctly, but he has enough natural ability to be an effective second-pairing defender. The offseason additions of Keith Yandle and Jason Demers may result in Matheson beginning the season in the AHL, but he doesn't have much left to learn in the minors.

70. J.T. Compher, C, Avalanche: Most everyone, myself included, pegged Compher as a potential captain and third-line center when the Sabres drafted him 35th overall in 2015. The captain part hasn't changed, but after a dominant junior season at the University of Michigan in which he posted 63 points in 38 games, there's at least a 50-50 chance that Compher may eventually fill a top-six role for Colorado. He came to the Avs in the deal that sent Ryan O'Reilly to Buffalo, and Compher signed his entry-level deal with Colorado when Michigan's season ended. Compher is far from the highest-upside player on this list, but he does have one of the highest floors. I see no way that he doesn't end up a productive NHL player in some capacity. If the Avs get off to a hot start and are battling for playoff position after the All-Star break, Compher should have enough experience under his belt to help the NHL club later in the year.

71. Brendan Perlini, LW, Coyotes: Perlini had a remarkably consistent junior career, although he never had that one breakout season expected by many. Perlini is a speedy scorer who doesn't need the puck on his stick to be effective. It makes him particularly attractive to an Arizona team that already has guys like Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak in their system. For one reason or another, Perlini has become a forgotten man since Arizona spent the 12th overall pick on him in 2014. He's virtually never mentioned when analysts talk about Arizona's top prospects, let alone the top prospects in the entire league. Perlini is going to begin next season in the AHL, and I'm not exactly sure where he fits into Arizona's future plans.

72. Brandon Montour, D, Ducks: One full AHL season from Montour was all I needed to see – he's ready to play in the NHL. Montour posted 12 goals and 57 points in his first pro season, far exceeding even the most optimistic expectations. If the Ducks wanted to trade Cam Fowler or Hampus Lindholm tomorrow, I have full confidence that Montour could step in immediately and play effectively. Montour isn't very big (6-foot, 190 pounds) and he struggles defensively at times, but he's mobile with great vision and an accurate shot. The 22-year-old needs to be deployed correctly to be an asset. He shouldn't be playing many even-strength minutes in close games at this point in his career, but is a potential game-changing defenseman, particularly on the power play, so the Ducks are going to have to make room for him in the near future.

73. Jon Gillies, G, Flames: Gillies' first pro season lasted a whopping seven games before he succumbed to a hip injury that had bothered him for more than two years. He had surgery in early November and missed the rest of the season. Other than missing nearly a full year of playing time, nothing has changed with regard to his ceiling. You just don't find many goaltenders who check in at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, which is how Gillies is listed. He's so big and takes up so much of the net that as long as his positioning is on point (and it almost always is), he's nearly impossible to beat. The Flames traded for Brian Elliott, so he's going to be their starter this year, but Elliot's a free agent after the coming season and will cost a lot of money to re-sign. I'm not sure the Flames will have the guts to make the move, but I think Gillies will be ready to take over the job as long as he's able to get through this season in one piece.

74. Charlie McAvoy, D, Bruins: McAvoy was a consistent contributor in his freshman season at Boston University with 25 points in 37 games, which is an impressive accomplishment in its own right. He played a limited, but effective role for Team USA at World Juniors and cut down considerably on boneheaded plays as the season moved along. McAvoy isn't very tall, but he's stocky and gets around pretty well. He makes a great first outlet pass, and as long as he doesn't try to do too much with the puck, he projects as a useful No. 3 or No. 4 defenseman who can also help on the power play.

75. Lawson Crouse, LW, Coyotes: It's been more than 15 months since the Panthers spent the 11th overall pick in the 2015 draft on Crouse, and I still think he's destined to become a third-line winger. His goal total actually dropped this past season (from 29 to 23), albeit in seven fewer games played. Crouse has no room for growth (no pun intended) from a physical perspective, so the Panthers might as well put him in their lineup and see if he can use his big body effectively in a limited role. He may end up being a darn good third-liner, but a third-liner nonetheless. Don't get me wrong, he can be useful, but I see a player with a limited skill set.

76. Ville Pokka, D, Blackhawks: Pokka has been playing professional hockey for five years (three in his native Finland, the last two in the AHL) and he is still yet to make his NHL debut. To say that Pokka has nothing left to learn in the minors would be an understatement. Had he been in any other organization, he almost certainly would have significant NHL playing time under his belt by now. Pokka is a stocky, offensive-minded defender with a cannon of a shot. He does his best work with the man advantage, and although he isn't much of an asset defensively, he knows his limitations in his own end. A team looking for an under-the-radar defenseman should call the 'Hawks regarding Pokka. Although he is clearly ready for NHL duty, they have shown no desire to give him an opportunity. Perhaps another club can swoop in and steal the talented defenseman.

77. Connor Brown, RW, Maple Leafs: Brown has produced at every stop in his career, and that was the case again this past season, although his playing time was limited due to a fractured ankle. He racked up 29 points in 34 AHL games and six points in a seven-game trial with the Leafs. Brown has always been a bit of an overachiever – he's not a very good skater and he isn't big (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), but his consistent production at every level shouldn't surprise anyone by now. When he was drafted in the sixth round in 2012, Brown had the look of an elite junior player who would struggle as soon as he started facing better competition. That couldn't have been further from the truth. The Leafs have a bunch of talented forwards on their roster, both veterans and rookies, so I'm not confident they'll give Brown a major role right out of the gate, but I think he's ready for it.

78. Jakub Zboril, D, Bruins: Last year was a decent, yet unspectacular season for Zboril, which I imagine will be the story of his NHL career. He posted six goals and 20 points in 50 games for Saint John of the QMJHL. There's little doubt in my mind that he has more offense in him than those numbers indicate, but he's not going to be much of a point producer as a pro. I thought the Bruins reached a bit when they took him 13th overall last summer, simply because he doesn't seem to have a very high ceiling, but I acknowledge that there are seemingly no weaknesses in his game and he should provide a solid decade-plus worth of NHL service.

79. Joel Eriksson-Ek, C, Wild: I've had Eriksson-Ek pegged as an above-average third-line center from the get-go, and my opinion hasn't changed at all. He has good size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds), he works hard, and he has enough skill to keep defensemen honest. Because he's so defensively aware and has played the last two years against men in Sweden, I think there's a good chance that he can help the Wild at some point this year. The 19-year-old may need half a season in the AHL in order to adjust to the smaller rinks of North America, but I would wager that he won't have much difficulty with the transition. He's just a solid pro in all areas.

80. Daniel Sprong, RW, Penguins: Having Sprong start last season in Pittsburgh seemed like a terrible idea; not surprisingly, after 18 games spent mostly on the fourth line, the Pens couldn't justify keeping him on the NHL roster any longer and shipped him back to the QMJHL. He was good, but not great (46 points in 33 games) for Charlottetown. Sprong theoretically has the hands and vision to fit on the wing alongside a top-flight center like Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. He's far better with the puck on his stick than without it, but that's a fixable problem. The Pens have enough offensive depth that they don't need Sprong to contribute at the NHL level next season. He has the ceiling of a top-line, 30-goal winger, so the Pens would be foolish to keep him around for limited minutes again.

81. Kieffer Bellows, LW, Islanders: I liked the Islanders' pick of Bellows at 19th overall this past June because while he has only one elite trait (his goal-scoring ability), there was virtually no other player on the board who matched his long-term upside. In a perfect world, the Isles have a perennial 30-goal scorer on their hands who skates well and will battle physically to extended plays. At the very worst, they have a marginal prospect who can't find his goal-scoring touch on a regular basis and contributes nothing in other areas of the game. I would be surprised if it's the latter, but I could see Bellows struggling early in his freshman season at Boston University this fall.

82. Tyler Motte, C, Blackhawks: The 'Hawks constantly operate near the salary cap, so they have a perennial need to acquire cheap, talented players via the draft, and Motte is a great example of how they do it. A fourth-round pick in 2012, Motte scored a grand total of 18 goals and 49 points in his first two seasons at the University of Michigan before exploding for 32 goals and 56 points this past season. A lot of people think Motte's big year was strictly the result of playing on a line with top prospects Kyle Connor and J.T. Compher, but he's an above-average skater who has always fit in well regardless of linemates. The biggest concern surrounding the 21-year-old is his lack of size; he's listed at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds. His transition into pro hockey, likely in the AHL to start out, will be an interesting story to track this year.

83. Malcolm Subban, G, Bruins: Subban now has three AHL seasons under his belt and has played well in each of them, and yet he has exactly one NHL game under his belt. He was torched by the Blues in February 2015, yanked from the game, and immediately sent back down to the minors. Subban suffered a fractured larynx this past February when he was hit in the neck with a shot; while that was obviously a scary situation, he should be ready to roll at the start of the season. The Bruins brought back Anton Khudobin to back up Tuukka Rask, so it appears once again that Subban has no clear path to significant NHL playing time. A trade would be best for all parties involved at this point, as P.K.'s little brother still has the tools to be an effective NHL starting goaltender.

84. Nikolay Goldobin, RW, Sharks: A strong AHL season for Goldobin (44 points in 60 games) was overshadowed by the fact that he dressed in just nine games for the Sharks. He was widely expected to be a major contributor in San Jose this past season, but concerns about his defensive play and his struggles dealing with physical defensemen led to Goldobin spending nearly the entire year in the minors. The Russian is a talented offensive player who excels in open space, and since he would be of no use in a checking role, it seems likely that he's looking at even more time in the AHL in 2016-17. The Sharks have countless players who are able to fill top-six roles, and although Goldobin's minuscule cap hit would be a welcome addition to any NHL roster, it makes zero sense to have him playing limited minutes on the fourth line.

85. Charles Hudon, LW, Canadiens: Given how badly this past season went for the Habs and how often they were forced to dip into their farm system, it was extremely disappointing that Hudon only saw three games worth of NHL action. He notched two assists in those three contests, but the Habs never committed to giving him a realistic chance to establish himself as an NHL regular. Hudon had 28 goals and 53 points in 67 AHL games, his second straight productive year since turning pro at the start of the 2014-15 campaign. The 22-year-old is shifty, a hard worker and a good skater, so he has the ability to excel in a checking-line role if the Habs don't feel he's ready for top-six minutes. Hudon's lack of size (5-foot-10, 185 pounds, and the Canadiens' seeming lack of faith in him are the only things keeping him from leaping into the league's top 50 prospects.

86. Jeremy Bracco, RW, Maple Leafs: Despite rumors all last offseason that Bracco would be playing junior hockey, he trudged off to Boston College in September – then lasted all of five games before bolting for OHL Kitchener. He posted 64 points in 49 games for the Rangers, which was more or less about what I expected. Bracco is an elite playmaker, but is short (5-foot-9) and quite light (170 pounds), and perceived attitude issues have dogged him in the past. The fact that he left BC so quickly was not good for his reputation, although no one really knows why he bothered to go there at all. Bracco was the 61st pick in the 2015 draft, although I had him rated as a first-round talent. He needs to bulk up considerably, but the skill set is there for him to turn into a second-liner at the NHL level.

87. Riley Tufte, LW, Stars: Tufte is all about potential at this point, but boy, does he have a boatload of it. Spending half of his draft season beating up on overmatched high-school kids did nothing to aid Tufte's development. He did score 10 goals in 27 USHL games, but struggled to find his rhythm playing against better competition. There's a good chance that Tufte has a hard time early in his freshman season at Minnesota-Duluth, but he could be considered one of the best picks of the 2016 draft in four or five years. Tufte broke his wrist at the Team USA World Junior Evaluation Camp this summer, but is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

88. Maxim Letunov, C, Sharks: The Coyotes have countless high-quality forward prospects in their system, but I still thought their decision to move Letunov and a sixth-round pick for third- and fourth-round picks was a very shortsighted move. Originally a second-round selection by St. Louis in 2014, Letunov did all that anyone could have asked in his freshman season at the University of Connecticut, posting 40 points in 36 games. Letunov isn't a great skater and he needs to bulk up, but he has the frame (6-foot-4) and hands to turn into a very productive pro player. Consistency has been an issue at times, but Letunov's a high-ceiling prospect who never should have been dealt for a pair of later draft picks.

89. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Wild: Undersized Russian forwards are among the most difficult commodities in the game to analyze, and Kaprizov is no exception coming off a more-than-respectable year (11 goals, 27 points in 53 games) as an 18-year-old in the KHL. Like many small players, Kaprizov is quick and shifty, but he isn't going to be of much use if he isn't playing in a top-six role. Kaprizov is one giant lottery ticket at this point, more so than any other player on this year's top 100, if for no other reason than that no one really has any idea when he plans to come over to North America. Still, Kaprizov is exactly the type of high-upside player who should be picked in the middle rounds of the NHL Entry Draft.

90. Ivan Barbashev, LW, Blues: To say that 2015-16 was a dreadful season for Barbashev would be a massive understatement. Many, myself included, felt he would play a large role in St. Louis; instead, he spent a quiet season in the AHL. The Russian winger finished with just 10 goals and 28 points in 65 games, a far cry from his dominant seasons in the QMJHL prior to turning pro. Barbashev has had consistency issues in the past, but never ad bad as last season's. He's a hard worker and a good playmaker, but he struggled so badly last year that it's fair to wonder what his floor is at this point.

91. Vince Dunn, D, Blues: Dunn was banged up for much of this past season, but he was productive once again (12 goals, 43 points in 51 games) when he managed to suit up for OHL Niagara. Dunn is an offensive-minded defenseman who excels at rushing the puck up the ice and making smart outlet passes to his teammates. He's on the small side (6-foot, 185 pounds) and the physical aspect of the game is virtually non-existent for him, but he makes up for that with good positioning and by rarely making high-risk plays with the puck. I've long viewed Dunn as one of the more underrated prospects in the league; expect him to take another significant step forward this year.

92. Nikita Scherbak, RW, Canadiens: A pair of injuries resulted in Scherbak not finding his stride in 2015-16 until after the All-Star break. He dealt with a lower-body injury early on, worked his way back into the lineup, then was caught with his head down cutting through the middle of the ice by Toronto Marlies defenseman Viktor Loov – an injury that resulted in the enigmatic Russian missing the next 22 games. His responsibility increased later in the season as Montreal recalled numerous players from their AHL club, but his lack of defensive awareness and inconsistent effort level led to mixed results. Scherbak tries to do too much by himself and has a tendency to drift in the offensive zone, which leads to difficulty establishing chemistry with his teammates. These appear to be fixable issues with better coaching, but Scherbak isn't going to improve if he spends another 30 games on IR this season.

93. Alex Nedeljkovic, G, Hurricanes: Nedeljkovic's OHL numbers have always been pretty lousy, but at World Juniors this season as the unquestioned starter for Team USA, he showed how effective he can be with a decent team around him. In six games during the tournament, he finished with a 1.66 GAA and a .943 save percentage, making countless big saves while leading Team USA to the bronze medal. Nedeljkovic isn't big (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) but he's very athletic and rarely gets caught out of position. The goaltending depth in the Carolina system is nonexistent, so the 20-year-old could make an NHL impact sooner than expected.

94. Danny O'Regan, C, Sharks: This past season, O'Regan put to rest any concerns that his monster junior year at Boston University was strictly the result of playing alongside Jack Eichel. He posted 44 points in 39 games in his senior season, and other than a poor sophomore season, was a consistently above-average performer throughout college. O'Regan had the right to become an unrestricted free agent in August due to the fact that he played four full years of college hockey, but he signed an entry-level deal in April with the team that spent a fifth-round pick on him in 2012. He's a gifted playmaker who should at the very least be a talented third-line center who can chip in 15-plus goals. After four years with the Terriers, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he helps the Sharks at some point this season.

95. Jayce Hawryluk, C, Panthers: In 58 games for WHL Brandon this past season, these were Hawryluk's numbers: 47 goals, 106 points, 101 penalty minutes, plus-59 rating. Those numbers sum up everything you need to know about Hawryluk: He's tough, he can score, and he works his tail off in both zones. Hawryluk is small (5-foot-10, 185 pounds), so he may have to alter his game a tad when he turns pro this year, but his ability to do a bunch of different things on the ice makes him an underrated and high-upside prospect.

96. Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, C, Bruins: JFK spent two years in the USHL before enrolling at Boston University, so it came as no surprise that he adapted to the college game quickly. He posted 30 points in 39 games for the Terriers, gaining more responsibility as the season went along. I'm not entirely convinced that Forsbacka-Karlsson has enough offensive ability to fill a top-six role, but his proximity to the NHL (he may only need one more year at BU despite being just 19 years old) raises his value significantly. At worst, the Bruins figure to have a solid third-line center on their hands.

97. Dante Fabbro, D, Predators: A year from now, when he has a full season at Boston University under his belt, I imagine that Fabbro will either be ranked much higher on this list or off it entirely. Fabbro had an insane year (14 goals, 67 points in 45 games) for Penticton of the BCHL, but I'm still not entirely convinced he has above-average offensive ability. It's possible he's more of a solid two-way defender who won't hurt Nashville in any one area, but there's certainly potential for more. Fabbro only turned 18 in June, so he's going to be awfully young when the season begins, but I'll be shocked if he doesn't take on a significant role with the Terriers from the day he steps on campus.

98. Esa Lindell, D, Stars: Lindell's stellar play in his first North American campaign allowed the Stars to make virtually no changes to their blue line this offseason. They let Kris Russell and Jason Demers walk while signing Dan Hamhuis, which should seemingly open a spot for Lindell. The Finn posted 14 goals and 42 points in 73 AHL games, and he did so while looking better defensively than many expected. Lindell's combination of size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), mobility and vision, makes him a potential impact defender at the NHL level. He played parts of three seasons professionally in Finland before coming across the pond, so Lindell has plenty of experience competing against men and makes for a sneaky fantasy pick this season.

99. Oliver Kylington, D, Flames: Playing in the AHL as an 18-year-old, Kylington predictably struggled for most of the 2015-16 season, finishing with five goals, 12 points and a minus-15 rating in 47 games. The Flames recalled him for one game late in the season, but the promotion wasn't based upon merit. Kylington is a terrific skater and a brilliant passer, but he struggles with the issues that plague many young blueliners: consistency and defensive-zone coverage. He has a very high ceiling, but the Flames are deep on the blue line and Kylington clearly has some developing left to do.

100. Jordan Greenway, LW, Wild: Greenway's freshman season at Boston University got off to a dreadful start, but he picked up his game around Christmas time and never looked back. He ended up with just five goals in 39 games, but added 21 assists and 58 penalty minutes. From a physical standpoint, the monstrous Greenway (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) is ready to play in the NHL right now – ge has the size and strength to completely dominate opposing defensemen. Power forwards tend to take longer to develop than other forwards, but the strides Greenway made late in the year are very positive signs for his future. Because he's so physically mature, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could be ready to turn pro after just one more year of college.