Prospects Analysis: Top-100 Midseason Edition

With the 2015-16 NHL season at its halfway point, it is time to update our list of the top 100 prospects in hockey.

(Notes: Players with 25 games or more of NHL regular season experience are not included and while Connor McDavid is yet to reach that total due to the injury he suffered early in the season, he has been "graduated" from the list. He would be the number one prospect by a mile if he were still included.)

1. Mitch Marner (F-TOR) - Marner's ceiling is higher than any other player on this list. His performance in the third period of Canada's quarterfinal loss to Finland at the World Juniors was simply dominant. He has been unstoppable for London (OHL) with 24 goals and 61 points in just 27 games this season.

2. Dylan Strome (F-ARI) - A ton of players graduated from the list that we put out at the start of the season, but Strome is clearly one of the best players still eligible. He's tall and lanky, but his hands are elite and he is an extremely smart player. He isn't the best skater in the world, but his hockey IQ more than makes up for it. No one has been able to stop Strome at the junior level. He has 55 points in 27 games for Erie (OHL).

3. William Nylander (F-TOR) - It's a real shame that a dirty hit in Sweden's opening game knocked Nylander out for the remainder of the World Juniors. His defensive game still needs work, but his offensive skills are as good as any prospect in the world. He's ready to help the Leafs right now, but they are smartly taking it slowly with him. The AHL tends to be a fairly low scoring league, but Nylander has 34 points in 27 games for the Marlies. Reports indicate that the injury could cost Nylander as much as month's worth of action.

4. Zach Werenski (D-CBJ) - Werenski's performance in the World Juniors was extraordinary. He has top-flight offensive skills and the smarts to control a game for the back end. I would be surprised if he didn't turn pro at the end of the season. Werenski has nothing to gain by playing a third season at the University of Michigan.

5. Connor Hellebuyck (G-WPG) - If there was any doubt that Hellebuyck was the most talented goaltender in the Jets system, that has pretty much been put to rest with his play during the early part of his NHL career. He's big and remarkably calm for such a young kid. He should be Winnipeg's starter the rest of the season.

6. Mathew Barzal (F-NYI) - Barzal was the last forward to make Team Canada's roster for the World Juniors, but he showed very well in Helsinki. It's insane that all the Isles had to give up to get him was Griffin Reinhart. The constant playmaker, Barzal has 45 points (34 assists) in 27 games for Seattle (WHL).

7. Anthony Mantha (F-DET) - Mantha's second AHL season is going far better than his first. He seems far more engaged and he is producing offensively (23P in 28GP). He remains an extremely high-risk prospect, but his ceiling is through the roof.

8. Christian Dvorak (F-ARI) - Dvorak has been the best player in the OHL this year, proving that the massive step forward he took last year was far from a fluke. He is second in OHL scoring (69P in 29GP) despite the fact his season got a late start due to injury and he missed time while playing for Team USA at the World Juniors.

9. Pavel Buchnevich (F-NYR) - The Rangers were hoping to get Buchnevich into their lineup later this season, but he was recently traded to playoff bound St. Petersburg of the KHL, so they'll likely have to wait until next year, although St. Petersburg is going to attempt to re-sign him. Buchnevich has the offensive ability to make an immediate impact similar to that of fellow Russians Vladimir Tarasenko and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

10. Ivan Provorov (D-PHI) - Provorov has the skills and smarts to be playing in the NHL right now. He thinks the game extremely well and also has more than enough natural ability to contribute offensively. I'd be surprised if he wasn't playing in Philadelphia next season. He has nothing to gain by returning to the WHL.

11. Mikko Rantanen (F-COL) - Rantanen looked overmatched during his brief six-game trial to begin the season, but he has been more than a point-per-game player (26P in 22GP) since being assigned to the AHL. He was effective, although not spectacular for Finland in their run to the gold medal at the World Juniors.

12. Kevin Fiala (F-NSH) - It's no secret Nashville is in the hunt for offensive help (it's what led them to trade for Ryan Johansen), but they still haven't given Fiala a look this season. By all accounts his play for Milwaukee (AHL) has been fairly mediocre. He should get a shot with the Preds as soon as he starts playing some consistent hockey.

13. Michael Dal Colle (F-NYI) - It's been a rough, rough season for the former fifth overall pick. Dal Colle had just eight goals in 30 games for Oshawa before being dealt to Kingston on New Year's Day. He was also once again one of the first cuts from Team Canada's final World Junior camp. I expect a second half resurgence.

14. Jakub Vrana (F-WSH) - Vrana hasn't been able to play since late October due to a wrist injury that required surgery. He is scheduled to miss somewhere between three and four months. As long as he is able to return to AHL action for the later part of the season, his numbers will be largely irrelevant.

15. Shea Theodore (D-ANA) - Theodore has been called up due to the injury suffered by Cam Fowler and I wouldn't be surprised if he never played another minor league game. His offensive skill combined with his ability to play major minutes should be a major benefit to the struggling Ducks.

16. Kyle Connor (F-WPG) - Connor wasn't named to Team USA for the World Juniors, a mistake that seems to be indefensible. He's having a huge freshman season at the University of Michigan with 15 goals and 31 points in 19 games.

17. Brayden Point (F-TB) - Point was the best player in the WHL (43P in 19GP) before a shoulder injury cost him nearly six weeks worth of action. He was deemed healthy enough to play for Team Canada at the World Juniors, but he didn't look like himself.

18. Nick Ritchie (F-ANA) - I thought Ritchie would struggle with the transition to professional hockey, but he already has 14 goals in his first 23 games for AHL San Diego. His strong play earned him an 11-game trial with Anaheim earlier in the season.

19. Ilya Samsonov (G-WSH) - Samsonov has been playing lights out for Magnitogorsk of the KHL (1.87 GAA, .929 save percentage), so of course he spent the majority of the World Juniors on the bench. He's getting serious playing time in arguably the second best league in the world as an 18-year-old.

20. Jimmy Vesey (F-NSH) - Vesey's stellar play for Harvard (10G, 23P in 14GP) has surprised no one, but Nashville has to be seriously concerned about the fact that Vesey can become an UFA this summer if he decides he doesn't want to sign with the Preds. Vesey's dad is working as a scout for Toronto.

21. Anthony DeAngelo (D-TB) - DeAngelo is putting up points (20 in 34GP) in his first AHL season, but his improved defensive play is the big news. Tampa is looking for offensive help on their blueline, so you have to wonder if they will give DeAngelo a look later this season.

22. Timo Meier (F-SJ) - Meier played pretty well at the World Juniors, serving as captain for a bad Switzerland team. He has 11 goals in 23 QMJHL after potting 44 goals in 61 games last season. Meier was traded from Halifax to Rouyn-Noranda on January 6.

23. Travis Sanheim (D-PHI) - Add Sanheim to the list of top prospects who have been banged up early this year. He was healthy enough to play from Canada at the World Juniors, but he was shockingly quiet during the tournament. He brings a dynamic element from the backend that few prospects can match.

24. Mike Reilly (D-MIN) - Reilly's first pro season has been as expected. He has earned a couple of recalls, though he has only played a handful of games. He's ready to help the Wild offensively, but they are smartly taking their time in working him into the lineup.

25. Matt Murray (G-MIN) - Murray's stellar play from last year has carried over to this season. He has a 1.74 GAA in 19 AHL games and he played exceptionally (1.72 GAA) while briefly filling in for an injured Marc-Andre Fleury earlier this year. If the Pens wanted to do something radical and deal Fleury, Murray is more than ready to take over. Considering the goaltending situation of many teams around the league, Murray also has a ton of trade value.

26. Josh Morrissey (D-WPG) - Morrissey's first full pro season has been a disaster. Known for his offensive abilities, he has just eight points in 31 AHL games and the vast majority of them have come in the last two weeks. He is too talented to continue to struggle this badly, but his lack of production is a big concern.

27. Josh Ho-Sang (F-NYI) - As usual, Ho-Sang continues to produce offensively (48P in 35GP) in the OHL. It's anyone's guess if he will keep his head on straight over the coming seasons, but he is not far away from helping the Islanders on the ice.

28. Pavel Zacha (F-NJ) - The Devils wanted Zacha to make their club, but he just wasn't ready yet and they smartly shipped him back to the OHL. His ceiling is very high, but he remains a long-term risk. I still think he would be better off on the wing than at center.

29. Nick Schmaltz (F-CHI) - Schmaltz's jump up the rankings is the result of his improved defensive play. Long thought of as a guy who cared about nothing other than offense, Schmaltz has made a major impact at the University of North Dakota this season in all three zones. His playmaking ability (26A in 20GP) is as good as anyone on this list.

30. Brock Boeser (F-VAN) - Playing alongside Schmaltz, Boeser has 13 goals in his first 21 collegiate games. He was an impact player for Team USA at the World Juniors and his stock has been steadily on the rise since he was drafted 23rd overall this past June.

31. Anthony Beauvillier (F-NYI) - While not big, Beauvillier is an explosive offensive player, as shown by his 41 points in 21 QMJHL games. He needs to beef up, but he has the smarts to contribute offensively and he has shown real leadership qualities throughout his junior career.

32. Travis Konecny (F-PHI) - Konecny, due to his history of concussions, remains a serious long-term injury list, but he is very effective whenever he is able to play. He works his tail off, has good hands and will do anything to help his team win. He was recently traded from Ottawa (OHL) to Sarnia.

33. Colin White (F-OTT) - I had White pegged as a third-liner when I first saw him play, but he has 23 points in just 16 games at Boston College this season and he was terrific playing on Team USA's first line at the World Juniors alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk. I'm not making a direct comparison, but this is almost identical to what Dylan Larkin's long-term potential appeared to be when he first enrolled at the University of Michigan.

34. Evgeni Svechnikov (F-DET) - Svechnikov's World Junior performance was a rousing failure (he didn't have a point in seven games), but somehow Russia still managed to win the silver medal. Known for his hands and all-world shot, Svechnikov is in good hands in the Wings system. He has 39 points in 27 QMJHL games this season.

35. Alex Tuch (F-MIN) - Tuch has not had a standout sophomore season at Boston College, but I still think he should have been on the American World Junior team. His ability to dominate below the goal line would have been a real asset playing against other kids on a big ice surface. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a big second half.

36. Oliver Bjorkstrand (F-CBJ) - Bjorkstrand's numbers in his first AHL season aren't pretty (3G, 6P in 18GP), but he spent nearly five weeks on the sideline starting in late October with an upper-body injury. He's back in the lineup now and I expect his numbers to improve rapidly.

37. Brady Skjei (F-NYR) - Skjei is ready to help the Rangers right now, but they just don't have room for him at the moment. It seems as if Keith Yandle will almost certainly be traded before the deadline and the Rangers would also be smart to try and unload Marc Staal. Skjei, who is a terrific skater and very smart defenseman, could easily be one of New York's regulars on defense by the time the postseason rolls around.

38. Sonny Milano (F-CBJ) - Milano's natural ability is evident, but I'm still concerned about his game. By all accounts he is struggling massively in his first pro season and while he looked pretty good at the World Juniors, he doesn't use his teammates enough and I am not entirely convinced that he will be able to fix the problem anytime soon.

39. Ryan Pulock (D-NYI) - It's embarrassing that the Isles are running out defensemen like Brian Strait, Marek Zidlicky, Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield while Pulock rots away in the minors. He's yet to make his NHL debut and although I would try to limit his minutes at even-strength, his shot could be a huge asset on the power play.

40. Jake Virtanen (F-VAN) - Virtanen is a goal-scorer, but he doesn't seem to think the game particularly well. He's prone to taking bad penalties and he doesn't seem to be in the right spot very often. I wouldn't have him playing in the NHL, but the Canucks disagree.

41. Brendan Perlini (F-ARI) - Perlini often gets lost in the shuffle when talking about all the other quality prospects in the Arizona system, but he is quietly going about his business in the OHL. He has 14 goals in 28 games and he should be ready to contribute at the professional level next season.

42. Kasperi Kapanen (F-TOR) - Kapanen won Finland the gold medal by scoring in overtime against Russia, but he has been banged up a bit and been limited to just 17 AHL games, in which he has 10 points. He has top-six potential, but he's not on the level of prospects like Marner and Nylander.

43. Michael McCarron (F-MTL) - McCarron's dominant first half has caused him to surge up the rankings. He has 13 goals and 25 points in 33 AHL games and he even earned a brief two-game stint in Montreal. McCarron has always had the physical gifts to dominate, but it took him a while to learn how to use his size to his advantage.

44. Juuse Saros (G-NSH) - Saros' first AHL season has been a success, as he is currently sporting a 2.46 GAA and .918 save percentage. It's not often that a goalie under six-feet tall succeeds in the NHL these days, but the 20-year-old Finn will be an exception to the rule. He would be a far better option than Carter Hutton should anything happen to starter Pekka Rinne.

45. Adam Erne (F-TB) - Erne missed six weeks due to a hand injury, but he has played well since returning to the Syracuse (AHL) lineup. Overall, Erne has 12 points in 21 games in his first pro season and he has been playing with Jonathan Drouin since Drouin was demoted to the AHL.

46. Jon Gillies (G-CGY) - It will be a lost year for Gillies, who underwent hip surgery after appearing in seven AHL games and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. I fully believe that Gillies would have earned significant playing time in the NHL this season if he had not been injured.

47. Madison Bowey (D-WSH) - Bowey has been so-so in his first pro season in the AHL, showing glimpses of the ability that make him a top prospect, but also struggling at times. He has the tools to impact the game in all three zones and his mobility and right-handed shot make him an asset on the power play.

48. Thatcher Demko (G-VAN) - It would have been better for the Canucks if Demko turned pro this year instead of returning to Boston College for his junior year, but he has totally dominated Hockey East with a 1.72 GAA and .936 save percentage in 18 games. I'd be shocked if he played a fourth collegiate season, but I would not be shocked if he was making starts in Vancouver next year.

49. Thomas Chabot (D-OTT) - After watching more of Chabot, I like him a bit more than I did leading up to this summer's draft. He thinks the game well, has above-average size and he can contribute offensively. I thought he was Canada's best defenseman at the World Juniors.

50. Nicolas Petan (F-WPG) - Petan got limited playing time in his 14-game trial with the Jets earlier this season (he had one goal and no assists) and he was a healthy scratch on numerous occasions, but I am worried about his lack of size. There have always been concerns about Petan's slight frame and he will struggle to play if he isn't in a top-six role. His stock has taken a bit of a hit, but his offensive skills still give him a shot to be a quality NHL regular.

51. Jake Walman (D-STL) - I love Walman. He has a ridiculous 12 goals and 21 points in 16 games for Providence College and he certainly would have made the Canadian World Junior team if he didn't injure his shoulder in Hockey East play right before the tournament. He needs to bulk up, but he is one of the better under-the-radar prospects in the entire league.

52. Daniel Sprong (F-PIT) - I was very high on Sprong leading up to the draft in June, but I thought it was a mistake for the Penguins to keep him on their roster to start the year. He ended up playing 18 games in Pittsburgh, but he was a healthy scratch on far too many occasions and he has since been sent back to the QMJHL where I expect him to dominate for the remainder of the season.

53. Julius Honka (D-DAL) - Despite the fact he only turned 20-years old in December, Honka is in his second full AHL season. Honka isn't as big as fellow Dallas teammate John Klingberg, but they play a similar game. Honka skates very well and he is a major asset on the power play. He's playing very well for Texas.

54. Oliver Kylington (D-CGY) - Kylington really struggled in his draft year and dropped to the last pick of the second-round in June where Calgary snatched him up. They have him playing in the AHL, where he has nine points in 26 games. It's a great learning experience for such a young player. He has all the physical gifts to be an impact defenseman in the NHL. He is probably two solid years away from duty in Calgary.

55. Kerby Rychel (F-CBJ) - The Jackets have shown no interest in giving Rychel a meaningful chance and I expect him to eventually be traded. He continues to play well in the AHL (20P in 21GP) and I imagine that he has considerable trade value. There's plenty of NHL teams who would be willing to give him major minutes right now.

56. Ville Pokka (D-CHI) - Pokka is a better option than Rob Scuderi, Erik Gustafsson and probably Trevor vanRiemsdyk, but Chicago has yet to give him an opportunity. Pokka has been playing against men for the last five seasons (three in his native Finland, two in the AHL) and he deserves a chance. The problem is that his strengths (puck movement, power-play skills) aren't a need of the 'Hawks at the moment.

57. Samuel Morin (D-PHI) - Morin is getting major minutes in his first AHL season, which is exactly where he should be as a 20-year-old. Morin is so big (6-6, 215 pounds) that he can still look a bit awkward at times, but he has the frame to dominate in his own zone and he has better hands than you would think for a kid his size.

58. Nikolay Goldobin (F-SJ) - Goldobin got into nine games with the Sharks earlier this year, he scored his first NHL goal ,and has since been reassigned to the AHL, where he is playing very well (11G, 17P in 24GP). Goldobin has a terrific, quick release and I expect him to get another chance in San Jose before the season is over.

59. Vladislav Kamenev (F-NSH) - Like many Russian prospects, Kamenev remains a risk. The Preds did a nice job of convincing him to come to North America for this season, and he has played well (14P in 24GP) for Milwaukee (AHL). Kamenev offers little defensively, but he has terrific offensive instincts. When he was drafted in the second round in 2014, I was concerned that he may never have come over to North America.

60. Brandon Montour (D-ANA) - You probably won't see Montour ranked this highly anywhere else, but I am all in on the 21-year-old defender. Montour played briefly last year at the University of Massachusetts and left to turn pro later in the year. This year he has played 32 AHL games and he has 30 points. A power play, puck-moving specialist, all Montour needs to do to earn an NHL audition is to bulk up a bit.

61. Jake DeBrusk (F-BOS) - DeBrusk doesn't have the physical gifts that some of the other players on the list do, but he makes up for it with smart play and he always works his tail off. He was recently traded from Swift Current (WHL) to Red Deer, and between the two franchises he has a combined 14 goals and 36 points in 28 games.

62. Ivan Barbashev (F-STL) - Considering the injury situation in St. Louis these days, I am a little surprised that Barbashev hasn't gotten a recall yet. A very talented playmaker, he has 17 points in 29 AHL games and I think he could help the Blues right now in a top-six role. If all they plan on doing are giving him fourth-line minutes, I'd leave him in the minors to develop.

63. Charles Hudon (F-MTL) - Hudon's play last year in his first pro season surprised many, but he's always been extremely effective when he isn't hurt. He is a very strong second AHL season, with 23 points in 31 games. He has also played in two games for the Canadiens. He is just about ready for full-time NHL duty.

64. Lawson Crouse (F-FLA) - Sorry, but I am still not buying stock in Crouse. He's big, strong and can dominate physically, but I question his ability to score and I am not totally convinced he will be an impact NHL player. I could end up very wrong here, but I don't see the skill set of a top-six forward. He also isn't having a particualry good season in the OHL (24P in 22GP).

65. Chris Bigras (D-COL) - Bigras is clearly a better option than some of the defenders the Avalanche are running out there these days, but he still hasn't been given a chance at the NHL level. Bigras turned his career around last year in his final junior season and he has carried over his fine play to his first pro season (19P in 37GP). There may be a lack of upside here, but Bigras is a near-lock to be a productive NHL regular.

66. Ty Rattie (F-STL) - Rattie is in his third full AHL season and while he has 17 NHL games on his resume, he is still looking for his first NHL goal. Rattie has always been an elite goal scorer, with terrific hands and a knack for finding the soft spots in a defense, but he isn't a good skater and he's not very strong. He has clear top-six forward upside, but he could max out as a really good minor leaguer.

67. Ville Husso (G-STL) - Husso is having his third straight standout season in his native Finland, with a 2.09 GAA and .925 save percentage in 25 games. Husso will be just about NHL-ready whenever the Blues are finally able to bring him over to North America.

68. Haydn Fleury (D-CAR) - Fleury has been considerably better this season for Red Deer (WHL) than he was last year, but he still doesn't look like a guy who was worthy of being the seventh overall pick in 2014. His size, strength and ability to chip in offensively make him a pretty complete package, but Fleury is yet to put it all together.

69. Nikita Scherbak (F-MTL) - Scherbak has been out since mid-November with an upper body injury that was the result of him taking a huge hit as he skated through center ice with his head down. He also missed six games earlier in the year with a foot injury. Overall, Scherbak has played just nine games for AHL St. John's. The team is hoping to get him back in late January.

70. Connor Brown (F-TOR) - Brown broke his ankle in late October and is yet to return to the Marlies (AHL) lineup. He has started practicing and he is expected to be available in fairly short order, but thus far he has been limited to just eight games. Brown is trying to follow up a stellar first pro season when he posted 61 points in 76 games.

71. Sebastian Aho (F-CAR) - Playing alongside draft-eligible forwards Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrick Laine, Aho was dominant at the World Juniors. He posted 14 points in seven games for Finland and he has been equally productive with his club team Karpat, posting 23 points in 27 games. Aho isn't big, but he's shifty and rarely gets hit. He has raised his stock a ton since the Hurricanes made him the 35th overall pick this past June.

72. Nick Merkley (F-ARI) - Merkley relies on his terrific on-ice vision to be successful. He is a great playmaker who will make his living setting up his teammates. He is having another good season for Kelowna (WHL) with 37 points in 33 games, he works his tail off every shift and is always willing to go to the difficult areas of the ice to be productive.

73. Malcolm Subban (G-BOS) - With no apparent role for him in Boston, Subban is slogging through his third AHL season. He has played decently (2.65 GAA, .907 save percentage), although his numbers have dipped quite a bit from last year. I still think Subban will eventually be traded. A young goalie with his athleticism would be quite popular on the trade marker.

74. Andreas Athanasiou (F-DET) - It took Athanasiou a while to find his game in both his junior career and early in his pro career, but he finally seems to have found his stride. One of the best skating prospects in the league, Athanasiou has 16 points in 21 games for Grand Rapids (AHL) and he got a brief six-game look in Detroit and tallied his first NHL goal.

75. Mike Matheson (D-FLA) - I have been quite disappointed with Matheson's play the last year-plus. I originally viewed him as a guy who had the potential to be a top-pairing defenseman, but it's starting to look like he may end up being more of a depth guy. Matheson is in his first pro season, so he still has time on his side, but he doesn't offer much defensively and he isn't doing much to help his team if he isn't putting up points. He has 10 points in 31 AHL games this season.

76. Nicolas Kerdiles (F-ANA) - Kerdiles has size, speed and skill, but he is another young player struggling to find his way. He dealt with a ton of injuries last season and with just nine points in 29 games, he is yet to find his form this year. I expected him to be in the NHL by now, but he hasn't developed as hoped.

77. Jacob Larsson (D-ANA) - Larsson needs to work on his play away from the puck, but there's no doubt he has the ability to control a game offensively. He has 10 points in 27 games for Frolunda in Sweden and he looked very strong at the World Juniors.

78. Travis Dermott (D-TOR) - Dermott plays a smart, simple game, but he is on this list because he has a chance to be a future power-play quarterback in Toronto. I am not totally convinced that he will be able to handle a regular shift on defense at the NHL level, but his offensive upside is so high that he remains a terrific prospect.

79. Zachary Senyshyn (F-BOS) - Senyshyn is finally getting his chance at major playing time for Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) and he has responded with 26 goals and 37 points in 38 games. By comparison, he had 26 goals in 66 games last year. One of my favorite players available in this past summer's draft, Senyshyn has the natural ability to be considerably higher on this list by the end of the season.

80. Jeremy Bracco (F-TOR) - Bracco has earned a reputation, perhaps unfairly, as having a major attitude problem. The fact he left Boston College after just five games didn't help matters. He wasn't even invited to the final United States World Junior evaluation camp and he is currently playing for Kitchener in the OHL. Bracco is a great playmaker, but he is extremely weak and he is going to need several years before he is ready to help Toronto.

81. Denis Gurianov (F-DAL) - This is strictly an upside pick. Gurianov was the 12th overall pick this past June, but he isn't getting much playing time in the KHL (he has five points in 37 games) and it's completely unknown as to when he plans to come to North America. The Stars would be well served to try and get him to the AHL as soon as possible.

82. Alex Nedeljkovic (G-CAR) - Nedeljkovic surprised many people, myself included, with his stellar play at the World Juniors (1.66 GAA, .943 save percentage). I thought Team USA would have been better served with Brandon Halverson in net, but I was wrong. Nedeljkovic has spent the majority of his OHL on a bad team, but he was recently traded to Niagara and he has been terrific since joining the Ice Dogs. Nedeljkovic should be playing in the AHL next season.

83. Noah Juulsen (D-MTL) - Juulsen has a bit more offensively ability than he gets credit for, but he is going to make his living as an understated, smart two-way defenseman who can play major minutes. He may not be the type of player who is ever of much use in fantasy leagues, but he is a big part of Montreal's future.

84. Vince Dunn (D-STL) - I thought Dunn would have been a decent pick at the very end of the first round this past summer, but he fell all the way to 56th overall. Dunn isn't big, but he is a very good skater and has the tools to be a huge asset on the power play. As long as he can bulk up a bit and work on his play in his own zone, Dunn should be a very effective NHL player. He has 28 points in 33 games for Niagara (OHL) this season.

85. Brandon Carlo (D-BOS) - Carlo was drafted because he is huge (6-5, 205 pounds) and can dominate opposing forwards in his own end, but his offensive has made significant strides this season. He played on Team USA's top defensive pair at the World Juniors he has quietly been posting points (14P in 22GP) for Tri-City (WHL).

86. Danny O'Regan (F-SJ) - O'Regan seemed to turn his career around last season playing alongside Jack Eichel at Boston University, and for the most part, he has carried off his fine play despite Eichel moving on to the NHL. O'Regan has 23 points in 20 games in his senior season for the Terriers. Because he played four years of college hockey and hasn't signed with the Sharks, O'Regan can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

87. Jordan Schmaltz (D-STL) - Schmaltz played three productive seasons at the University of North Dakota and he has played well (17 points in 34 games) in his first AHL season. Schmaltz isn't overly physical, but he brings a nice combination of size and skill to the table.

88. Ryan Hartman (F-CHI) - Hartman is probably going to be a third-liner at the NHL level, but he can impact a game in numerous ways. He's a very good penalty killer, he plays physical and he has enough offensive ability to keep defense's honest. He's ready to play in the NHL right now, but there is no role for him in Chicago at the moment.

89. Devin Shore (F-DAL) - Shore has been on this list before and he reappears after a terrific start to his first full pro season. He has 15 goals and 26 points in 23 AHL games and he even earned a brief three-game stint in Dallas earlier in the year. It's quite impressive for a guy who wasn't on the Stars radar to begin the year. He was a good offensive player during his three seasons at the University of Maine, but no one saw this explosion coming.

90. Hunter Shinkaruk (F-VAN) - Shinkaruk looks nothing like the guy who slogged his way through his first pro season last year. He has 15 goals and 27 points in 30 AHL games and he made his NHL debut early in the year. Shinkaruk has always been an extremely gifted offensive player, but he was always inconsistent and a liability defensively. The Canucks have to be thrilled with how he has turned his game around this season.

91. Jason Dickinson (F-DAL) - Dickinson rarely gets talked about amongst the game's top prospects, but he has good size, good hands and has been very productive (26P in 37GP) in his first AHL season. He was always an above-average offensive player in his junior days, but he never scored more than 27 goals in a season for Guelph (OHL). He's an under-the-radar guy to keep an eye on.

92. J.T. Compher (F-COL) - Compher was dealt from Buffalo to Colorado in the deal that sent Ryan O'Reilly to the Sabres. Compher is having his best offensive season (27P in 19GP) at the University of Michigan while serving as the team's captain. I think he's probably a quality third-liner on a good NHL team, but there's potential for a bit more.

93. Adrian Kempe (F-LA) - Kempe continues to show more offensively (18P in 23 AHL GP) than was expected of him when he was drafted. He also played well for Sweden is his second World Junior tournament. Kempe is big and works hard, but he doesn't have great hands. If nothing else, his willingness to play a physical game should make Kempe an effective role player at the NHL level.

94. Emile Poirier (F-CGY) - It's been a struggle for Poirier in his second AHL season (12P in 27GP). After his breakout 2014-15 campaign in which he put up 42 points in 55 AHL games and earned a six-game stint in Calgary, Poirier has taken a step backwards this year. He has an intriguing mix of size and skill, although he has been banged up quite a bit over his career.

95. Dmytro Timashov (F-TOR) - It's laughable that Timashov fell all the way to the fifth round this past June. The Leafs snatched him up and now they have a guy whom I think is a top-100 prospect. Timashov has 57 points in 30 QMJHL games and he was recently dealt from Quebec to Shawinigan. He was also a standout performer for Sweden at the World Juniors. The knock on Timashov is that he's slight and offers little defensively, but his offensive upside outweighs those concerns.

96. Rocco Grimaldi (F-FLA) - I am starting to think that Grimaldi might just be too small to have a real offensive role at the NHL level. He's listed at 5-6, although that might be an inch generous. Grimaldi is shifty and doesn't get hit much, but his size just might be too much for him to overcome. He has great hands and is very good on the power play, but it's been a struggle during the 21 NHL games he has played.

97. Griffin Reinhart (D-EDM) - How the mighty have fallen. There's no doubt that the Oilers gave up far too much to get Reinhart this summer, but their defensive situation is so bad that it's hard to blame them for making the move. Reinhart on the other hand, can't seem to get his act together. Reinhart is currently playing in the AHL while the Oilers continue to dress guys such as Brandon Davidson, Brad Hunt and Mark Fayne. Reinhart's decision making has been surprisingly inefficient and he offers little offensively. He is still probably going to have a career as an NHL regular, but he might be a third-pairing guy.

98. Maxim Letunov (F-ARI) - The Coyotes stole Letunov from the Blues when they dealt Zbynek Michalek to St. Louis in March. Letunov gets shockingly little press because he elected to play at the University of Connecticut, where he has 23 points in 21 games in his freshman season, but he has good hands and a big shot. He is a real good prospect for deeper dynasty league owners.

99. Miles Wood (F-NJ) - Wood shockingly made the United States World Junior team last year despite the fact he was playing prep school hockey in Massachusetts and he predictably did little while serving as the team's thirteenth forward. This season Wood is playing in his freshman season at Boston College as a twenty-year-old and he has 20 points in 18 games. I expected a considerable adjustment period and I am very surprised he has been so productive so quickly. It bodes well for his future.

100. Mitchell Stephens (F-TB) - Stephens has a lot of upside as an all-around player who does a ton of different things to help his team win. He was effective in his role for Canada at the World Juniors and he has played well for Saginaw (OHL), although he missed a bunch of time early in the year due to an injury.

Graduated

Connor McDavid (F-EDM)*
Jack Eichel (F-BUF)
Nikolaj Ehlers (F-WPG)
Sam Bennett (F-CGY)
Andrei Vasilevskiy (G-TB)
Max Domi (F-ARI)
Darnell Nurse (D-EDM)
Noah Hanifin (D-CAR)
Sam Reinhart (F-BUF)
Dylan Larkin (F-DET)
Robby Fabbri (F-STL)
Anthony Duclair (F-ARI)
Shayne Gostisbehere (D-PHI)
Andrew Copp (F-WPG)

Dropped Off

Kevin Roy (F-ANA)
Adam Tambellini (F-NYR)
Steve Santini (D-NJ)
Nick Paul (F-OTT)
Remi Elie (F-DAL)
Ian McCoshen (D-FLA)
Alexander Khokhlachev (F-BOS)
Mark McNeill (F-CHI)
Valentin Zykov (F-LA)
Hudson Fasching (F-BUF)