Hockey’s Future Top 50 Prospects 26-50, Fall 2008

Here’s excerpts from Hockey’s Future Top 50 Prospects #26-50 (Fall 2008):

27. Ryan McDonagh, D – Montreal Canadiens

McDonagh finished his freshman season with the University of Wisconsin, where he played a significant role on a team that had its share of struggles. A first-round draft pick of the Canadiens in 2007, McDonagh is one of those players who does everything well. His speed and skating ability are tough to match, but he has also got size and strength on his side. He generally makes good decisions on the ice, and is strong in one-on-one play. Because he is in college, the Canadiens will have the option to bring him along slowly if they choose not to offer him the chance to join the professional ranks sooner. Easily the best defensive prospect in Montreal’s system, McDonagh has all of the traits of a potential top pairing defenseman in the NHL.

34. Sergei Kostitsyn, LW – Montreal Canadiens

After beginning the 2007-08 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL, Sergei Kostitsyn joined his older brother Andrei in Montreal and has not looked back since. His finest performance came in the playoffs where he was a key contributor on offense with a total of eight points in 12 games. A gifted playmaker, Kostitsyn also has the ability to find the back of the net. He plays a gritty game, and perhaps more impressive than that, despite his offensive capabilities, he is also responsible in his own end. He will have the opportunity to build upon a solid rookie debut and play a bigger role for the team. For a seventh-round draft pick, the younger Kostitsyn is a true steal for the Canadiens.

45. Max Pacioretty, LW – Montreal Canadiens

After a strong freshman season with the University of Michigan where Pacioretty tallied more than a point per game, the Canadiens decided to offer the gifted young forward a contract. Now he will have the opportunity to shine with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. Pacioretty has both size and grittiness which, combined with strong offensive capabilities, makes him a force on the ice. He should benefit tremendously from the higher level of competition and, if he takes off quickly, he could even see some time in Montreal while still in his first season of professional hockey. If he pulls it all together and progresses as anticipated, Pacioretty will become a top-six power forward in the NHL very soon.

Habster:

It will be interesting to see how many Canadiens prospects will make Hockey’s Future Top 50 prospects. Ryan McDonagh, Sergei Kostitsyn and Max Pacioretty have made the list and I’m sure Carey Price will be in the top 3 when the #1-#25 list is published by Hockey’s Future.

I’m a little surprised Kostitsyn is ranked below McDonagh and Pacioretty since he has already started to establish his NHL career. There must be certain criteria that has to be followed when the ranking are made.