Ranking the Nashville Predators' Top Ten Prospects

by Chris Burton on Mar 7, 2011 8:53 AM EST

In the interest of sparking some discussion, but not taking away from coverage of the playoff drive, I've ranked and briefly described the Nashville Predators' Top Ten prospects in the system. These rankings are my own, and certainly not definitive - simply meant as food for thought.

Two notes: - 1) the 'comparison' blurb doesn't necessarily mean that's the prospect's talent level, and 2) players such as Colin Wilson (who earlier in his career would take up our "no. 1" spot) and Cody Franson are excluded given their time spent in the NHL already.

10. Austin Watson - W

Style: two-way winger

Projection: key cog on an elite two-way line

Comparison: Patrick Sharp

9. Michael Latta - C

Style: extremely physical, not averse to dropping the gloves

Projection: third line center

Comparison: Mike Richards

8. Blake Geoffrion - C

Style: two-way contributor

Projection: third line center

Comparison: Mike Fisher

7. Patrick Cehlin - W

Style: offensive winger

Projection: 2nd line wing, PP2 contributor

6. Charles Olivier-Roussel - D

Style: extremely physical defenseman with some offensive skill

Projection: a second pair defenseman

Comparison: Brent Seabrook

5. Zach Budish - W

Style: big hitter with soft hands

Projection: second line power forward

Comparison: Chris Stewart

4. Taylor Beck - W

Style: sniper

Projection: second line winger, PP1 contributor

3. Ryan Ellis - D

Style: offensive defenseman

Projection: no. 4 NHL defenseman, PP1 quarterback

Comparison: Alex Goligoski

2. Roman Josi - D

Style: Extremely mobile offensive defenseman

Projection: no. 3 NHL defenseman

Comparison: Kris Letang

1. Jonathon Blum - D

Style: Mobile puck-mover who is equally capable in all three zones

Projection: no. 2 NHL defenseman

Comparison: Dan Hamhuis with more offense

Disagree? Sound off in the comments.

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Comments

I’m really excited to see what guys like Watson and Budish bring to the team, especially Budish. He was a steal in the second round due to his injury, so he could really be something if he pans out.

Puck And Punk blog

by 3DLink on Mar 7, 2011 10:27 AM EST reply actions

agreed on Budish

but his knee problems could also be what cause him to be a bust.

"[Weber] shoots like MacInnis, hits like Stevens." - Jeff Marek

by Chris Burton on Mar 7, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

TOP 3 guys are D-men

The future ain’t so bright in Nashville for Shane O’Brien.

Guys like Cehlin, Beck and Latta are what, a year in Milwaukee away?

Embrace the Black and Blue Checkerboard.

by ExcellenceThroughGuesswork on Mar 7, 2011 10:51 AM EST reply actions

Cehlin is probably closer to the NHL than Beck or Latta because the SEL is a pretty darn tough league to play in.

"[Weber] shoots like MacInnis, hits like Stevens." - Jeff Marek

by Chris Burton on Mar 7, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

happy then sad

you made me happy comparing Watson to one of my favorite NHLers.
Then you made me sad Comparing Geoffrion to Fisher. I just hope you mean Ottawa Senator Mike Fisher, not Nashville Predator Mike Fisher.
All in All, i just hope Ellis doesn’t go the way of Ville Koistinen.

by flyalder on Mar 7, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

Comparisons way to rosey.....

Those comparisons look to be based on the most optimistic assumsions. Most of these kids are 2 years away from making an impact at the NHL level, some even longer. Budish in particular is a long range project, especially with his knee injuries. Ellis is a big question mark as well as to whether his game will translate to the NHL level. A lot of question marks in that bunch to be honest.

by Grizzledbear on Mar 7, 2011 6:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions

the ‘comparison’ blurb doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the prospect’s talent level,

"[Weber] shoots like MacInnis, hits like Stevens." - Jeff Marek

by Chris Burton on Mar 7, 2011 6:34 PM EST up reply actions

I saw that, but......

Austin Watson=Patrick Sharp? That’s quite optimistic……though I hope you’re right!

What that top 10 list clearly indicates is: we have an excess of Dmen prospects and we need to move one or two of them for help at forward.

by Grizzledbear on Mar 7, 2011 7:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

That’s interesting.
What makes you think so highly of Cehlin? Are you basing his ranking on potential? Because he hasn’t been fantastic by any means so far in the SEL. What makes you rank him above any of the various goaltending prospects? And if the ranking is potential based, why is Watson so much lower?
No offense or anything, just curious.

by thecheeseisblue on Mar 7, 2011 9:20 PM EST reply actions

I have high hopes for T.Beck, he’s got size and a scoring touch.

by 901predfan on Mar 7, 2011 10:27 PM EST reply actions

No comparison for Beck or Cehlin?

by LuvthePreds on Mar 7, 2011 10:31 PM EST reply actions

I do agree on this aspect of Chris' assessment

That none of those forwards can really be viewed as 1st liners. Amazing that Rads is still the only legit 1st line forward that we’ve ever drafted. Hard to sign top line UFA talent when you’re a smaller payroll team like ours, gotta get them thru the draft.

by Grizzledbear on Mar 7, 2011 11:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions

How about Mathias Ekholm?

Nobody is talking about this Dman but he has 33 points in 55 games in the SEL and he’s only 20 years old. Compare that to 19 year old F Cehlin’s 16 points.

by Lil cutie on Mar 8, 2011 1:29 AM EST reply actions

oops

Spell it Mattias

by Lil cutie on Mar 8, 2011 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

Blum

I am loving this kid. I do not totally agree witht he Hamhuis comparison though. He seems to be a little bit more rounded. I can see Blum being one of our top 4 within the next two years. Depending on who we keep and who we let go. Franson and Cube are hopefully keepers with our obvious top 2 of Weber and Suter. Klein and O’Brien have their issues with many fans and I don’t believe that many would mind if they were no longer Preds. I like O’Brien okay, just because he brings a physical aspect that I think we lack from most players. (dropping the gloves)

"You tell em I'm coming....and hells coming with me!"

by SinBinPred on Mar 15, 2011 11:01 AM EDT reply actions