NHL Prospect Watch -- Northwest Division

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Calgary Flames
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Colorado Avalanche
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Edmonton Oilers
Name: Jordan Eberle
Acquired: EDM 1st round 2008, 22nd overall
Position/Projection: First line scoring forward
Report: A steal at #22 in the '08 draft, Eberle has offense to burn. He's arguably ready for the big leagues right now, but the Oilers management is letting him round out his skills in the AHL for the season, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get a quick look late in the year. Although not a defensive specialist, Eberle is no slouch as a backchecker, and with his skating and positioning could become a dangerous penalty killer. He's scoring at a point-per-game level in Springfield right now, leading the first-place Falcons.

Name: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson
Acquired: EDM 1st round 2009, 10th overall
Position/Projection: First line winger
Report: Paajarvi-Svensson is a classic sniper, and should form a dynamite pairing with Eberle for years to come for the Oil. He too is probably ready to make the jump, but is getting valuable seasoning in the AHL. Paajarvi-Svensson is 23-15-38 in 48 games in Springfield.

Name: Ben Wright
Acquired: Trade with CBS (CBS 4th round 2006, 113th overall)
Position/Projection: 3/4 physical D
Report: A rangy, bruising defenseman, Wright should be thundering his way around Edmonton ice by next season. Wright also has a big shot that he could further develop, although he hasn't shown much sign of offensive prowess yet. The only drawbacks to his game are a tendency to get caught out of position somewhat, and a lack of top-end skating ability. Wright has ten points in 45 games with Springfield.

Name: Toni Rajala
Acquired: EDM 4th round 2009, 101st overall
Position/Projection: Sniper, power play specialist
Report: Rajala has the tools to become a truly dangerous sniper in the NHL. He also could become quite a dangerous checking forward, and a big hitter. His major flaw is a lack of consistency, which could hamper or delay his development. He could also be dangled as trade bait for upgrades at other positions for Edmonton. Currently playing with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL.

Name: Jeremy Colliton
Acquired: Free agent (NYI 2nd round 2003, 58th overall)
Position/Projection: 4th line forward
Report: Probably past "prime" age to be considered a prospect, Colliton fits because he is still developing. Once he develops his faceoff skills and gets a little stronger, he should slot in as a full-time checking forward. Colliton is currently playing with Springfield.

Best of the rest:
D Alex Plante -- large physical D, should be up soon
F Riley Nash -- another decent checking forward, not much offense
F Ondrej Fiala -- intriguing late bloomer, with some offensive upside
G Olivier Roy -- decent quality backup G, could start in a pinch


Minnesota Wild
Name: Colton Gillies
Acquired: MIN 1st round 2007, 16th overall
Position/Projection: 2nd/3rd line C
Report: Called up this season. Gillies has improved steadily each and every game. He is a big time hitter who could grow into a defensive role. Gillies' skating is getting better and will continue to do so. So far Gilles has produced a surprising 18 points in 24 games. The extent of his growth this season will determine his future: 2nd line scoring C or 3rd line checking monster. Has more points with the Wild than he did with Houston (9-7-16 in 32 games) so far.

Name: Tyler Cuma
Acquired: MIN 1st round 2008, 23rd overall
Position/Projection: 1st pair offensive D
Report: An underager with the struggling Houston Aeros. Cuma has had an up and down season, which is expected for a player playing in his first year of pro hockey. A decent skater, Cuma's defensive attributes are medicore but there is time for him to improve. Don't be surprised if he has a strong camp with the Wild next season, and making the team. He has four goals and fourteen points in Houston.

Name: Nick Leddy
Acquired: MIN 1st round 2009, 16th overall
Position/Projection: 2nd pair offensive D
Report: For an 18 year old who is playing big time minutes. Nick has shown flashes of what he can become. In 39 games, Nick has registered 4 points and is a -8. Don't expect much from Nick for a good 2 to 3 years, but when he gets there, he could be a decent blueliner with some two-way capability. Is probably struggling with leaving the state of Minnesota for the first time in his hockey life.

Best of the rest:
D Justin Falk -- large stay-at-home D, could feature as a 5/6 guy
D Marco Scandella -- similar to Falk, but needs to bulk up
F Eero Elo -- strong-skating winger with potential on a checking line
G Kuemper, Hackett, Hovinen -- three competent future backup netminders


Vancouver Canucks
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Added EDM.