20 College and Minor-League Players Who'll Be in the NHL by Spring 2013

Before a player can step into the NHL, often some additional experience and seasoning is required. College and the minor leagues offer great opportunity for players to showcase their talents and skills while receiving ice time they wouldn't normally get on the fourth line of an NHL club.

While prospects may be highly touted, there are often areas of their game that need improving. The NHL is vastly different than anything each player has ever encountered.

Every NHL team looks for a hot player in the minors to add to their roster during training camp. With that in mind, and in no particular order, here are twenty players who will likely sport an NHL sweater full-time by the Spring of 2013.

This list will include prospects from the AHL, NCAA, WHL, CHL, QMJHL and OHL.

* Some players on this list were late season call-ups but for the purpose of this slideshow, the players listed will become an NHL regular by 2013.

* Only players who have been drafted will be included in this rankings even though it is likely that players like Nail Yakupov, estimated to be drafted No.1 at the 2012 Entry Draft, will see NHL action by 2013.

Zac Dalpe

Zac Dalpe is a solid center with a good shot. He has bounced between the NHL and minors twice, but many players have done this in the past. Dalpe scored 23 goals and 24 assists for 57 points as a member of the Charlotte Checkers last season, and has registered 25 points in 40 games thus far.

Dalpe is a talented player and could see some playing time if the Hurricanes shake up their roster. Dalpe should have a bright future in this league because he has shown that he can contribute offensively. If paired with the right forwards, Dalpe can be successful with Carolina.

The Hurricanes have some promising players, and Dalpe is another player to keep your eye on.

Brandon Pirri

Brandon Pirri is definitely a player who could crack the roster by the end of this season – or the beginning of next season at the latest. Pirri is a young player who has shown some real growth on the ice from last season.

Pirri played in 70 games last season and recorded only 43 points. In 57 games thus far, he has surpassed his previous high. The fact that Pirri is only 20 years old illustrates that he has the potential to grow even more.

If Pirri is given a good shot at the NHL level, there is no reason why he can't be successful.

Jacob Markström

Jacob Markström is a tall goaltender with an uncanny ability to deceive shooters by appearing larger in net.

Markström is a skilled goaltender with great mental prowess. He resembles a young Henrik Lundqvist in that he is a cool and collected goalie with a great competitive edge.

Markström plays the butterfly style with a good glove, like Lundqvist, and has good positioning. 

If the work with Lundqvist during international play rubs off on Markström, and if he continues to flourish, the Panthers could have a dominant net-minder for the next decade.

T.J. Hensick

T.J. Hensick has had a great year for the Peoria Riverman and he is one of the top offensive performers in the AHL. Hensick has tallied 19 goals and 45 assists for 64 total points this season. He is a player that has put in his time in the minors and could crack the roster at the start of next season.

Hensick could thrive under a system in St. Louis where Ken Hitchcock is willing to tutor his young players. With things looking up for St. Louis, however, odds are they stick with their current roster for now. There is no need to break up an effective system that is clearly working.

Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund is another "undersized" center who has a big upside. Granlund has been playing in Finland the past two seasons. He has worked hard and sans a whiff during the shootout, impressed at the World Juniors Championship.

Grandlund is likely to join his fellow countrymen on the Minnesota Wild next year. Mikko Koivu and Nicklas Backstrom are two players Grandlund would love to play with.

In the recently published Future Watch edition of The Hockey News, Granlund was named the No. 2 prospect in all of hockey.

Jon Merrill

Jon Merrill is a two-way defender with a good shot to make the team next year. He has the size to flatten opponents that infringe on Martin Brodeur's crease space and will benefit from spending another year at Michigan. 

Merrill can benefit from a growing defensive core that includes 2011 draft pick Adam Larsson.

Merrill stands at 6'3" and will become a force to be reckoned with in due time.

Matt Hackett

Matt Hackett could easily be the backup goaltender for the Minnesota Wild next season, as Josh Harding is a UFA who could become a starter for another team. 

Hackett is a young kid who showed poise and will likely be the backup next year. With Nicklas Backstrom getting older, it could only be a matter of time before Hackett is the full-fledged starter of the Minnesota Wild.

Hackett was recently called up but he is one player who will be a mainstay in the league next season.

Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider is a speedy forward who plays left wing for Boston College. He is a player who could have made the jump to the NHL this year, but elected to return to Boston College to continue his education.

He is a prototypical power forward whom Rangers fans would love to see paired up with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik.

Kreider has shown that his speed and scoring ability can have a huge impact. He was a member of the gold medal-winning 2010 U-20 U.S. World Junior Championship team with future teammate Derek Stepan.

Kreider is a clutch player who will make an impact once he hits the NHL level.

There is a chance he could join the team in April but at this point there are no guarantees.

"

 

Ranger Rants: Glen Sather discusses Chris Kreider and other off-ice topics blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerra…

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) March 7, 2012"

THN Top 50 Ranking—No.23

David Rundblad

David Rundblad is an offensive-minded defenseman with very good size and puck skills.

He has great on-ice vision and likes to move the puck into the offensive zone with smooth stick work and finesse.

Rundblad handles the puck with ease and is very confident in his ability and positioning. He is a great passer who finds his teammates with ease, and he loves to throw his body around.

Rundblad could become a solid two-way defender if he can develop his talents in his own end. This would only benefit him, as he already fills the niche of power play quarterback.

Rundblad was a late season call up by Phoenix but is still considered a prospect due to the amount of games he will have played at the season's end.

Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko's greatest asset is his goal-scoring ability, which is complemented with his quick hands.

His volatile, abrupt speed and acceleration allow him to create space and weave magic in open ice.

Tarasenko is a feisty competitor who plays with grit and aggression. He is an average 5'11" and 202 lbs., but he has proven himself against older players during his time in the KHL.

Tarasenko will thrive when he has his opportunity. 

THN Top 50 Ranking— No.6

Jonathan Huberdeau

Jonathan Huberdeau really skyrocked up the depth chart at the NHL Entry Draft last June. His 105 points season had a lot to do with it.

Huberdeau has a lot of the tools required to be a top center in the NHL and he is also a serviceable winger. He will fit well with the Florida Panthers as he brings an offensive arsenal that could really turn the Panthers around

Huberdeau is a force to be reckoned with on the ice. He is gifted with a great skill set which are complemented with his agile hands and his size. He has a great natural composure that makes him NHL ready. His killer instincts only enhance his lethal shot and hands.

Huberdeau is also a very clutch and skilled player, and this was his season during the playoffs as he racked up 30 points in only 19 games.The Florida Panthers are on the rise as they unveiled their new jersey which shows a Panther out for blood and ready to attack.Jonathan Huberdeau is certainly a superstar in the making.

THN Top 50 Ranking— No.3

Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome is a talented top player and his 106-point campaign last year skyrocketed his value at the draft. What sets him apart from others in this draft is his work ethic. What Ryan Strome may lack in size and stature, he compensates with his talent and speed.  

Strome will make an impact on the New York Islanders by the spring of 2013. The Islanders already have a talented player in John Tavares so it is going to be exciting to watch the two play together.

Strome is a player that will become a future 30-40 goal scorer if paired with a player like Tavares

THN Top 50 Ranking—No.9

Evgeny Kuznetsov

The Caps already have Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom and countless others in the brigade, so when they added Kuznetsov, it was easy to see a trend developing.

Kuznetsov is a 6'0" center and was an integral part during Russia's comeback in the gold medal game of the WJHC.

Skills-wise, Kuznetsov is a speedy skater who will be skating alongside Ovechkin and company very soon. His interview with Andrey Osadchenko in THN's Future Watch 2012 alone makes the magazine worth buying.

Be sure to check your local bookstore or newsstand to find out Kuznetsov's thoughts on the KHL,NHL and his future in hockey.

THN Top 50 Ranking— No.1

Mika Zibanejad

Mika Zibanejad is a strong, competitive center from Sweden and has the potential to become a good power forward because of his soft hands and his great scoring touch.

He also is a great skater with good on-ice vision, and he isn't afraid to get physical when it is deemed necessary.

Zibanejad is going to fit in with the Ottawa Senators as he is an aggressive puck handler and he will fit in with other players like Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and Kyle Turris.

THN Top 50 Ranking—No.5

Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele is quickly becoming a player who fans can't wait to see full time. The Winnipeg Jets sent Scheifele back to Juniors instead of keeping him for an entire season. Though he was impressive early on, there were some areas he needed to improve on.

Scheifele is a playmaker with skilled and agile hands. His speed and legs are essential to his game. He is a smart, two-way forward who has the makings of becoming a dominant power forward in the NHL.

He is on the small size for his position, but there is hope. If Scheifele can bulk up and hit the 185-190 lbs. range, he will be viewed in a completely different light.

THN Top 50 Ranking—No.7

Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton is a sizable two-way defender who has a booming shot and good hands. That sound like another defenseman on the Bruins, doesn't it? 

Adding him to the Boston Bruins makes them an impressive defensive team.He joins a team already stacked with players like Zdeno Chara.

Hamilton excels in both facets of his game and is NHL-ready. Hamilton is a 6'4" almost 200-pound physical defender whose hands make him able enough to run a power play.

He was a steal at last year's draft and there is a good chance he will be a Bruin very, very soon.

THN Top 50 Ranking—No.4

Sven Bartschi

In THN's Future Watch, Bartschi was ranked as the No.15 prospect overall in all of hockey.

Bartschi has good hands and on-ice vision and is a speedy winger standing at 5'11" and 185 lbs. Bartschi will flourish in the NHL if he is paired with a good center.

He was a good pick for the Calgary Flames as they are looking to improve offensively and Bartschi is a good player to invest in. He has 94 points in 47 games this season and was called up by the Flames at least on an interim basis. 

Over time he will flourish into a solid NHL winger and will light the lamp for the Flames in years to come

Even though he is currently with the Flames, for the criteria of this slideshow, he won't be a mainstay until next season.

THN Top 50 Ranking—No.15

Charlie Coyle

Charlie Coyle is a good-sized forward (6"2 207 pounds) whose had an interesting year. Coyle started the year with Boston University and then dropped out and joined the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. 

In 20 games with the Sea Dogs, Coyle has 31 points. While he may not crack the Wild's roster right out of training camp, he has a good chance of being a late season call-up during the Spring of 2013.

THN Top 50 Ranking—No.14

Tim Erixon

Tim Erixon, son of former Ranger Jan Erixon, was rather impressive at the Traverse City tournament. Erixon was the top defensive prospect of the Calgary Flames. He was acquired in a trade that involved swapping draft picks, and he was a major pickup for the Rangers.

At the Traverse City prospects tournament, Erixon showed some real promise. His skill made him a top contender for the Rangers' defensive pairings.

Erixon saw limited action with the Rangers this season and has spent the majority of the year in Hartford as a member of the Connecticut Whale of the AHL.

In THN's Top 50, Erixon was ranked No.17 and is a no brainer to make the team next season.

Brandon Gormley

The Phoenix Coyotes are a team with quite a future when you consider the defenseman they have on their current squad and in the system. Brandon Gormley was ranked No. 10 in THN's Top 50 and he was No. 2 among defenseman.

Standing 6"1 and weighing 185 pounds, Gormley is a midsize defenseman whose strengths include his shot, poise and his puck play. Gormley is an offensive minded defenseman but is also very sound in his own zone.

When you weigh all the variables, Gormley will be sporting an NHL sweater in 2013.

---

If there is someone you think I missed, leave a comment in the section below and I will be sure to address your concerns.

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist.

For more NHL news, updates and alerts about players: