Predicting Each NHL Team's Top Prospect That Will Be in the Pros Next Season

While fans of many NHL teams are readying for the playoffs, a lot of fans are already looking toward next season and what the future holds for their club.

Prospects represent much of that future and there's a number of talented youngsters who could debut in the NHL next season.

Let's look at each team's best prospect who will be in the NHL on a full-time basis next season.

Anaheim Ducks: Emerson Etem

Emerson Etem is a very talented goal scorer with his speed and playmaking ability. There's no reason for the Ducks to not give him a full-time job next season with the lack of scoring depth the team has.

Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton is a talented two-way defenseman with tremendous size and skating ability. He led the OHL in points among defenseman this season and will be a No. 1 NHL D-man very soon.

Buffalo Sabres: Marcus Foligno

Marcus Foligno had six goals and seven assists in just 14 NHL games this season, and has earned the right to be on the Buffalo Sabres roster full-time next season.

Calgary Flames: Sven Baertschi

One of the few promising parts of the Calgary Flames' future is the arrival of top prospect Sven Baertschi on a full-time basis. With three goals in just five NHL games this season, he'll get his chance to shine very soon.

Carolina Hurricanes: Zac Dalpe

Zac Dalpe is a top center prospect for the Carolina Hurricanes and should give the team a big boost offensively next season considering their lack of depth at that position.

Chicago Blackhawks: Jeremy Morin

It's hard to imagine the Chicago Blackhawks not giving Jeremy Morin a full season next year to develop his fantastic passing skills and offensive awareness.

Colorado Avalanche: Duncan Siemens

You can never have enough defensive depth, which is why Duncan Siemens will arrive to the Colorado Avalanche blue line next season. He could be a top-four defenseman very soon.

Columbus Blue Jackets: David Savard

With very strong offensive skills, 21-year-old defenseman David Savard will certainly be with the Columbus Blue Jackets full-time next season. He had 10 points in 31 NHL games this season.

Dallas Stars: Alex Chiasson

Alex Chiasson is a gifted right winger who can be a reliable scorer at the NHL level. He will add tremendous offensive depth to the Dallas Stars next season.

Detroit Red Wings: Brendan Smith

Brendan Smith is a future NHL star with his ability to play well at both ends of the ice, and could see a lot of ice time next season if Detroit Red Wings veterans Nicklas Lidstrom (retirement) and Brad Stuart (free agency) aren't with the team. 

Edmonton Oilers: Martin Marincin

Martin Marincin is one of the better Edmonton Oilers prospects and will join the team next season to give them some much needed depth on the blue line.

Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau

Jonathan Huberdeau is an elite offensive talent who could be a legitimate NHL star in the near future. He will be with the Panthers full-time next season.

Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Toffoli

Tyler Toffoli dominated the OHL offensively this season and was one of the league's best players. His goal scoring will give the Kings a huge offensive boost.

L.A. had the second-worst offense in the NHL this season.

Minnesota Wild: Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund is going to be an elite goal scorer very soon with the Minnesota Wild. His ability to score goals with his fantastic stick-handling and shooting accuracy will be a real weapon for the Wild.

Montreal Canadiens: Nathan Beaulieu

With little defensive depth, the Montreal Canadiens should give talented prospect Nathan Beaulieu a shot at the NHL level next season. He has the makings of a top-four D-man.

Nashville Predators: Taylor Beck

The Nashville Predators need more goal scoring, and giving top prospect Taylor Beck a chance in the NHL next season is a better idea than finding a goal scorer in free agency.

New Jersey Devils: Alexander Urbom

Alexander Urbom is a big and strong defenseman, who, along with Adam Larsson, will anchor the New Jersey Devils blue line for years come.

New York Islanders: Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome has exceptional speed and is an elite goal-scoring talent. He and John Tavares could be a top NHL forward duo very soon.

New York Rangers: Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider just won the NCAA championship with Boston College and will be a fixture of the New York Rangers roster next season. He will give the Blueshirts a power forward at left wing, which is a position where they need more depth.

Ottawa Senators: Mika Zibanejad

If the Ottawa Senators lose captain Daniel Alfredsson to retirement this season, then giving top forward prospect Mika Zibanejad a shot at a full-time roster position makes sense.

Philadelphia Flyers: Eric Wellwood

Eric Wellwood is another young forward who the Philadelphia Flyers will build depth with next season. With Claude Giroux, Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier and Matt Read, the Flyers have some great young depth at forward.

Phoenix Coyotes: Brandon Gormley

Brandon Gormley is a solid offensive defenseman who will give a big boost to the Phoenix Coyotes' depth on the blue line next season. Gormley is a star in the making.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Simon Despres

One of the few weak spots on the Pittsburgh Penguins is defensive depth, which is why Simon Despres could earn a regular spot in the lineup next season.

San Jose Sharks: Taylor Doherty

At 6'7", Sharks prospect Taylor Doherty has NHL size and can also excel offensively. He could be one of the first changes to the roster during the team's inevitable youth movement this summer.

St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko could be a star goal scorer when he arrives to the NHL, which could be next season. He will give the St. Louis Blues the elite offensive talent they don't have right now.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Vladislav Namestnikov

With injuries to Vincent Lecavalier and other forwards hurting the Tampa Bay Lightning offense this year, I think bringing Vladislav Namestnikov to the NHL full-time is a tremendous idea for depth purposes.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Joe Colborne

Joe Colborne should be a full-time forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs next season because it's time he proves how effective he can be at the NHL level. His combination of size and offensive talent will be exciting for Leafs fans to watch next year.

Vancouver Canucks: Nicklas Jensen

Nicklas Jensen almost made the Canucks this season as one of the last few forwards on the roster, but with another year of development, he should make the team for the 2012-13 year. He can add some scoring depth to the third line, which is something Vancouver could use.

Washington Capitals: Dmitri Orlov

Dmitri Orlov played 60 games for the Washington Capitals this season while also playing in the AHL, but he will certainly start with the Capitals next season.

Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele and Evander Kane are the future of the Winnipeg Jets, and both are top offensive talents with a ton of potential. Expect Scheifele to join Kane in Winnipeg full-time next season.