Ranking the Boston Bruins' Top 10 Prospects

Torey Krug was quite a discovery for the Bruins last season, proving that even an exceptional team can get a big boost from the right prospect. In Krug's case, his unique offensive ability just perfectly filled a niche that needed to be covered for Boston.

Who else is on the way? 

The following slideshow ranks the team's 10 best Calder-eligible prospects (Matt Fraser, for example, isn't there because he's no longer considered a rookie by the NHL) and provides capsule scouting reports. Prospects are primarily ranked based on their potential NHL ceiling, but the amount of risk involved in that projection is also a significant factor in this list.

10. Linus Arnesson

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Profile: Linus Arnesson has decent size and good skating, as well as the puck-moving vision so essential to making outlet passes. His offensive upside is somewhat limited, though, and he has a reputation for getting himself into trouble in the defensive end of the rink.

Risk factor: We're pretty early in the development curve; there is a significant amount of risk.

NHL projection: Second-pair defenceman. 

9. Anthony Camara

Steve Babineau/Getty Images

Profile: Anthony Camara is a power forward with a big frame and both the speed and the willingness to punish opponents physically. That combination of physical tools and mentality isn't easy to find. He never really lit up the junior level, but he brought a surprising amount of offence with him to the pro ranks.

Risk factor: Camara's a relatively safe bet to play; the risk is in how much upside he has. 

NHL projection: Third-line forward. 

8. Zach Trotman

Brian Babineau/Getty Images

Profile: Zach Trotman has an intriguing collection of tools. He's a big defenceman with good hockey sense, skating and a heavy shot. Projected more as a shutdown type than an offensive rearguard, Trotman earned his first NHL recall last season and is on the verge of making the jump. 

Risk factor: Trotman has had some injury trouble. 

NHL projection: Second-pair defenceman. 

7. Seth Griffith

Steve Babineau/Getty Images

Profile: Seth Griffith often gets nicked on lists like this because he's undersized and he doesn't compensate for it with blazing speed. What he does bring is exceptional intelligence and work ethic, and that has allowed him to be an offensive star at every level. He was a top scorer in his first AHL season.  

Risk factor: Regardless of how good the results at lower levels are, there's always going to be a fear that a guy without either speed or size is going to be unable to translate his abilities to the NHL.

NHL projection: Second-line forward. 

6. Niklas Svedberg

Steve Babineau/Getty Images

Profile: There are goalies renowned for being technically brilliant, economizing movement yet always seeming to be in the right place. Niklas Svedberg isn't that kind of goalie; rather, he relies on athleticism and a never-say-die attitude. It's worked for him; 2013-14 was his fourth consecutive season as an average or better starter in the AHL or Sweden.  

Risk factor: Goalies are risky, but Svedberg's also pretty much NHL-ready.

NHL projection: No. 1B goaltender.

5. Joe Morrow

Nick Laham/Getty Images

Profile: Joe Morrow is a classic offensive defenceman, a good skater with a heavy shot and strong passing vision. He's struggled to get minutes in the AHL because his defensive game lags behind his scoring ability and he's not naturally inclined to being a physically aggressive defender. 

Risk factor: Morrow had a strong playoffs in the AHL, and his pure skill should eventually shine through. It just may take a bit of time.

NHL projection: Second-pair defenceman.

4. Ryan Spooner

Marianne Helm/Getty Images

Profile: Ryan Spooner gets a lot of love from scouts because he's exceptionally fast and combines that skating with high-end hockey sense. He has major league offensive creativity, though he combines it with a modest frame, a negligible physical game and only passable defensive ability. 

Risk factor: He did managed 11 points in 23 NHL games in 2013-14 and has been roughly a point-per-game scorer over two AHL campaigns.  

NHL projection: Second-line centre. 

3. David Pastrnak

Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Profile: Boston's latest first-rounder, David Pastrnak, has only modest size, but he plays like a Bruin. He battles through checks and competes physically. He scored very well in the Allsvenskan (Sweden's second-tier senior league) in 2013-14, posting 24 points in 36 games. 

Risk factor: He's young, which is one key risk factor. He's also a small forward who plays a bigger game, and that's the kind of thing that can result in injury. 

NHL projection: Second-line forward. 

2. Alexander Khokhlachev

Andy Marlin/Getty Images

Profile: Wickedly talented and with strong work ethic, Alexander Khokhlachev had a pretty successful AHL debut, leading the Providence Bruins in scoring as a rookie. He got better as the year went on, too, eclipsing the point-per-game mark in the last half of the season and in the playoffs. He's not big, but he has enough skill to make up for it. 

Risk factor: As with Spooner, there are some basic concerns about standing up to the physical rigors of the NHL, but he's scoring very well in the minors. 

NHL projection: Second-line forward. 

1. Malcolm Subban

USA TODAY Sports

Profile: Malcolm Subban brings size and athleticism to the crease, along with the puck-moving game that can be such a nice trait in a goaltender. It's hard to argue with his early results, too; Subban posted a .920 save percentage in Providence, which was even better than what Svedberg managed.   

Risk factor: The usual goalie caveat applies here, but Subban's high-level AHL performance should ease concerns. 

NHL projection: No. 1 goaltender.

Jonathan Willis covers the NHL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for more of his work.

Statistics courtesy of EliteProspects.com, unless otherwise noted. The Hockey News, Red Line Report (subscription required) and HockeyProspectus.com were consulted in writing profiles.