NHL Prospects Running out of Time to Prove Themselves

NHL teams rely on the draft for procurement, and it is very important to acquire productive players with their early picks. After the top two or three selections each summer, it is unlikely a team will receive an impact player. Teams need to ensure their picks are going to become productive NHL players in important roles.

Most prospects take two or three years to develop into useful players—some need a little more time. The clock begins ticking once they turn pro, and if the prospect isn't playing NHL hockey a year or two later, there has to be at least some concern.

Here are 10 NHL prospects who are running out of time to show they are worthy of NHL employment reflective of their draft number. Players are ranked based on the spot in which they were chosen in their respective draft seasons.

10. Brett Ritchie, RW, Dallas Stars

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

When Was He Drafted? Brett Ritchie was chosen No. 44 overall by the Dallas Stars in 2011. 

What Has Happened Since? Ritchie finished a strong junior career and has been quality during his three-year entry-level pro contract, which ends in the spring. He has spent significant time in the NHL and played well there, although his current season has been derailed by a wrist injury.

Why The Urgency? The Stars' farm system is producing talent at a rapid clip, and Ritchie is a candidate to fall through the cracks. He is waiver eligible next fall and could be lost for nothing if Dallas can't find a spot for him on the roster. He is back and playing very well in the AHL for the Texas Stars at this time.

9. Alexander Khokhlachev, C, Boston Bruins

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

When Was He Drafted? Alexander Khokhlachev was chosen No. 40 overall by the Boston Bruins in 2011. 

What Has Happened Since? Khokhlachev has delivered quality offense at every stop along the way since he was drafted. The Bruins have other options and appear to be content with playing him in the minors and going with players who have two-way acumen.

Why The Urgency? There are all kinds of scenarios that could play out, including a trade or the player heading to Russia after this season. It appears likely Khokhlachev will not emerge as a regular with the Bruins, as he has been passed by several players since arriving at the pro level.

8. Mark Pysyk, D, Buffalo Sabres

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When Was He Drafted? Mark Pysyk was selected No. 23 overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2010. 

What Has Happened Since? Pysyk had a very productive junior career and progressed smartly at the pro level, playing some NHL games in his first season at that level. Since then, the Sabres have added a potential impact defender in Rasmus Ristolainen, along with veterans Zach Bogosian and Cody Franson. Pysyk is getting the squeeze.

Why The Urgency? The emergence of Ristolainen may make Pysyk expendable, and the Sabres could move him in an effort to improve in other areas. He has not been a strong possession player so far in his NHL career—as shown by HockeyAnalysis.com—and Buffalo could trade him while his value is still strong.

7. Jarred Tinordi, D, Montreal Canadiens

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

When Was He Drafted? Jarred Tinordi was chosen No. 22 overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2010. 

What Has Happened Since? Tinordi continued his amateur career, including a very successful run with the London Knights of the OHL. He built a reputation for being a tough player whose strength came in defending. His lack of offensive ability became a growing concern.

Why The Urgency? Defensive defensemen are slowly leaving the NHL after a century of being central to success. NHL teams are sacrificing size, toughness and shot blocking for speed, puck-moving ability and two-way play. A player such as Tinordi will have to battle to stay in the NHL.

6. Mark McNeill, C, Chicago Blackhawsks

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

When Was He Drafted? Mark McNeill was chosen No. 18 overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He entered his draft day with a two-way reputation and the kind of size—6'2", 212 lbs—teams are looking for every year. The Chicago Blackhawks stepped up and took him midway through the first round.

What Has Happened Since? McNeill continued to develop in junior and turned pro in the fall of 2013. Since then, he has continued his fine two-way play and slightly improved his offensive output, although he has yet to appear in an NHL game.

Why The Urgency? This is the final year for McNeill to avoid waivers, so he needs to show enough overall ability in order for Chicago to keep him. It is a very difficult roster to crack, so McNeill may find himself in another organization in the fall of 2016—similar to Landon Ferraro's path from the Detroit Red Wings to the Boston Bruins this season.

5. Austin Watson, LW, Nashville Predators

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When Was He Drafted? Austin Watson was chosen No. 18 overall in 2010 by the Nashville Predators. 

What Has Happened Since? Watson delivered a solid junior career and has proved himself at the AHL level too. He has a complete range of skills, can play multiple roles and is a versatile forward.

Why The Urgency? The Predators have a quality roster without having many difference-makers, and Watson duplicates that skill set perfectly. In a case of having too much of the same thing, Watson can't find consistent work on a team with so many similar talents. He would probably benefit from a change of scenery.

4. Jack Campbell, G, Dallas Stars

Joel Auerbach/Associated Press

When Was He Drafted? Jack Campbell was chosen No. 11 overall by the Dallas Stars at the 2010 draft.

What Has Happened Since? Campbell left the U.S. National Development Team for Canadian junior hockey and the OHL. Despite retaining his status as a substantial prospect, he struggled at that level and has been inconsistent since starting his pro career in 2012-13.

Why The Urgency? Campbell is not playing well in the AHL this season and may be at a crossroads in Dallas this coming summer. The Stars could use a quality youngster to help their current cap crunch in goal at the NHL level. The team has Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen signed for over $10 million a year through 2017-18, made necessary in part because of the lack of development by Campbell.

3. Dylan McIlrath, D, New York Rangers

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

When Was He Drafted? Dylan McIlrath was picked No. 10 overall by the New York Rangers in 2010.

What Has Happened Since? The hulking, throwback defender enjoyed a strong junior career and a productive development period in the AHL. After his entry-level deal ended, making him eligible for waivers, McIlrath needed to make the big club in 2015-16.

Why The Urgency? The Rangers are one organization that remains devoted to rugged, stay-at-home defensemen. McIlrath's skill set does not match the modern definition of an NHL defender, so he will need to develop into a consistent contributor in order to stay.

2. Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton Oilers

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

When Was He Drafted? Griffin Reinhart was chosen No. 4 overall by the New York Islanders in the 2012 Entry Draft.

What Has Happened Since? Reinhart starred for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, helping his team to the Memorial Cup in 2014—junior hockey's national championship in Canada. In 2014-15, he turned pro and spent most of the season in the AHL. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for two substantial selections at the 2015 draft.

Why The Urgency? He was brought in to help this season and beyond—the investment in him was supposed to have an immediate impact. In the year, Reinhart lost playing time to rookie pro Darnell Nurse and minor leaguer Brandon Davidson, eventually being sent back to the AHL. Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli may have the patience to wait on him for another year, but the clock is ticking on Reinhart's time in his second NHL organization.

1. Jonathan Drouin, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

When Was He Drafted? Jonathan Drouin was chosen No. 3 overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013. 

What Has Happened Since? Drouin delivered high-octane offense in the season following his drafting, scoring 108 points in 46 junior games. In 2014-15, at 19, he jumped to the NHL level but did not score as expected. This year, his role has increased slightly and he is running in place offensively.

Why The Urgency? The 2013 draft was very strong, with all of the top 10 picks playing in the NHL and looking like good bets for productive careers. Drouin is likely to have success in the NHL, but it may not be on a scale commensurate with his draft number. There is still time, but the Lightning may have chosen the wrong player at No. 3 overall.