Each NHL Team's Hottest Top Prospect

It's important that NHL teams' best prospects perform well during the season for a number of reasons. Those who are in the AHL can be called up when injuries create an opening on the roster.

Also, prospects have to perform to their potential so they can be used in trades. Having prospects playing great hockey at the time of a trade makes them much more valuable when making a big deal.

Let's look at every NHL team's hottest top prospect right now.

Author's Note: This is not a list of the best prospect from each team, just top prospects playing very well right now.

Anaheim Ducks: Emerson Etem

Emerson Etem is considered the top prospect in the Anaheim Ducks organization, and he has impressed this season in the WHL.

He has scored 27 goals with 25 assists for 52 points for the Medicine Hat Tigers in only 27 games.

Etem has unbelievable speed and his puck-handling skills are simply amazing. With the Ducks struggling to score goals this season, he'll get his chance soon enough.

Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton was the ninth overall pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2011 NHL draft, and he has done quite well this season for the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL.

He has scored 11 goals with 27 assists for 38 points in just 25 games. Hamilton is showing he can use his great size to his advantage.

Buffalo Sabres: Zack Kassian

Zack Kassian was the Buffalo Sabres' first-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft, and he was called up last Thursday from Rochester, where he leads the team with 14 points in 18 games.

Kassian is a top prospect for the Sabres, and he will be expected to contribute while at the NHL level as the team deals with injuries.

Calgary Flames: Sven Baertschi

Sven Baertschi is the top prospect in the Calgary Flames organization, and he is having a great season thus far.

He has scored 11 goals with 34 assists for 45 points this year for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Baertschi is a quality playmaker who will instantly improve the Flames when he arrives in the NHL for good.

Carolina Hurricanes: Zac Dalpe

Zac Dalpe is a good center prospect for the Carolina Hurricanes, and a player the team is hoping can be a contributor at the NHL level for a long time.

After spending some time with the Hurricanes this season, he has since gone down to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL and has two goals and two assists in six games.

Chicago Blackhawks: Mark McNeill

Mark McNeill, a top-five Chicago Blackhawks prospect, is a promising young center. With the Prince Albert Raiders this season, McNeill has scored nine goals with 13 assists for 22 points in 27 games.

Colorado Avalanche: Tyson Barrie

Tyson Barrie was a third-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche, and he is one of the organization's better defensive prospects.

He has played well this season for the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL, scoring two goals with eight assists while playing well in his own zone.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Cam Atkinson

Cam Atkinson is one of the Columbus Blue Jackets' better offensive prospects, and the former Boston College standout has scored nine goals with six assists for 15 points with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL this season.

Expect Atkinson to join the Blue Jackets' roster soon as the team has struggled this season.

Dallas Stars: Reilly Smith

Reilly Smith is a quality right winger who will be a very good player for the Dallas Stars franchise in the years to come.

He is currently playing collegiate hockey at Miami (OH) University and has scored 11 goals with three assists in 14 games this season.

Detroit Red Wings: Gustav Nyquist

Gustav Nyquist is expected to be another in a long line of quality Swedish players for the Detroit Red Wings over the years, and the right wing/center has very good offensive skills.

Through 20 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, he has scored six goals with 16 assists for 22 points this season.

Edmonton Oilers: David Musil

David Musil has played well on defense this season for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL, and he has showed his offensive abilities too.

Musil has scored one goal with 13 assists in 28 games for the Giants. He is considered one of the best defensive prospects in the Edmonton Oilers organization.

Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau

Jonathan Huberdeau is one of the Florida Panthers' best prospects, probably their finest, and he has played well in the QMJHL this season.

For the Saint John Sea Dogs, he has scored 10 goals with 18 assists for 28 points in just 13 games. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom may be the team's best prospect for the future, but Huberdeau is going to have his own solid NHL career very soon.

Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Toffoli

Tyler Toffoli has played exceptionally for the Ottawa 67's of the OHL this season, and he has become a top prospect for the Los Angeles Kings.

Through 24 games for the 67's this season, Toffoli has scored 26 goals with 21 assists for 47 points—quite impressive numbers, to say the least.

Minnesota Wild: Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund is a top NHL prospect, and the Minnesota Wild are hoping he will be a real star very soon.

Through 24 games in SM-liiga of Finland, Granlund has scored 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points. That's a very impressive point total considering the league is considered a top league and hard to succeed in easily.

Montreal Canadiens: Louis Leblanc

Louis Leblanc is expected to make his debut for the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday versus the Anaheim Ducks, and he has played well in the AHL this season.

He has scored four goals with six assists for 10 points in 14 games for Hamilton, and he has impressed in a number of skill areas to earn a call-up.

Nashville Predators: Zach Budish

Zach Budish is one of the best offensive prospects in the Nashville Predators organization and is a right winger expected to be a big part of the team's future.

Budish is currently playing for the University of Minnesota and has scored four goals with 11 assists for 15 points in 16 games.

With the Predators lacking a top offensive player at the NHL level, the team hopes Budish can change that.

New Jersey Devils: Adam Larsson

Adam Larsson has played in 22 games for the New Jersey Devils this season and has received a ton of ice time for a rookie defenseman.

He has not disappointed and has played like a veteran at many times. Larsson is going to be a very good D-man for a long time.

He has two goals and six assists on the season.

New York Islanders: Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome was the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft by the New York Islanders, and he has played for the Niagara IceDogs this season.

Through 19 games, Strome has scored 14 goals with 11 assists for 25 points. He is an exceptional offensive talent and will get his chance with the Islanders soon.

Potential superstar talent.

New York Rangers: Chris Kreider

Boston College star Chris Kreider has played exceptionally in Hockey East this season and has scored 10 goals with eight assists in 14 games.

He has a unique package of strength, speed and good puck-handling skills. Kreider could make the New York Rangers' roster after the NCAA season, sometime in March or April maybe.

Ottawa Senators: Mika Zibanejad

Playing in the Swedish Elite League this season, Ottawa Senators prospect Mika Zibanejad has played well. He has scored two goals with two assists in nine games. He will get another chance in the NHL soon.

Zibanejad was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft.

Philadelphia Flyers: Eric Wellwood

Eric Wellwood has spent most of this season with the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL. He has scored five goals with six assists for 11 points in 13 games. 

Wellwood also played one game for Flyers this season and got an assist on November 5. The winger is a very gifted offensive player and will be back with the NHL club soon.

Phoenix Coyotes: Brandon Gormley

Brandon Gormley is one of the Phoenix Coyotes' top prospects, and the defenseman is a fabulous two-way player.

Gormley has scored 10 goals with 16 assists in 23 games for the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. He has the potential to be an elite offensive defenseman in the NHL.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Joe Morrow

Joe Morrow is a fantastic defensive prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has scored eight goals with 16 assists for 24 points in 22 games played this season for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.

Expect Morrow to be a star for the Penguins in the near future.

San Jose Sharks: Tommy Wingels

Tommy Wingels had a solid training camp with the San Jose Sharks this season and proved he could compete well at the NHL level.

Wingels has played three games with the Sharks this season and tallied one assist. He's been exceptional for the Worcester Sharks of the AHL this season, having scored three goals and five assists in 14 games.

St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko

Unfortunately for the St. Louis Blues, it is unlikely the Russian forward will come to the NHL until 2012, but Vladimir Tarasenko is a fabulous offensive talent.

For Novosibirsk Siber of the KHL, he has scored 12 goals and 13 assists. Expect him to excel in the NHL when he arrives. Blues fans have a lot to look forward to with Tarasenko.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Vladislav Namestnikov

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Vladislav Namestnikov is one of their better prospects, and he's having a solid season thus far in the OHL.

With the London Knights, he has scored 16 goals with 16 assists for 32 points in 26 games. The center will be a solid NHL player, and he should be a big part of the team's future.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Joe Colborne

Joe Colborne went to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the trade that sent Tomas Kaberle to the Boston Bruins last season, and the center has done well this season.

In five games with the Maple Leafs, he has four points, one goal and three assists. In 13 games with the Toronto Marlies, he scored 10 goals with nine assists for 19 points.

Colborne is a fantastic talent and will be a good NHL player for years to come. Boston was foolish to part ways with him.

Vancouver Canucks: Eddie Lack

Eddie Lack is an elite goaltending prospect, but unfortunately for the Vancouver Canucks, they already have two solid goaltenders at the NHL level in Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider.

Lack has played well this season for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, and he deserves a shot in the NHL.

It will be interesting to see how the Canucks handle him, but having three great goalies in your organization is a problem every team would love to have.

Washington Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetsov

Evgeny Kuznetsov is a very good forward prospect for the Washington Capitals, and he has excelled in the KHL this season.

He has scored 12 goals with 10 assists for 22 points in 27 games for Traktor Chelyabinsk. Kuznetsov is an exceptional player and will be a major contributor for the Capitals when he comes to the NHL.

Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele is a spectacular center with playmaking skills, and he should be a big part of the future success of the Winnipeg Jets.

He scored nine goals with 17 assists for 26 points in just 14 games for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. In seven games with the Jets this season, Scheifele has scored one goal.