Each NHL Team's Top Prospect and When He'll Be in the Pros

Top prospects give NHL teams reasons to be excited about the future. When a team is struggling, it's fun to watch a young kid looking to prove himself come to the highest level and perform well.

However, it's important not to rush the top prospects to the NHL because you want them to be ready. The speed and physicality is higher in the pros than it is in the AHL or juniors.

Let's look at every NHL team's top prospect and when he could be in the pros.

Note: Top prospects like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who have spent a ton of a time or the whole season in the NHL were not included in this list.

Anaheim Ducks: Emerson Etem

Emerson Etem has great speed and solid puck-handling skills. He has had a very good season in the WHL for the Medicine Hat Tigers, scoring 29 goals with 30 assists in just 33 games.

Etem should be with the Anaheim Ducks full-time next season because the team really needs offense from the second and third lines.

Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton was the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins, and he will be an important part of the team's future, probably as early as next season.

Hamilton has 12 goals with 33 assists for 45 points in 30 games for the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL this season.

Buffalo Sabres: Joel Armia

Joel Armia will add size and a high skill level when he joins the Buffalo Sabres wingers, but that probably won't happen for a few seasons.

He is currently just 18 years old. Armia has scored eight goals with 10 assists in 31 games in SM-liiga in Finland.

Calgary Flames: Sven Baertschi

Sven Baertschi is a real playmaking winger that will be a future star at the NHL level for the Calgary Flames. He will likely get his shot in the pros next season.

Baertschi has scored 12 goals with 42 assists for 54 points in just 25 games this season for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.

Carolina Hurricanes: Zac Dalpe

Zac Dalpe is a quality center prospect and played nine games for the Carolina Hurricanes this season but did not score any points.

He is currently with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL and will definitely get another shot to make the NHL roster next season.

Chicago Blackhawks: Jeremy Morin

Jeremy Morin is a good left winger who will add scoring for the Chicago Blackhawks when he reaches the NHL, which could be this season if injuries create a need.

He currently is playing for Rockford IceHogs in the AHL and has scored five goals with 10 assists in 23 games.

Colorado Avalanche: Duncan Siemens

Duncan Siemens is a good defenseman who should be with the Colorado Avalanche soon, maybe as early as next season. It would be foolish to rush him to the pros, though he has a lot of talent.

Siemens has scored four goals with 12 assists this season for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL in 31 games.

Columbus Blue Jackets: David Savard

David Savard was with the Columbus Blue Jackets this season but was sent to the minor leagues after nine games.

Savard is a good defenseman who just needs more playing time, and he wasn't going to get enough in the NHL.

He could be up again this season, and he has scored two goals with eight assists this season for the Springfield Falcons.

Dallas Stars: Jack Campbell

Jack Campbell was the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars and is the team's future between the pipes.

He is 6-4-3 this season for Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL with a 2.90 GAA. It's going to be a year or two before he is ready, but he will be a good NHL player when he arrives.

Detroit Red Wings: Teemu Pulkkinen

Teemu Pulkkinen dominated SM-liiga in Finland last season, finishing in the top five in scoring, while showing he can be a solid playmaker with his fantastic passing skills.

Pulkkinen has nine goals and 23 assists in the Finnish league this season. Expect him to be with the Detroit Red Wings after next season.

Edmonton Oilers: Oscar Klefbom

Oscar Klefbom is going to be a very good NHL defenseman, but at just 18 years old he still has a lot of developing to do. 

Klefbom is currently playing in Sweden right now but should be a big part of the Edmonton Oilers' future success.

Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau

Jonathan Huberdeau is a fantastic forward prospect who will excel at the NHL level for the Florida Panthers and give them another quality goal-scorer on whom the team can depend.

In just 13 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL, he has 10 goals scored with 18 assists for 28 points.

Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Toffoli

Tyler Toffoli has starred in the OHL this season for the Ottawa 67s and will be in the NHL next season to give the Los Angeles Kings a quality scorer who also has good passing skills.

He has scored 27 goals with 23 assists for 50 points in just 28 games this year.

Minnesota Wild: Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund is one of the best prospects in the NHL, and he is dominating in Finland this season. He has scored 16 goals with 22 assists in SM-liiga this season and should be contributing big-time with the Minnesota Wild next year.

He could be a future NHL superstar for the Wild.

Montreal Canadiens: Nathan Beaulieu

With the Montreal Canadiens needing defensemen because of injuries, I could see Nathan Beaulieu getting a shot at the NHL level soon, maybe even next season.

In the QMJHL this season, he has scored eight goals with 18 assists in 30 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Nashville Predators: Taylor Beck

Taylor Beck is a good right winger who could get his chance with the Nashville Predators this season or next season if there is not an opening on the NHL roster.

Beck has scored six goals with six assists this season in 26 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.

New Jersey Devils: Alexander Urbom

With Adam Larsson a permanent fixture on the New Jersey Devils, Alexander Urbom could be the next top defenseman prospect to join the NHL level, maybe even this season.

He has played 21 games this season in the AHL for the Albany Devils and has six points.

New York Islanders: Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome will be a star for the New York Islanders when he's ready for the NHL, which could be as early as next season.

Strome has great offensive talent and has scored 16 goals with 17 assists in 24 games for the Niagara IceDogs this season in the OHL.

New York Rangers: Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider has scored 12 goals with 11 assists this season in 18 games for Boston College. He is an exceptional offensive talent who can score goals.

He could be with the New York Rangers this season after he fulfills his commitment to the Eagles.

Ottawa Senators: Mika Zibanejad

Mika Zibanejad has three goals and three assists in six games in the Swedish Elite League this season.

He was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators and could be at the NHL level in two years. He has fantastic scoring talent but at just 18 years old, he needs to develop his talent further.

Philadelphia Flyers: Eric Wellwood

In 13 games for the Adirondack Phantoms this season, Eric Wellwood has scored five goals with six assists.

He is a good left winger who will add some solid skill to the Philadelphia Flyers lineup, maybe even this season if there is an opening on the roster due to something like injuries.

Phoenix Coyotes: Brandon Gormley

Brandon Gormley is a very good defenseman who will be in the NHL soon for the Phoenix Coyotes, probably next season for good.

In the QMJHL this season, Gormley has scored 10 goals with 17 assists for 27 points in 26 games for the Moncton Wildcats.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Beau Bennett

Beau Bennett is very good forward prospect and currently plays for the University of Denver mens' hockey team in the WCHA. He won't be in the NHL for a few years, but he will be a quality pro player.

Bennett has scored four goals with nine assists in 10 games for Denver this season.

San Jose Sharks: Benn Ferriero

The San Jose Sharks have a weak prospect pool as an organization, but former Boston College star Benn Ferriero has played well this season in the AHL.

He has scored eight goals with nine assists this season in 16 games for the Worcester Sharks. He could be at the NHL level this season if there is a need on the roster.

St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko is having a great season in the KHL and is the St. Louis Blues' No. 1 prospect and a future NHL star.

Tarasenko has scored 15 goals with 16 assists in 31 games this season, and he has high-end offensive talent. He could be in the NHL next season to really bolster the Blues offense.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Vladislav Namestnikov

Vladislav Namestnikov is one of the few potential stars the Tampa Bay Lightning have in their prospect pool, but he is a very good winger who can score goals and set up his teammates with quality scoring chances.

In 31 games with the OHL's London Knights this season, Namestnikov has scored 16 goals with 22 assists.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri has been making strides this season and remains a big part of the Toronto Maple Leafs' future success. If a spot is open on the roster, Kadri could find himself back with the Leafs this season.

He has scored eight goals with 14 assists in 19 games this season for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Vancouver Canucks: Nicklas Jensen

Nicklas Jensen has had a marvelous season with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL this season, scoring 17 goals with 18 assists for 35 points.

The right winger is only 18 years old, so he might not be with the Canucks for another year or two, but he projects to be a solid goal-scorer.

Washington Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetsov

The Washington Capitals are hoping Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov can show some of the promise superstar and fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin has shown with the team.

Kuznetsov has scored 12 goals with 12 assists this season in the KHL and could be with the Capitals soon, maybe even next year.

Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele has done well this season for the Barrie Colts of the OHL, scoring 13 goals with 23 assists in 19 games.

Scheifele will likely be with the Jets next season, and he could be a second-line talent for next year as well. He still needs to progress a bit with the Colts this season, but he looks good thus far this season.