NHL - Central Division Prospects

The Central Division of the NHL is the most exciting one to watch right now. But with so many quality players on each roster, will there be enough room for any of their prospects?

Dallas

The Stars had four defensemen 23 or younger play significant minutes last season, including 22-year-old John Klingberg, who was fifth in Calder Trophy voting after he scored 11 goals with 29 assists in 65 games. Klingberg, Jamie Oleksiak, 22, and Patrik Nemeth and Jyrki Jokipakka, each 23, played a total of 174 games. Three of the Stars' top prospects are defensemen, and a handful of others could be playing in the NHL soon.
"On the back end, we've got lots of depth," general manager Jim Nill said.
Julius Honka, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 14), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Texas, AHL: 68 GP, 8-23-31
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Finn acquitted himself quite well in his first professional season, but that didn't come as a surprise. An offensive-minded defenseman, Honka played one season of junior hockey in North America before Dallas drafted him. He had 16 goals and 40 assists in 62 games for Swift Current of the Western Hockey League in 2013-14, and had an assist and plus-1 rating to help Finland win a gold medal at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.
"He's only 19, but he's going to be knocking on the door." Nill said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Denis Gurianov, RW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 12), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Togliatti 2, Russia-Jr.: 23 GP, 15-10-25
Gurianov (6-foot-3, 192) saw his stock rise among 2015 draft prospects when he led Russia with seven points (six goals) in five games at the 2015 Under-18 World Championship. Gurianov, 18, was the No. 7 European skater on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking for the draft, leaving some surprised the Stars selected him so high. Gurianov compares his game to Dallas forward Valeri Nichushkin, a highly skilled Russian who Nill selected at No. 10 in his first draft as Stars GM.
"We had a good feeling he might be there. If one or two other names happened to get thrown in there, it might have changed. We had a feeling he'd be the guy there." Nill said at the draft.
Projected NHL arrival: 2017-18
Stephen Johns, D
How acquired: Traded from Chicago Blackhawks on July 10, 2015
Last season: Rockford, AHL: 51 GP, 4-17-21
The Stars were pleased to get Johns (6-foot-3, 229), a big, physical defender, as part of the trade that brought Patrick Sharp to Dallas on July 10. Johns, 23, tied for the AHL lead with a plus-30 rating last season. Chosen by Chicago in the second round (No. 60) of the 2010 draft, Johns has some speed to go with his imposing size.
"I was able to watch him in the [American Hockey League] and watched him play [the Texas Stars] in the playoffs, and I thought he was the best player on the ice. We're excited about his potential and think he's going to be a good fit for us down the road."
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Brett Ritchie, RW
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 44), 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: Stars: 31 GP, 6-3-9; Texas, AHL: 33 GP, 14-7-21
The 22-year-old had three goals in his first six games with the Stars after being called up last December, including a goal in each of his first two NHL games. An undisclosed injury sustained in mid-January slowed him, but many believe Ritchie will push for a top-six forward role this season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound forward scored 98 goals in 217 Ontario Hockey League games with Sarnia and Niagara.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Patrik Nemeth, D
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 41), 2010 NHL Draft
Last season: Stars: 22 GP, 0-3-3; Texas, AHL: 8 GP, 0-2-2
Nemeth missed 52 games last season after he was cut above his right wrist by the skate blade of R.J. Umberger of the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 18. The 23-year-old was supposed to miss the rest of the season but returned in early March. The Stars were 14-6-2 in games Nemeth played, 27-25-8 in the others.
"After suffering such a serious injury, his drive and determination to return to action before the season ended was quite remarkable, and he made a solid impact upon returning. We know he'll be ready from Day One of training camp to come in and strengthen our back end." Nill told the Stars website after Nemeth (6-3, 230) signed a two-year contract in June.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16

St Louis

The Blues have built themselves into a perennial top-echelon NHL team based on their ability to develop from within while allowing their prospects to grow without rushing them. They waited patiently for Alex Pietrangelo, David Backes, Jaden Schwartz and Dmitrij Jaskin to get acclimated in the American Hockey League before bringing them to the NHL. Vladimir Tarasenko and Jori Lehtera got their experience playing in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Petteri Lindbohm, D
How acquired: 6th round (No. 176), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Blues: 23 GP, 2-1-3; Chicago, AHL: 53 GP, 6-12-18
The 21-year-old native of Helsinki was so impressive in training camp last season that the Blues this offseason were willing to part with Barret Jackman, who had been with St. Louis since being chosen in the first round (No. 17) of the 1999 NHL Draft. Lindbohm (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) will fill the void left by Jackman and provide a physical presence on the left side.
"I feel really comfortable giving Lindbohm every opportunity to make the team as part of our six," general manager Doug Armstrong said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Robby Fabbri, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 21), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Chicago, AHL: 3 GP, 1-3-4; Guelph, OHL: 30 GP, 25-26-51
Fabbri (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) made a favorable impression during his first NHL training camp last season, and the Blues were tempted to keep him for at least a nine-game trial had it not been for a shoulder injury sustained in the second-to-last preseason game. Fabbri, 19, was part of Canada's 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship team. He had two goals and six points in five games before sustaining a high ankle sprain. Fabbri will be given every opportunity to at least earn a nine-game trial, but with Lehtera needing 6-8 weeks to recover following ankle surgery Aug. 4, Fabbri could play a larger role than expected. Depending on Lehtera's status, Fabbri could be a wild card, but it will take a tremendous camp for him to be considered for a full-time NHL role this season.
"It gets me excited. I have something to look forward to and to make sure that I don't lose that opportunity ... to earn it game by game. Going from here to Traverse [City] to [training] camp, you want to want to be the best you can." Fabbri said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Ty Rattie, RW
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 32), 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: Blues: 11 GP, 0-2-2; Chicago, AHL: 59 GP, 21-21-42
Rattie (6-foot, 178 pounds) will try to crack a tough lineup in training camp; the Blues' top nine appears to be set. But Rattie's been touted as one of St. Louis' up-and-coming players since being drafted. Rattie, 22, has 13 games of NHL experience, and the Blues hold him in high regard after the scored 151 goals from 2008-13 with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Colton Parayko, D
How acquired: 3rd round (No. 86), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Chicago, AHL: 17 GP, 4-3-7; University of Alaska-Fairbanks, WCHA: 34 GP, 6-17-23
Parayko, 22, has defied the odds and continues an upward trend after completing his final college season at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks last year. At 6-foot-5, 214 pounds, Parayko's size and speed are traits that have Blues management pushing him up their depth charts.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Jordan Schmaltz, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 25), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: University of North Dakota, NCHC: 42 GP, 4-24-28
The 21-year-old finished his junior year at North Dakota. Schmaltz (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) ranked third on the team with 28 points, including a team-leading 24 assists in 42 regular-season games, helping North Dakota to its second consecutive Frozen Four. Schmaltz had 64 points (13 goals, 51 assists) in 125 regular-season NCAA games and earned NCHC Second Team All-Star honors in 2014 and 2015. Schmaltz signed a three-year entry level contract May 28.
Projected NHL arrival: 2017-18

Chicago

Knowing a salary-cap crunch was coming in the offseason, the Blackhawks signed several free agent prospects in the spring to add some depth to their system. They tapped into the international and collegiate markets to bring in young talent, and the end result is a prospect base that's expected to help Chicago move past the departures of Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya, Brad Richards and others this summer.
Artemi Panarin, LW
How acquired: Agreed to terms on two-year contract on May 1, 2015
Last season: SKA St. Petersburg, KHL: 54 GP, 26-36-62
Panarin, 23, is the most skilled among the impressive group of free agent prospects the Blackhawks signed this spring. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound forward is also closest to playing in the NHL. Much like 20-year-old Teuvo Teravainen, the highly touted forward who stepped up to help the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2015, Panarin has drawn comparisons to Patrick Kane with his playing style and talent. Panarin has a clause in his contract that allows him to head back to the Kontinental Hockey League if he doesn't make the Blackhawks roster, but general manager Stan Bowman doesn't think that will be an issue.Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Marko Dano, LW
How acquired: Trade with Columbus Blue Jackets on June 30, 2015
Last season: Blue Jackets: 35 GP, 8-13-21; Springfield, AHL: 39 GP, 11-8-19
The Blackhawks got their first look at Dano at their development camp in July after acquiring him in the June 30 trade that sent Saad to the Blue Jackets. What they saw was impressive. Dano (5-foot-11, 183 pounds) has added muscle the past couple years and could turn out to be the steal of the trade. He's skilled enough to warrant consideration for a role among the Blackhawks' top six forwards, but the 20-year-old Slovakian isn't afraid to muck it up around the net to score goals. There has already been talk that Dano, who Columbus selected in the first round (No. 27) of the 2013 NHL Draft, might take Saad's spot at left wing on the top line with captain Jonathan Toews and right wing Marian Hossa.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Nick Schmaltz, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 20), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: University of North Dakota, NCHC: 38 GP, 5-21-26
Schmaltz (6-foot, 177) has a ceiling the Blackhawks would love for him to reach, but his problem has been finding consistency. He was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's 2014-15 All-Rookie Team after he was second among freshmen in points per game (0.68) and assists (21), but seven of his 26 points came during a five-game point streak early in the season. The knock was that Schmaltz, 19, got lost in the shuffle at times and did not take advantage of his impressive array of skills. The upside is that he has shown flashes of talent that have him projected as a top-six forward in the NHL.
Projected NHL arrival: 2017-18
Ville Pokka, D
How acquired: Trade with New York Islanders on Oct. 4, 2014
Last season: Rockford, AHL: 68 GP, 8-22-30
Pokka (6-foot, 214) was the key piece of the trade that sent defenseman Nick Leddy to the Islanders days before the beginning of last season. The 21-year-old puck-moving defenseman probably needs another season of development in the American Hockey League, but the talent is there. It's just a matter of Pokka, who New York selected in the second round (No. 34) of the 2012 draft, avoiding some of the defensive lapses that hindered him last season.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Ryan Hartman, RW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 30), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Blackhawks: 5 GP, 0-0-0; Rockford, AHL: 69 GP, 13-24-37
Hartman, 20, has been compared to scrappy Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw since the day he was drafted, and nothing has changed in that regard. Hartman got his first taste of the League last season and added some instant energy with a huge hit on his very first shift. At 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, Hartman is a little bigger than Shaw but has similar offensive skills. He'll swarm the net and play in the hard areas of the ice; in other words, he won't back down from the game's physical side. There are spots on the Blackhawks roster he could fill, but in a system packed with similar prospects looking to do the same, it won't be easy to earn one.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17

Minnesota

With the signing of defenseman Mike Reilly, the Wild added to a prospect pool set up for present and future gains. Reilly, an unrestricted free agent whose draft rights with the Columbus Blue Jackets expired June 15, has a legitimate chance to earn an NHL roster spot and add to Minnesota's deep defense this season.
"The next step is to get to training camp and come in great shape and be ready to play against men. I'm looking forward to that challenge. It's going to be a lot of learning curves of ups and downs and mistakes, but I'm ready to embrace it and learn quickly to hopefully adapt to the pro level." Reilly told the Wild website.
Mike Reilly, D
How acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 1, 2015
Last season: University of Minnesota, Big Ten: 39 GP, 6-36-42
Reilly (6-foot-2, 186 pounds) impressed during a development camp scrimmage and if the 22-year-old plays in the NHL, he'll have the potential to add offensive punch. The Blue Jackets' fourth-round pick (No. 98) in the 2011 NHL Draft led NCAA defensemen in scoring and helped the United States to the bronze medal at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
"We felt that he's a guy that can come in and compete right from the start of training camp for a roster spot. So far he's proven that to be true. I'm excited to see him in camp. He's a very dynamic offensive player." Wild coach Mike Yeo said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Alex Tuch, RW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 18), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Boston College, H-East: 37 GP, 14-14-28
Tuch, 19, is coming off a minor knee injury sustained during an exhibition game at USA Hockey's National Junior Evaluation Camp, where the 6-foot-4, 225 pound forward was subsequently held off the ice for precautionary reasons. He returns to Boston College after leading the Eagles in scoring as a freshman and competing in five games at the 2015 World Junior Championship.
"I see him certainly as a top-six forward," Yeo said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Joel Eriksson Ek, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 20), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: Farjestad, Swedish Hockey League: 34 GP, 4-2-6; Farjestad junior team: 25 GP, 21-11-32
An intelligent player offensively and defensively, Eriksson Ek, 18, made an immediate impression during a development camp scrimmage with a goal and assist while making the quick decisions required to compete in the NHL. The Wild have a long-term investment in the 6-foot-2, 184-pound center, who signed a three-year contract in July and is likely to play two more seasons in Sweden, where his father is an assistant coach for Farjestad.
"I thought he was one of the best players, if not the best player, at development camp. From what I've seen his hockey sense is very, very high. That's something that's very important to me. He seems like a player that's got a mature game already." Yeo said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2017-18
Tyler Graovac, C
How acquired: 7th round (No. 191), 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: Wild: 3 GP, 0-0-0; Iowa, AHL: 73 GP, 21-25-46
Yeo is eager to see how Graovac, 22, performs in training camp and if he can start the season with Minnesota. Lauded for his work ethic, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound center will get a long look for a bottom-six position after setting career highs in assists and points in his second professional season.
"We always approach training camp with the idea that we want to better our team, and with that we want the competition of these young kids coming in and pushing to see what they can do, but there will be nothing given to them, that's for sure," Yeo said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Gustav Olofsson, D
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 46), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Iowa, AHL: 1 GP, 0-0-0
The 20-year-old likely will start this season in the AHL after missing almost all but one game last season because of shoulder surgery. Minnesota is intrigued by Olofsson, who can provide size (6-foot-3, 197 pounds) and physicality to its defense.
"We'll have an open mind in camp but for him he needs to play hockey games. For him to come up and be a seventh defenseman on our team, that's not going to happen. We need him to get out there and play some meaningful minutes." Yeo said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2017-18

Winnipeg

Solid scouting and player development are the two pillars on which the Jets are building their organization. After inheriting a farm system bereft of talent in 2011, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has rebuilt the prospect base slowly and methodically.
"I don't want to see [Cheveldayoff] change the organization's draft-and-develop approach. I like the young players we've got. We're building something here."
Jets coach Paul Maurice told Jets TV on July 3.
Connor Hellebuyck, G
How acquired: 5th round (No. 130), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: St. John's, AHL: 58 GP, 28-22-5, 2.58 GAA, .921 save percentage
Hellebuyck, 22, has risen quickly from a fifth-round draft pick who was viewed as something of a project to a potential long-term answer in goal. With two seasons of NCAA experience, Hellebuyck (6-foot-4, 185 pounds) adapted quickly to the American Hockey League. He was the starting goaltender at the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic. After his first pro season ended, Hellebuyck represented the United States at the World Championship and helped the U.S. team win finish third. Hellebuyck might need one more season in the AHL to fine-tune his game, but it would not be surprising if he pushes his way into the Jets' goaltending picture this season.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Nikolaj Ehlers, LW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 9), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Halifax, QMJHL: 51 GP, 37-64-101
The Jets have been very public about their desire to not rush prospects, but they really could use Ehlers in their lineup this season to help offset the losses of several veterans. Ehlers, 19, dominated offensively with Halifax last season and led the QMJHL in playoff scoring with 10 goals and 21 assists in 14 games.
However, in order to earn an NHL roster spot, Ehlers will need to prove he can be a dependable two-way player and responsible away from the puck. Ehlers (6-foot, 168 pounds) will need to bulk up in order to handle the NHL. He has made adding muscle and size a priority this summer but will need time to adjust to a bigger frame.
"I can improve on everything. It's going to be tough coming here and trying to get that spot on the team. I want to make the team this [season]." Ehlers said in July at Jets prospects camp.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Joshua Morrissey, D
How acquired: 1st round (No. 13), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Prince Albert/Kelowna, WHL: 47 GP, 13-25-38
Winnipeg has potential openings on the left side of its blue line. But in an ideal situation for the Jets, Morrissey (6-foot, 195 pounds) should be able to use his first full AHL season to adjust his puck-moving style to the pro game.
Morrissey won a gold medal with Canada at the World Junior Championship and Kelowna went to the Memorial Cup final.
"It was a whirlwind of a season. My conditioning is a lot better now. I'm really committed to my diet. Overall I think it was a great [season] for me."
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Andrew Copp, C
How acquired: 4th round (No. 104), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Michigan: 36 GP, 14-17-31
Much like goaltending, the fourth line has been a long-time issue for the Jets. But Copp, 21, could be a solution. He appears much larger than his listed size (6-foot, 188 pounds) and is capable of playing the sort of grinding, defensively responsible style that helped another young player, Adam Lowry, earn a roster spot last season.
"I'm trying to not worry about that too much. I'm just doing the best I can to put myself in a position to make the team out of camp." Copp said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Joel Armia, RW
How acquired: Trade with Buffalo Sabres, Feb. 11, 2015
Last season: Sabres, 1 GP, 0-0-0; Rochester/St. John's, AHL: 55 GP, 12-21-33
Armia is 22 years old and has NHL-caliber size (6-foot-3, 192 pounds). After the 2013-14 season, when he scored seven goals as an AHL rookie, he had 10 goals in 33 games with Rochester before the trade. After the trade, he scored two goals in 21 games with St. John's. Armia, who was part of the trade that sent forward Evander Kane to Buffalo, was the 16th pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17

Colorado

The Avalanche are committed to building through the NHL Draft, using free agents to fill in the gaps while waiting for their prospects to mature. The Avalanche have been stockpiling promising defensemen in the system, but right wing Mikko Rantanen, goalie Calvin Pickard and center Joey Hishon have the best chance of playing in the NHL this season.
Patrick Roy: "This is where we're going to have to focus. If we feel that we need to have a free agent to give time to our young guys to develop, we will do that. But we truly believe that the draft will be the key in our success."
Mikko Rantanen, RW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 10) in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: TPS Turku, Finland-Liiga: 56 GP, 9-19-28
The Avalanche coveted Rantanen, 18, and considered trading up to ensure his availability. They gambled by standing pat and landed the 6-foot-4, 211-pound forward, who was ranked first among international skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau. Rantanen is hopeful of joining Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon as recent Avalanche teenagers to make an immediate jump to the League. He's been playing professionally, so the Avalanche have the option of assigning him to the San Antonio Rampage, their new American Hockey League affiliate.
"I would like to see him play for us, but we're certainly going to be very patient," Roy said. "He'll come to camp and we'll see how it goes."
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Calvin Pickard, G
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 49) in 2010 NHL Draft
Last season: Lake Erie, AHL: 50 GP, 23-17-9, 2.61 GAA, .917 SV%; Colorado, NHL: 16 GP, 6-7-3, 2.35 GAA, .932 SV%
Pickard, 23, was outstanding while filling in for the injured Semyon Varlamov after the Avalanche lost faith in backup Reto Berra. He allowed two goals or fewer in eight of 16 appearances and became a fan favorite. Pickard (6-1, 200) will compete for the full-time backup position with Berra.
"I think a young guy has to play, keep working on your game," Avalanche executive vice president and general manager Joe Sakic said. "Is it going to hurt him to play another year in the minors as a No. 1 goalie, to back up what he did (last season)? No. Are we ruling him out being here (this) year? No. That's what training camp is for."
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16 (midseason)
Chris Bigras, D
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 32) in 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Owen Sound, OHL: 62 GP, 20-51-71; Lake Erie, AHL: 7 GP, 0-4-4
Bigras, 20, caught Roy's eye two years ago with his poise and efficient two-way play. Now Bigras (6-2, 194) is primed to challenge for a spot on a roster that has eight veteran defensemen under contract. A smooth skater, he has the ability to make accurate outlet passes to initiate a fast-paced transition game.
Bigras was a first team all-star in the OHL last season and said in development camp that playing against bigger and older players during his short time in the AHL was an important step for his confidence.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Joey Hishon, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 17) in 2010 NHL Draft
Last season: Lake Erie, AHL: 53 GP, 16-20-36; Colorado, NHL: 13 GP, 1-1-2
Injuries have stalled his development. Hishon, 23, missed the 2011-12 season with Owen Sound and all but nine games with Lake Erie in 2012-13 because of concussion issues. His size (5-10, 170) is another concern. But he's a slick skater and playmaker, and is coming off his best season as a pro. Relegated to spot duty after a late season recall, Hishon showed he's capable by scoring his first NHL goal, the game-winner, in spectacular fashion against Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16 (midseason)
Conner Bleackley, C
How acquired: 1st round (No. 23) in 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Red Deer, WHL: 51 GP, 27-22-49
Bleackley, 19, is expected to play one more season with Red Deer. He hasn't signed an entry-level contract and will need to report to camp in better shape than last season when Roy criticized his conditioning. Bleackley (6-foot, 192) has a high hockey IQ, plays with energy and is a team leader; he captained Red Deer the past two seasons.
Projected NHL arrival: 2017-18

Nashville

A prospect pool that wasn't very deep three years ago has become a luxury for the Predators. Long known for talent on defense, the Predators changed their approach in recent years and stockpiled prospects at forward. Some of that young talent, led by forward Kevin Fiala, might get a chance to make an impact in the NHL as soon as this season.
Kevin Fiala, LW
How acquired: 1st round (No. 11), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Predators: 1 GP, 0-0-0; HV71 Jonkoping, Swedish Hockey League: 20 GP, 5-9-14; Milwaukee, AHL: 33 GP, 11-9-20
Fiala (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) may not be the biggest player, but the offensive skill is there. The 19-year-old has the potential to be a dynamic forward for the Predators and could make the roster out of training camp. After making his NHL debut March 24, Fiala got his first taste of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season in Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round series against the Chicago Blackhawks. He's been in Nashville all summer working on building strength and said playing against Chicago showed him what it takes to be successful.

"It was a really nice experience. I'm very happy that I could play the two games. I saw how the level is, especially against Chicago. They were so good, so I know now where the level is and I'm working hard for that." Fiala said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Jimmy Vesey, LW
How acquired: 3rd round (No. 66), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Harvard, ECAC: 37 GP, 32-26-58
Vesey (6-foot-1, 194) led NCAA Division 1 with 32 goals and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top U.S. college player. The 22-year-old forward had a breakout junior season, and the Predators feel he is ready to play in the NHL. Despite having a chance to join the Predators for the 2015 playoffs, Vesey opted to stay at Harvard and finish his degree. He can join the Predators after Harvard's season ends.

"I have a great relationship [with the Predators], and I think I'm a very loyal person. At the end of the season, if the opportunity is right, I'd like to sign with Nashville." Vesey said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2015-16
Juuse Saros, G
How acquired: 4th round (No. 99), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: HPK Hameenlinna, Liiga, Finnish Elite League: 47 GP, 13-18-6, 2.14 GAA, .929 save percentage
Saros (5-foot-10, 178) is expected to make his professional debut with Milwaukee in the American Hockey League this season. Predators general manager David Poile traded goaltender Magnus Hellberg to the New York Rangers to make room in Milwaukee for Saros, 20, who was the backup goaltender behind Pekka Rinne for Finland at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Viktor Arvidsson, LW
How acquired: 4th round (No. 112), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Predators: 6 GP, 0-0-0; Milwaukee, AHL: 70 GP, 22-33-55
Arvidsson (5-foot-9, 172) is similar to Fiala in that he isn't big but does have a lot of speed and skill. The 22-year-old forward led Milwaukee with 55 points in his first pro season and had 272 shots on goal. Arvidsson likely will see some time in the NHL this season, but the Predators can take their time developing him thanks to their depth at forward.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17
Colton Sissons, C
How acquired: 2nd round (No. 50), 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: Milwaukee, AHL: 76 GP, 25-17-42
Sissons (6-foot-1, 187) is a two-way center who the Predators have compared to Mike Fisher. The 21-year-old centered the top line in Milwaukee and had more than 40 points for a second straight season. Nashville's pipeline at center seems to be too crowded for Sissons to earn a roster spot out of training camp, but he has skills that translate to the NHL.
Projected NHL arrival: 2016-17