Prospect Ranking Update Howard seizes No. 1 spot in ranking, surpasses Grigorenko ... By Matthew Wuest - www.RedWingsCentral.com January 17, 2007 For the first time in RedWingsCentral.com’s history, a goaltender sits atop the website’s ranking of Detroit Red Wings prospects. Jimmy Howard, the starting goaltender for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, has assumed the No. 1 spot in the mid-season ranking, narrowly edging out former first-round pick Jakub Kindl, a defenseman with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. Both have surpassed Russian right-winger Igor Grigorenko, who held the top spot for the past year. He now sits third. Cory Emmerton and Jan Mursak, forwards selected in last summer’s draft, make their debuts in the ranking, assuming top-five spots. The following is a review of the new top 25, with comments on each prospect from Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill, director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell, director of European scouting Hakan Andersson and Griffins general manager Bob McNamara: 1. Jimmy Howard, G, 6-0, 215, Grand Rapids (AHL). Howard is big and looks unbeatable at times, but needs to become more consistent. The 22-year-old is Detroit's undisputed goaltender of the future. "His upside is to be a No. 1 in the NHL," said McNamara. "It's up to him." 2. Jakub Kindl, D, 6-3, 202, Kitchener (OHL). He's a potential top-four defenseman if he irons out some decision-making issues. He almost made the Red Wings out of camp this season and isn't far off. "He's the kind of guy who plays better with better players," said McDonnell. 3. Igor Grigorenko, RW, 5-10, 209, Togliatti (RUS). Grigorenko has tremendous hands and is producing in Russia. His foot-speed is a concern, but the Red Wings plan to sign him this summer. "We've talked to him and his agent," said Nill. "He knows it's time for him to get over." 4. Cory Emmerton, C, 6-0, 190, Kingston (OHL). Ranked as a first-round pick in last year's draft, Emmerton is a top-line prospect whose offensive upside is as good as anybody's in the system. Leg strength and toughness are weak points. "He's a very smart player," said McDonnell. 5. Jan Mursak, RW, 5-11, 167, Saginaw (OHL). The competitive Mursak lacks strength, but has everything else -- speed, spunk and oodles of offensive talent. He looks like another late-round gem. "He's been one of the top players in the OHL," said Nill. "He's a really good prospect." 6. Justin Abdelkader, LW, 6-1, 209, Michigan State (NCAA). Abdelkader skates well, has excellent size and is a strong physical presence. It all adds up to a future Grind Liner, though he'll never be a scoring star. "He's in your face and has the physical maturity," said Nill. 7. Johan Ryno, C, 6-5, 209, Timra (SWE). He had a slow start because of off-season back surgery, but has turned it up a notch with a new team and has fantastic upside. "He's the guy who has the biggest chance out of Europe to be an impact player in Detroit," said Andersson. 8. Darren Helm, C, 6-0, 182, Medicine Hat (WHL). A burner with top-flight speed, Helm's grit and puck savvy make him a legitimate Grind Line prospect -- if he bulks up. "Helm was real impressive (at the world junior championship)," said McDonnell. "He can really skate." 9. Derek Meech, D, 5-11, 197, Grand Rapids (AHL). The Red Wings think Meech will soon surprise in the NHL, much like Brett Lebda did two seasons ago. He's an AHL all-star who has benefited from the new rules. "He's an Andrew Ference type of guy," said Nill. "He's proven that this year." 10. Kyle Quincey, D, 6-2, 215, Grand Rapids (AHL). When he isn't trying to do too much, he plays a steady, physical game and makes smart, quick first passes. But he hasn't done that on a consistent basis this season. "He just needs to work on the simple things," said McNamara. 11. Jonathan Ericsson, D, 6-5, 218, Grand Rapids (AHL). The AHL's top-scoring rookie blueliner is the ranking's highest riser, but must complement his size and hands with consistency. "It's amazing," said Nill. "He's been the biggest surprise, of anybody, from Day 1 of camp." 12. Daniel Larsson, G, 6-0, 170, Djurgarden (SWE). Larsson is athletic and plays a structured game, and is already one of the top goaltenders in Sweden. "He's a little bit up-and-down like any young guy in a new league, but he's certainly shown real potential," said Andersson. 13. Shawn Matthias, C, 6-4, 205, Belleville (OHL). Matthias is a swift-skating big man, a rarity in Detroit's system. He is a future checking-line centre, if he gains confidence and becomes more assertive. "His size is something we'd love to have (in Detroit)," said McDonnell. 14. Dick Axelsson, LW, 6-2, 198, Huddinge (SWE-2). Axelsson is a pure offensive player who scores with ease at Sweden's second level. He'll be closely watched in Sweden's top league next season. "He has a great feel inside the blue line," said Andersson. "Score, pass ... whatever." 15. Evan McGrath, C, 6-0, 195, Grand Rapids (AHL). He is a slick playmaker with great vision, but his gaudy junior point totals haven't translated so far in the AHL. "He's a first-year guy trying to find his way, but he has obvious NHL upside," said McNamara. 16. Anton Axelsson, LW, 6-0, 187, Frolunda (SWE). Axelsson doesn't get prime ice time in Sweden, but the Red Wings feel he deserves it. He's another hard-working third-liner. "He's a checker, a good skater, he reads the game and is useful for the team," said Andersson. 17. Stefan Liv, G, 6-0, 177, Grand Rapids (AHL). After years in Sweden, the athletic, reflex goaltender struggled with the initial transition to North America. Lately, he has found his rhythm. "He's had to adjust his game a little bit," said McNamara. "At times, he's been outstanding." 18. Mattias Ritola, RW, 6-0, 198, Leksands (SWE-2). Buried on a veteran, dump-and-chase Swedish second-tier team, Ritola still has a shot at a contract. "After (Washington first-rounder Nicklas) Backstrom, Ritola might be the most talented (Swede) in that age group," said Andersson. 19. Logan Pyett, D, 5-11, 198, Regina (WHL). He's a lot like Derek Meech, only more dynamic offensively and not quite as steady defensively. He's producing nearly a point-per-game and is a good darkhorse prospect. "He's one of those players the new rules have really helped," said Nill. 20. Gennady Stolyarov, RW, 6-4, 203, Dynamo Moscow (RUS). Stolyarov is skating on a top line in Russia and has started to produce. He's growing out of his youthful immaturity and has size, speed and hands. "If he ever makes it, he's a high-end player," said Andersson. 21. Jeff May, D, 6-2, 196, Prince Albert (WHL). May has solid size and is a safe, steady defenseman. He logs all kinds of ice time in all situations in the WHL and projects as a reliable depth player -- if the Wings sign him. "He fits the (Kyle Quincey) type of mold," said McDonnell. 22. Sergei Kolosov, D, 6-4, 187, Cedar Rapids (USHL). He's a big, mean defenseman -- making him one of a kind in Detroit's prospect pipeline. He's still lean and raw, but the Red Wings may want to sign him to see how he fares in the pros. "He plays a stay-at-home game," said Nill. 23. Ryan Oulahen, C, 6-0, 190, Grand Rapids (AHL). Oulahen is a defensive center who does all the little things well. He doesn't do much offensively and needs to become a little bit more gritty, but the Red Wings like his development. "He's really finding a niche," said Nill. 24. Bretton Stamler, D, 6-1, 207, Seattle (WHL). He's in a fight for a contract with Jeff May and others, which means he might get caught in a numbers game. His upside is limited, but he's a tough, steady, character defenseman. "We definitely have interest in him," said Nill. 25. Miroslav Blatak, D, 6-0, 183, Mora (SWE). Blatak is a top-flight, two-way European defenseman, but won't get a contract unless he makes an impact at a world championship and improves his weaknesses. "It's strength and learning to compete every night," said Nill. NOTE: The following prospects have graduated from the ranking: Brett Lebda, Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Tomas Kopecky and Joey MacDonald. CONTENT ADVISORY: The next prospect update will be released in early June, after the season has ended and all signing deadlines have passed. RedWingsCentral.com's complete prospect list