This is my annual midseason update of the top 50 NHL prospects. The summer top 100 can be viewed here.
I've seen almost all of these prospects live, and most of them within the past six months. Notes used for these evaluations include conversations with scouts and NHL executives. I consider statistical production heavily, adjusted for age, league and other important pieces of context.
Keep in mind there have been a fair amount of graduations from the summer rankings, with about 15 of my previous top 50 currently in the NHL.
Criteria for a prospect "graduating" are either 25 NHL games played in any one season, 50 total NHL games played in his career or a current spot on an NHL roster (as of Jan. 11). The latter graduates Connor McDavid, Shea Theodore and Jake Virtanen.
1. Dylan Strome, C, Arizona Coyotes (Previous: 7)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 194
Team: Erie (OHL) | GP: 27 | G: 16 | A: 39
The No. 1 spot was a coin flip for me between Strome and Mitch Marner, although Strome's performance at the World Junior Championship was certainly an argument to blow on the coin a little. Strome can slow the game down and see the ice with the best of them. He's also a top-end sniper, showing a unique ability to get pucks through traffic with a hard, accurate wrist shot. He makes plays with a type of game-processing skill that most top players don't exhibit, and that could make him a No. 1 center in the NHL someday.
2. Mitch Marner, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous: 4)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 163
Team: London (OHL) | GP: 27 | G: 24 | A: 37
I love watching Marner play because he has such an exciting element to his game. His combination of speed, hands and hockey IQ are so rare to find. He's incredibly elusive and creative while playing at a quick tempo, which is why I feel he can make the same elite skill plays at the NHL level and has the potential to be a star. Sure, he's not perfect, as his size and physical game can improve, but his defense isn't too much of a hole.
3. William Nylander, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous: 6)
Age: 19 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 190
Team: Toronto (AHL) | GP: 27 | G: 14 | A: 20
Nylander had been having one of the best seasons ever by a teenager in the AHL, but a swift blow to the head at the WJC has put question marks on his health for the rest of the season. When healthy, he's a filthy offensive weapon, with high-end if not elite speed, hands and passing skills; he has shown significant improvement on working to win battles and hold his defensive position, although that will never be his selling point.
4. Daniel Sprong, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous: 43)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181
Team: Charlottetown (QMJHL) | GP: 7 | G: 6 | A: 4
Sprong probably shouldn't have started the season in the NHL, but he made a reasonable case after strengthening up over the summer and improving (albeit nowhere near perfecting) his play away from the puck. His offensive tools -- skating, puck skills and shot -- are all high-end, and his playmaking has impressed me more than during his draft season. As of next fall, he could be with the Penguins for the long haul.
5. Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous: 19)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 209
Team: Michigan (NCAA) | GP: 17 | G: 6 | A: 9
Werenski was the best defenseman at the WJC (a rare feat for an underage player) and has continued to be a force in the Big 10 this season for Michigan. His hockey sense is elite; he shows the ability to move the puck from the blue line with the best of them. Werenski understands how to evade pressure and move the puck into open spaces very well, on top of being very mobile and having a good stick defensively. His main weakness is his toughness, as he can be a little light on his checks at times.
6. Mathew Barzal, C, New York Islanders (Previous: 13)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 187
Team: Seattle (WHL) | GP: 27 | G: 11 | A: 34
Barzal nearly made the Islanders' NHL roster out of training camp, and since then has been great in the WHL and was one of Canada's best players at the WJC. His vision and hockey IQ are off-the-charts tools, he exhibits plus skating and hands, and he's one of the best playmakers you'll see outside the NHL ranks. The Islanders are giving him an extra year in junior to work on the nonscoring components of his game.
7. Pavel Buchnevich, LW, New York Rangers (Previous: 14)
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 176
Team: Severstal/SKA (KHL) | GP: 46 | G: 12 | A: 19
Buchnevich was the leading scorer for his KHL team (Severstal Cherepovets) prior to being traded to a contender (SKA St. Petersburg) a few weeks ago in what will likely be his final season in that league. He's not the same level of prospect as some past KHL stars (Vladimir Tarasenko, Evgeny Kuznetsov) but he's still a top-end player. Buchnevich is extremely skilled, with above-average speed to couple with decent size. He could take a top-nine NHL shift right away starting next season.
8. Kevin Fiala, LW, Nashville Predators (Previous: 11)
Age: 19 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 192
Team: Milwaukee (AHL) | GP: 34 | G: 6 | A: 15
Fiala's scoring is down in the AHL this season, but he's played well at times, just failing to get the bounces in some instances. He can still stand to improve his defensive play, particularly his physical battles, as his underwhelming strength level can show at times. Fiala has also been caught forcing plays a little too much. But most of the time, he's a high-end skill player with great vision and elusiveness.
9. Jakub Vrana, LW, Washington Capitals (Previous: 22)
Age: 19 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185
Team: Hershey (AHL) | GP: 6 | G: 2 | A: 4
Vrana's stock has held steady, as he injured his wrist very early in the season and has been on the shelf since then. Scouts I talked to who saw him play for Washington's AHL affiliate came back with very good impressions of a player who was able to translate his high skill level at that level. He still needs to bulk up a ton, but he is on the right development track if he can get back on the ice.
10. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes (Previous: 54)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 172
Team: Karpat (Liiga) | GP: 27 | G: 11 | A: 12
Aho has done nothing but produce everywhere he's gone. He's one of the most dominant players ever from the Finnish junior leagues; he's been a point-per-game, high-minutes player in the top men's league (Liiga) in Finland, and was incredible at the recent WJC. He has great speed, skill and pace to his game on top of being capable defensively despite subpar size.
11. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Colorado Avalanche (Previous: 26)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 212
Team: San Antonio (AHL) | GP: 22 | G: 10 | A: 16
Rantanen's WJC performance was a little up and down, but overall, he's been dynamite this season. He had a great NHL camp, and since being sent back to the AHL he's been on fire for San Antonio. His skill level for a big man is fantastic, and while his speed can still leave you wanting at times, he creates a ton with his offensive instincts and individual ability. He should be a full-timer with the Avs by this time next year.
12. Vladislav Kamenev, C, Nashville Predators (Previous: 37)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185
Team: Milwaukee (AHL) | GP: 24 | G: 6 | A: 8
Kamenev has been nothing but impressive this season. He was Russia's best forward at the WJC and was named to the AHL all-star game as a 19-year-old. He's a big, skilled center with great two-way hockey sense. He can make chances happen by winning battles, setting up teammates or making a skill play. Kamenev is also quite advanced defensively for a 19-year-old.
13. Nic Petan, C, Winnipeg Jets (Previous: 25)
Age: 20 | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 179
Team: Manitoba (AHL) | GP: 20 | G: 2 | A: 12
Petan broke camp with the Jets, but they wisely sent him back to the AHL given how limited he would have been used this season. Petan's continued to be a playmaking machine as he was through his WHL years. His size is always going to be a significant issue, but he can make dazzling offensive plays and has the hockey IQ to learn how to overcome a lot of the challenges pro hockey will throw at him as he gets stronger.
14. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild (Previous: Unranked)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 192
Team: Novokuznetsk (KHL)| GP: 42 | G: 10 | A: 14
Kaprizov has been one of the top players on his KHL team this season (mind you it's a bad KHL squad) as an 18-year-old, regularly getting 19 or 20 minutes of ice time in the first half. His exceptional skill level shows a really high level of coordination, creativity and vision with the puck. He's an above-average skater and finisher as well. Kaprizov is a small guy and could have a little more fight in him, but he has a strong lower body. He's been the biggest riser by far from the 2015 draft class, after being selected in the fifth round.
15. Adrian Kempe, LW, Los Angeles Kings (Previous: 51)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 187
Team: Ontario (AHL) | GP: 23 | G: 8 | A: 10
Kempe's past 12 months have been impressive, particularly in how well he's adjusted to the AHL and become one of his team's better players. His speed is elite, making him of the most explosive prospects in the AHL. He shows a decent power game and has done well bulking up, which was an issue during his draft season. Kempe has become more confident in his offensive game, which helps his ability to set up teammates better, and he has a killer wrist shot.
16. Timo Meier, LW, San Jose Sharks (Previous: 67)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 212
Team: Halifax (QMJHL) | GP: 23 | G: 11 | A: 25
I was a little overly critical of Meier in his draft year. Maybe it was his playing with Nikolaj Ehlers that messed with my head a little; maybe it was some other form of bias. Regardless, he's steadily made me a big fan, even though he was underwhelming in the round robin portion of the WJC. He's a good skater with a high skill level and a great motor. He could be a little bit of a better playmaker and have more patience in his game, but he attacks defenses well, and is a solid penalty killer on top of all the offense he creates. He was dealt from Halifax to Rouyn-Noranda earlier this month, and he has three goals and two assists in two games for the Huskies.
17. Ivan Provorov, D, Philadelphia Flyers (Previous: 31)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 201
Team: Brandon (WHL) | GP: 32 | G: 9 | A: 23
Provorov was one of the best defensemen at the WJC, and continues to be a pillar for his WHL team. His hockey sense is top-end. He just looks like a unique player on the ice in terms of how he moves the puck, jumps into the attack and anticipates the play. He looks a little awkward traveling around the ice due to his skating style, but he makes it work very well for him, and overall I'd rate him very good in that area. He projects as a top-end scorer with average to slightly above-average defensive abilities.
18. Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators (Previous: Unranked)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190
Team: Saint John (QMJHL) | GP: 24 | G: 7 | A: 14
Chabot had a really strong NHL camp, a good first half of the season in the QMJHL and was one of Canada's better defensemen at the WJC as an underage player. His skating is ridiculously good for a 6-foot-2 player. Chabot is also a coordinated puck handler who moves it up the ice very well. His defense is a work in progress, but he's shown significant improvement there, leading to a large bump in his overall prospect value. Filling out his lanky frame will go a long way toward closing the gap in that area.
19. Pavel Zacha, C, New Jersey Devils (Previous: 24)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 209
Team: Sarnia (OHL) | GP: 25 | G: 17 | A: 16
Zacha was a last cut from New Jersey's camp. He's been Sarnia's best player this season despite not having fantastic point totals. Zacha is a really dynamic forward. He's a good skater and puck handler for a big man, and has an elite shot. He's the kind of forward who can go around or through you in a dynamic fashion, although he doesn't do that consistently. There are some red flags on Zacha's game, but there's also a ton to like and reason to think he has big-time upside.
20. Colin White, C, Ottawa Senators (Previous: 75)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 183
Team: Boston College (NCAA) | GP: 18 | G: 11 | A: 16
White has put an up-and-down draft season behind him, and has looked like the top-end prospect he was as a 16-year-old. White has been an outstanding all-around forward for Boston College, and had a very strong WJC. White has a fantastic hockey brain, and is always around the puck making some type of play in all three zones. He's an above-average skater and puck handler with great vision. White has shown over the years he can be one of his team's top scorers and penalty killers.
21. Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous: 36)
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 176
Team: Lake Erie (AHL) | GP: 20 | G: 3 | A: 6
Though he has missed some time this season because of a minor injury, Bjorkstrand has been pretty solid when he has been in the lineup for Lake Erie (AHL). Bjorkstrand is a highly skilled puck handler with a big-time shot. He thinks the game very well, including being decent in the defensive end. His skating has continued to show improvements as well. Bjorkstrand's size and strength level are his biggest liabilities.
22. Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous: 38)
Age: 19 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 165
Team: Moose Jaw (WHL) | GP: 21 | G: 19 | A: 28
Point went to the end of Tampa's camp this fall, and probably will be in the conversation for a full-time job next season, especially if there is some (cough cough) movement in the current roster. Point is a dynamic scorer with high-end puck skills and vision, combined with above-average speed and finishing ability. He's incredibly slippery on the ice, and sees his options develop about as well as any other player in the major junior leagues. He's very small, and still fairly slight, and will need to have a big summer in the gym to make a more legitimate NHL argument next fall.
23. Travis Konecny, C, Philadelphia Flyers (Previous: 18)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 176
Team: Ottawa (OHL) | GP: 29 | G: 7 | A: 38
Konecny has been great in the first few months of this OHL season, and should be a key part of Sarnia's playoff run after being traded to them (he has three goals in two games since the trade). He's a really exciting player to watch because he's a little engine who can beat you with speed or skill, or pummel you into the ice, despite his diminutive frame. If he can stay healthy as a pro, he has all the tools to be successful in the NHL as a scorer. While often tagged as an "energy bug," he does have dynamic skill components to his game as well.
24. Lawson Crouse, LW, Florida Panthers (Previous: 23)
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 214
Team: Kingston (OHL) | GP: 22 | G: 9 | A: 15
At this point, we can say Crouse is a very good two-way forward. He's a huge, strong winger with good speed and hands who can dominate a game physically. Crouse is always around the puck because of his speed and work ethic, on top of being a very aware player off the puck. I am slightly more skeptical about his offensive potential in the NHL than I was at the draft last June. I would have liked to have seen more progression this season, but there is still a lot he does well to impact a game aside from scoring.
25. Anthony Beauvillier, LW, New York Islanders (Previous: 66)
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 179
Team: Shawinigan (QMJHL) | GP: 23 | G: 19 | A: 24
Beauvillier has been one of the best players in the major junior leagues this season, scoring two points per game and generating five shots on goal per game. Beauvillier has above-average or better speed, hands and finishing ability. His hockey sense is fantastic, displaying great vision and decision-making while also being a quality defensive forward despite his size.
26. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous: 29)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181
Team: Toronto (AHL) | GP: 17 | G: 5 | A: 5
Kapanen is by no means a perfect prospect. Several NHL scouts I've talked to this season can provide a list of things he can improve on away from the puck, such as his physical play. However, he is so dynamic, with so much offensive potential that it's hard to not be excited about him. Kapanen's speed and hands are top-end, and he can be so hard to contain coming through the neutral zone or when he gets the puck with space.
27. Nick Ritchie, LW, Anaheim Ducks (Previous: 55)
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 231
Team: San Diego (AHL) | GP: 23 | G: 14 | A: 9
Ritchie has been very impressive this season, being named to the AHL All-Star game and even getting 11 games with the Ducks as well. He's a big, strong, aggressive forward with offensive talent. Ritchie can skate and shoot the puck at an above-average level, as well as make some individual plays with the puck. He's not the best playmaker in terms of slowing the game down and looking for options, but he can still generate offense by carrying the puck in the zone and winning battles.
28. Julius Honka, D, Dallas Stars (Previous: 60)
Age: 20 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185
Team: Texas (AHL) | GP: 38 | G: 7 | A: 14
Honka is an exciting offensive defenseman with the ability to lead the rush and control a power play at a high level. His skating is elite; he effortlessly gains speed off each stride, and can be a nightmare to check in open ice. Honka is also a skilled, creative puck mover with a howitzer from the point. He is still trying to work on his defensive game, particularly when it comes to winning battles against bigger pro forwards.
29. Ivan Barbashev, C, St. Louis Blues (Previous: 28)
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181
Team: Chicago (AHL) | GP: 30 | G: 7 | A: 11
There is a lot to like about what Barabshev brings to the table. He's skilled, he sees the ice very well, he can finish and he has a little edge to his game, too. The AHL transition has been a little bumpy for Barbashev, but ultimately he's been a solid player for his team. As he continues to gain strength and adjust to the faster pace, he'll be that much closer to making the Blues roster.
30. Evgeni Svechnikov, C, Detroit Red Wings (Previous: 21)
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205
Team: Cape Breton (QMJHL) | GP: 27 | G: 17 | A: 22
Svechnikov has a lot of desirable elements to his game. He's a big, sturdy forward with fantastic puck skills, a good shot, a competitive fire battling for pucks and a lot of offensive creativity. His lackluster WJC exposed some of the areas he needs to work on, such as his foot speed and defensive play. He's a player who bleeds upside, but might need a decent amount of time at the AHL level to round out his game.