The Journey examines Dobber’s top forward and defenseman prospect lists and assesses the fast risers in the May rankings.

Forwards

Jakub Vrana – Washington Capitals – Up to 20th from 37th Overall

Yet another forward drafted in the middle of the first round by Washington, a team that feels like they haven’t picked in the top-eight in ages yet continues to stockpile lethal forwards from Europe. The Czech-born Vrana was the 13^th pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, selected for his ability to consistently create offense for himself and his linemates. He joined the Capitals system late last season from the Swedish League, and appeared in 10 games for Hershey during their playoff run, scoring six points. An early season wrist injury kept him out of the lineup for the better part of this season, but when he recovered he averaged close to a point per game for the Bears. With 34 points in 36 games during the regular season and thus far adding nine points in his first 10 playoff games of this year, its obvious that Vrana’s offense translates to the North American game. Given the Capitals glut of top-nine talent, they have the ability to keep Vrana in the AHL next year and let him dominate, but don’t be surprised if he makes his NHL at some point in the 2016-17 season.

Timo Meier – San Jose Sharks – Up to 32nd Overall from 51st Overall

If there was anything positive that came out of San Jose missing the playoffs last season, it was the opportunity to draft the talented Meier ninth overall. After piling up 90 points for Halifax of the Quebec League in his draft year, Meier started slowly out of the gate for a Mooseheads team destined for a second to last place finish. Looking to gain future assets for their best player, Halifax shipped their captain to Rouyn-Noranda where he returned to form. In 29 regular season games for the Huskies, the Swiss-born Meier put up 51 points, and tacked on 23 more in 18 playoff games en route to the QMJHL title. The big-bodied winger is a perfect fit for both the Sharks system and roster due to his style of play and the fact that they have some forwards who will be retiring in the next few seasons. With a strong camp, Meier could challenge for a spot in San Jose as early as next year. 

Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks – Up to 75th Overall from 112th Overall

Outside of Kyle Connor, Boeser had the best freshman season in the NCAA’s last year. Playing on a line with Oilers recent signee Drake Caggiula and Blackhawks prospect Nick Schmaltz, the Minnesota-born 2015 first round pick finished third in college hockey in scoring with 60 points in 44 games. The freshman was a vital player, relied upon to be a primary scorer and helped lead North Dakota to their first NCAA Championship since 2000. He has already stated that he will return to Grand Forks for his sophomore season, but is a candidate to jump directly to the NHL when his college career is wrapped up. Depending on how long UND’s season goes in defense of their title, he could make his NHL debut for the Canucks at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Alan Quine – New York Islanders – Up to 124th Overall from 177th Overall

Quine took a much different path to the NHL then the prospects above. Drafted in the third round of the 2011 Draft by Detroit, he failed to sign and returned to the Ontario Hockey League as an overage player. The Islanders took a chance on him for the second time in the 2013 Draft as a sixth round selection after playing for three different OHL teams. Splitting time between the AHL and ECHL to start his pro career, Quine carved a spot out for himself in 2014-15 with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and has finished as top scorer for them the past two seasons. He tasted his first NHL action this year playing in two regular season games and 10 of the Islanders 11 playoff games. He projects as a secondary scorer who can play on the power-play and shorthanded, likely in a third line role. In his 12 games played this year he tallied 6 points and recorded 27 hits.

Defensemen

Jakub Zboril – Boston Bruins – Up to 34th Overall from 39th Overall

Drafted by Boston with 13^th overall selection of last year’s draft with the pick acquired from LA in the Milan Lucic trade, Zboril is a two-way defenseman who is solid in all areas. Playing with Saint John in the QMJHL, the Czech-born Zboril was hampered by an injury at the start of the season, but recovered to play in the World Junior Championships, and finished the season out with a semi-final series loss to eventual runner-up Shawinigan. The potential top-pair defenseman is not long from making his NHL debut, and will get a long look in Bruins camp this fall with Boston auditioning a youthful blueline. The jury is still out on whether Zboril will be number one defenseman and power-play quarterback or settle into a role alongside a top playmaker to complete a formidable top pairing. His durability has also been a concern over the last two years, where he has missed significant time with injury.

Jordan Subban – Vancouver Canucks – Up to 27th Overall from 30th Overall

Any questions to whether or not Subban’s offensive abilities would transition to the pro game were answered in his first season with the AHL’s Utica Comets. After putting up three consecutive seasons of over 40 points for Belleville in the OHL, Subban finished in sixth among AHL rookie defensemen in scoring this year. The fourth round pick in the 2013 Draft was knocked for his size and defensive shortcomings, but has the pedigree and on-ice hockey sense to succeed in the NHL. Labeled as strictly an offensive defenseman at the time he was drafted, he has worked tirelessly at developing the defensive side of his game. Although he will never be a lock-down defender, Subban will need to continue to develop on that side of the puck to stick in the NHL. With Vancouver needing an offensive shot in the arm from the back-end, Subban could end up being a bottom three defenseman who thrives on the power-play.

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