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-Prospects: THN's top 10-

THN Isles Future Watch
Feb 17: The Hockey News released their annual NHL future watch issue dated February 21. It is in this issue that a group of scouts rate the top 50 prospects in the entire NHL as well as each club's top 10 prospects. The Following is the Isles excerpt:

Isles Given Early Baptism
Recalls from Bridgeport get taste of NHL hockey
by Peter Botte

The NHL's 2003 All-Star Game rosters included several familiar faces for fans of the New York Islanders. Former draft picks and/or prospects such as Eric Brewer, Zdeno Chara and Olli Jokinen all participated.

Nevertheless, GM Mike Milbury used those players and other to complete trades for current Isles such as all-star defenseman Roman Hamrlik and former all-stars Alexei Yashin and Mark Parrish.

And it's not like the prospect coffers are bare. Five of the 10 players listed below have dressed for the Isles this season, although none were needed to prodece to the extent of unprepared and overworked youngsters like departed Tim Connolly and others in recent seasons.

Here are the top 5 prospects in order:

1. Rick DiPietro, G, Bridgeport....The brash 21 year old netminder strongly believes he's ready for the NHL, and the Isles are having a hard time disagreeing with him. Chris Osgood's January ankle injury necessitated DiPietro's recall from Bridgeport, where he quietly posted tremendous numbers. In three NHL starts before the all-star break, DiPietro posted two wins, a 2.01 goals against average and .921 save percentage. Opponents noticeably have limited amount of dump-ins against him because of his lauded puck handling ability. Acquired: 2000 entry draft, first overall.

2. Raffi Torres, LW, Bridgeport....He causes havoc and creates occasional scoring chances for himself and others with a pinball mentality on the ice. But top five draft picks have to contribute some offense and the question remains whether he can provide it. In 29 NHL games, he has scored exactly zero goals. The Isles still are optimistic because Torres scored as many as 43 times in junior one season and recorded a 20 goal season last year in Bridgeport. He looks destined for third line duty, maybe even fourth, at this level. Acquired: 2000 entry draft, fifth overall.
Note: Traded March 11th, 2003 to Edmonton with LW Brad Isbister for D Janne Niinimaa.

3. Sean Bergenheim, C, Jokerit...He excelled in the recent world junior tournament, emerging as a leader on the Finnish squad. His well rounded game is based on energy, speed, tenacity and puck pursuit. "He has excellent speed and hockey sense," said an Isles' scout. " I think he has the chance to be minimally a very good third line player in the league, with a chance to be more than that depending on how his skills develop." Acquired: 2002 entry draft, 22nd overall.

4. Trent Hunter, RW, Bridgeport....Coach Peter Laviolette and the Isles believed the 6 foot 3 winger would compete for a top six forward role this season, following his impressive showing as an injury fill in during last spring's Stanley Cup playoffs. But he showed up in camp in less than peak physical condition and he has spent most of the season at Bridgeport, where he is headed to a team leading point total for the second straight year. Acquired: Trade with Anaheim(not Columbus - IslesInfo), May 23, 2000.

5. Justin Mapletoft, C, Bridgeport....Laviolette was impressed with his work ethic and understanding of the game from a defensive perspective earlier this season, which our scout believes "will be his ticket to full time employment in the NHL." Mapletoft could be a cheap replacement for veteran Claude Lapointe, a pending unrestricted free agent, as a penalty killer and fourth line center as early as next season. And the thing is, Mapletoft was a remarkable scorer in junior. Acquired: 1999 entry draft, 130th overall.

6. Eric Godard, RW, Bridgeport....Team's enforcer of the future has already taken on Toronto's Tie Domi and done well. Acquired: Trade with Florida, June 22, 2002.

7. Kristofer Ottosson, RW, Djurgarden....Cerebral forward is among scoring leaders in Sweden. But must prove he can play in the NHL. Acquired: 2000 entry draft, 148th overall.

8. Roman Kuhtinov, D, Ufa....Decent skating and puck skills, similar to late arrival Radek Martinek. Acquired: 2001 entry draft, 280th overall.

9. Jan Holub, D, Liberec....Is willing to play with an edge, but needs to add bulk to his 6 foot 2 frame. Acquired: 2001 entry draft, 197th overall.

10. Ryan Caldwell, D, Denver....Tall, lanky collegian with decent offensive skills long shot as powerplay specialist. Acquired: 2000 entry draft, 202nd overall.