Prospects Analysis: 2015-16 Rankings, 26-50

This is the third in a four-part series covering our top-100 prospects for the 2015-16 season. Each piece will cover 25 prospects and then we will have a second four-part feature that will cover the top-10 prospects of each individual team by division. Now, onto the rankings.

(Note: Only players with less than 25 games played are included.)

26. Jakub Vrana (F, Washington Capitals): A highly skilled winger, Vrana will give Washington coach Barry Trotz another elite offensive option once he arrives in the NHL. Vrana played last year in Sweden before finishing the season in Hershey (AHL). He was productive for both teams and is a sleeper to make the Caps roster out of camp. It wouldn't surprise if Vrana's career path follows that of fellow Capitals youngster Andre Burakovsky. That said, he makes the roster out of camp, plays some games, is scratched others and ultimately spends more time in the AHL. I don't think it's the right game plan, but I can certainly see it happening. Vrana has all the offensive ability in the world and he needs to player regularly -- no matter where that is.

27. Timo Meier (F, San Jose Sharks): San Jose's prospect pool has long been amongst the worst in the league, but the selection of Meier with the ninth overall pick this past June was certainly a step in the right direction. Meier was one of my favorite players available. He's a physically mature kid who has a chance to be a big time goal scorer at the NHL level. He scored 44 goals for Halifax (QMJHL) last year; don't be shocked if he reaches 50 goals this year. The Sharks are an aging team that badly need some youth injected into their lineup. Meier could be ready for NHL duty after just one more year in Halifax.

28. Kasperi Kapanen (F, Toronto Maple Leafs): The move from Pittsburgh to Toronto in the Phil Kessel deal should ultimately help Kapanen. He joins a team will a bevy of talented offensive prospects and one that isn't expected to contend for a few more years. Kapanen has been playing against men for the better part of the past three seasons, so he has more experience than your average 19-year-old. He ultimately could be a second-line winger who can stickhandle around defenders and use his outside speed to his advantage. Expect him to begin this season in the AHL, but it's likely that he sees spot duty with the Leafs this year.

29. Anthony DeAngelo (D, Tampa Bay Lightning): DeAngelo had a marvelous season. Splitting time between Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), he finished with 25 goals and 89 points in just 55 games. Keep in mind DeAngelo is a defenseman. Well, technically he's a defenseman; he's actually more of a rover. Think Dustin Byfuglien when he's playing defense. DeAngelo needs to bulk up and learn how to play in his own end. He's gotten better in both areas, but he still needs work. It would by no means be surprising if 10 years from now, DeAngelo had turned into the most valuable fantasy defensemen on this list. A native of New Jersey, DeAngelo will play this season in the AHL.

30. Travis Sanheim (D, Philadelphia Flyers): The Flyers have to be absolutely thrilled with Sanheim's development. When he was selected 17th overall in the 2014 draft, he was seen as a kid who had all the tools to succeed, but was raw as a player. Little more than a year later, Sanheim has developed into one of the better defensive prospects in the league. After putting up 29 points in 67 games two seasons ago for Calgary (WHL), Sanheim raised that number to 65 points in 67 games last season. For such a big kid (6-foot-4, 200), he bring a unique dynamic element from the back end. Sanheim should spend one last season in juniors and be a key cog for Team Canada at the World Juniors.

31. Ivan Provorov (D, Philadelphia Flyers): The Flyers targeted Provorov in June's draft and grabbed him seventh overall without having to trade up. The Russian defender has been playing in North America the last four seasons. Provorov put up 15 goals and 61 points in 60 games for Brandon (WHL) last season, but he likely won't provide quite that much offense in the NHL. However, he has enough ability that he should eventually turn into a fantasy option. Provorov's game is remarkably refined for a kid who only turned 18 in January. The Flyers are so in love with him they'll likely give him a chance to make their roster out of camp. I would send him back to the WHL for one more season and have him play 30 minutes a night.

32. Kyle Connor (F, Winnipeg Jets): It was baffling and confusing how Connor fell to the Jets with the 17th overall pick in June's draft. Connor's speed and hands are elite -- as in among the best of any prospect in the league. He works hard on the forecheck. He dominated the low-scoring USHL to the tune of 34 goals and 80 points in 56 games last season, and he will head to the University of Michigan this fall. It's just about overall refinement for Connor. It seems doubtful he would need more than two seasons in Ann Arbor.

33. Nick Ritchie (F, Anaheim Ducks): Ritchie dealt with injuries last season, but he was productive when he managed to suit up. In 48 OHL games split between Peterborough and Sault Ste. Marie, Ritchie scored 29 goals. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Juniors, though he didn't make much of an impact in the tournament. Ritchie's game has grown on me since the Ducks made him the 10th overall pick in the 2014 draft. He's extremely physically mature (6-3, 225) and he plays the kind of power game that should translate well to the NHL. I don't think he's far away from making his debut in Anaheim.

34. Oliver Bjorkstrand (F, Columbus Blue Jackets): Bjorkstrand's professional debut this season will be fascinating. He put up 113 goals and 227 points over the last two seasons with Portland (WHL). Those numbers are not a misprint. There's no chance in a million years Bjorkstrand will produce at that level in his first AHL season, but I'm extremely curious to see how productive he will be playing against men. Bjorkstrand is a sniper, as you can see by his numbers. He has enough offensive ability that he has the potential to be a first-line winger in the NHL. Pretty good for a former third-round pick.

35. Mike Reilly (D, Minnesota Wild): Columbus fans will love Bjorkstrand, but they aren't too happy with Reilly these days. Reilly, who was a third-round pick by the Jackets in 2011, put in his time at the University of Minnesota and then used the ridiculous contract clause that allows collegiate players to become unrestricted free agents if they don't sign with the team that drafted them. It's the same thing that Kevin Hayes did to Chicago before he signed last summer with the Rangers. As for Reilly's game, he's a pure power-play quarterback and offensive defenseman. He makes great passes and gets his shot through to the net. Reilly had 75 points over the last two seasons at Minnesota, which is quite a number when you take into account that virtually no one puts up big numbers at the NCAA level. It's entirely possible that the Wild gave Reilly some sort of guarantee in regard to making the team when he agreed to sign, but he'd probably be better served to spend some time in the AHL working on his defensive game.

36. Jake Virtanen (F, Vancouver Canucks): One season after putting up 45 goals in 71 games for Calgary (WHL), Virtanen's numbers took a big step back last year. His season got a late start due to offseason shoulder surgery, and he finished with just 21 goals in 50 games. Virtanen's ability to stay healthy is a greater concern than his ability to produce offensively. He was easily the best sniper available in last year's draft. Those skills don't evaporate because of one injury plagued season. Expect Virtanen to get a long look in training camp, but with all the time he missed last season, he might be sent back to Calgary for another year. Just to regain his confidence, if nothing else.

37. Mikko Rantanen (F, Colorado Avalanche): Outside of Conor McDavid and Jack Eichel, no player drafted last summer is more NHL-ready than Rantanen. A big, strong, physically mature forward, Rantanen will get a long look from the Avs in training camp this year. He could learn how to use his size to his advantage a bit better, but Rantanen is a very smart player and puts himself in the right position to score goals. He has played against men in Finland the last two seasons, so he shouldn't be surprised by the strength of opposing players in his first year in North America. If Colorado doesn't plan on giving him significant minutes, it is better off sending him to the minors.

38. Alex Tuch (F, Minnesota Wild): After a terrific freshman season at Boston College that saw him put up 14 goals and 28 points in 37 games, expectations will be even higher this year for Tuch. Tuch is massive (6-4, 200), skates well and has terrific hands in front of the net. The Wild tried to sign him this summer, but he decided to return to school. Tuch is an offensive player who has the ability to dominate a game along the boards. I wasn't sold on him after Minnesota made him the 18th overall pick in the 2014 draft, but I loved what I saw in his first season at Boston College. Tuch's game doesn't have many flaws; he just needs to work on his overall consistency. Some kids prefer to stay in school for an extended time, but there's no reason that Tuch shouldn't be ready for professional hockey after one more season for the Eagles.

39. Christian Dvorak (F, Arizona Coyotes): There is not a prospect in the world, or player for that matter, who raised his stock more in the last 12 months than Dvorak. An injury plagued draft year led to Dvorak playing just 33 games for London (OHL) and producing just six goals and 14 points. Despite the limited action, Arizona saw enough to spend a second-round pick on him in the 2014 entry draft. One year later, Dvorak is coming off a gigantic season for London and is now a top-40 prospect. He raised his totals last season to 41 goals and 109 points in 66 games. To recap, Dvorak scored 35 more goals and 95 more points than he did the previous season. He isn't big, but Dvorak is a great skater with terrific hands and works his tail off on every shift. He has the potential to be a second-line scoring winger who can help on the penalty kill. He should spend one final season in London before turning pro.

40. Ryan Pulock (D, New York Islanders): Considering some of the injuries that the Islanders blue line suffered last season, it was a bit of a surprise that Pulock never made his NHL debut. In his first pro season in Bridgeport (AHL), Pulock put up 17 goals and 29 points in 54 games. Pulock's game is similar to fellow Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk -- he's a competitive player with a cannon of a shot that can be a huge asset on the power play, but his mobility is a bit limited. The Isles thought enough of Pulock's development last season that they traded Griffin Reinhart to Edmonton. As things stand, Pulock is probably the Islanders seventh defenseman, but expect him to spend the majority of this season in the NHL. His shot from the point is an asset that shouldn't be wasted in the minors.

41. Josh Ho-Sang (F, New York Islanders): Ho-Sang has made plenty of headlines off the ice, usually for the wrong reasons, but there's no denying that he's an extremely gifted offensive player. He's a terrific playmaker and an above-average skater. Numerous teams that stayed away from Ho-Sang in the 2014 entry draft due to the dreaded "character issues" label that he rightly earned during his time in the OHL, but he seems to have turned a corner. Expect the Islanders to give him a lot of playing time in the preseason before ultimately shipping him back to juniors for one more year. If everything goes according to plan, he will be a dominant player for Niagara and should have a chance to earn a spot on the NHL roster in 2016-17.

42. Nicolas Petan (F, Winnipeg Jets): The last three seasons with Portland (WHL), Petan registered 322 points in just 188 games. A small (5-9, 170) forward with elite skills, Petan is deadly on the power play and dominates in open space. There are still concerns that he will struggle against the bigger, stronger defensemen in professional hockey, but he has bulked up a little bit the last two seasons, which should continue in the coming years. Offensively, Petan is more than ready to contribute at the NHL level. Still, expect him to spend the vast majority of this season in the AHL adjusting to the professional game.

43. Brady Skjei (D, New York Rangers): Skjei will make his living as a slick skating defenseman who makes a great first outlet pass and plays a smart game. He signed with the Rangers after his junior season at the University of Minnesota concluded this spring and finished the season in Hartford (AHL). The Wolfpack made it all the way to the AHL's Eastern Conference final, and by the time it was over, Skjei was clearly their best defenseman. The Rangers have their top-six defensemen under contract for next season, and there's no way that they will carry Skjei and have him be a healthy scratch on a regular occasion. He should begin the season in Hartford, but it would be a surprise if he wasn't one of the first recalls should injuries strike the New York blueline.

44. Madison Bowey (D, Washington Capitals): Bowey put up 60 points for a second straight season in Kelowna (WHL) and served on Team Canada's top defensive pair at the World Juniors. Technically, Bowey is a defenseman, but he's more of a rover. The Caps upgraded their forward core this summer, but they did little with their blueline. I would by no means be shocked to see Bowey make the Caps roster out of training camp. Hopefully, they use him correctly. He needs consistent minutes and he needs to be getting a ton of power play time. He has the ability to turn into a legitimate fantasy option this coming season.

45. Pavel Zacha (F, New Jersey Devils): Zacha is a high-risk prospect, the type of player I thought the Devils, who have one of the poorer prospects pools in the league, shouldn't have taken. Unfortunately, the Devils didn't ask my opinion and they spent the sixth overall pick this past June on Zacha. He has all the skills to be a dominant offensive player -- size, hands and a great shot. But he's inconsistent and has had injury and maturity issues. Centers are considerably more valuable than wingers in today's NHL, but I would feel much better about Zacha if the Devils switched him to the wing. It would give him less defensive responsibility and he would be able to use his size to his advantage on the wall.

46. Brendan Perlini (F, Arizona Coyotes): Among the elite Arizona offensive prospects (Max Domi, Dylan Strome, Anthony Duclair), Perlini certainly gets talked about the least. Perlini put up 26 goals in 43 games for Niagara (OHL) after putting up 34 goals in 58 games the previous year. Perlini is big (6-3, 205), but he's more of a sniper than a pure power forward. He's a smart player and should benefit from one more season in juniors. He's a prime contender for the Canadian World Junior team this December.

47. Kerby Rychel (F, Columbus Blue Jackets): There was a rumor that Rychel was on the trade block this summer as the Jackets continued their quest for defensive help, but no deal came to fruition, and Rychel will begin this season in the Columbus organization. Rychel's first pro season was productive. He put up 33 points in 51 AHL games and registered three assists in seven games with Columbus. Rychel was a huge scorer in his junior days, but he's going to be more of a two-way guy who can help in multiple areas as a pro. He doesn't have much left to prove in the AHL, but there doesn't appear to be room for Rychel on the Jackets' roster to begin the season. His best hope for immediate playing time in the NHL may have been a trade this summer.

48. Jon Gillies (G, Calgary Flames): Gillies decided to return to Providence College for his junior year last season, and he responded by leading the Friars to a NCAA championship and was named Tournament MVP. Gillies finished the season with a 2.01 GAA and a .930 save percentage. He also has international experience, playing in two World Juniors tournaments for Team USA. At 6-5, 216, Gillies takes up a ton of the net and relies on his terrific positioning to stop pucks. He will begin next season as the No. 1 goalie for Calgary's AHL affiliate, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was already a better option than Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller, the two guys the Flames figure to trot out there this season.

49. Samuel Morin (D, Philadelphia Flyers): The Flyers were all set to carry Morin on their NHL roster to begin last season, but they changed their mind at the last minute and sent him back to the QMJHL. Morin's offensive game improved (32 points in 38 games), but he dealt with injuries and inconsistency all season. He suited up for Team Canada at the World Juniors, but he was clearly their weakest defender and he ended up getting less and less ice time as the tournament went on. Morin is listed at 6-7, and for a rare instance, that may be accurate. He moves well for a kid his size, but he has to learn how to play against men. Considering how close they were to carrying him on their NHL roster last season, the Flyers might not stash him in the AHL for an entire season, but that's how I would handle Morin this year.

50. Griffin Reinhart (D, Edmonton Oilers): I had Reinhart ranked as a top-10 prospect not all that long ago, but times have changed. The Islanders thought that they had enough defensive depth in their system that they traded Reinhart, the fourth overall pick in the 2012 entry draft to Edmonton this summer. Reinhart struggled last season, his first in pro hockey. He spent the majority of the season in the AHL, but he did play in nine game for the Isles, including one in the playoffs. The biggest concern surrounding Reinhart is the fact that he struggled in areas (defensive zone coverage, decision making) that he was supposed to excel. He was never projected to be a big offensive threat, so he can't struggle in other aspects of his game. He's still projected to be a long time NHL regular, but his ceiling appears to be considerably lower than it was a year ago at this time.