Welcome to Dobber Prospects!

As a prospect junkie and avid fan of development hockey leagues around the world, a website devoted to tracking the world’s most relevant fantasy hockey prospects was exactly the drug needed to meet our addiction.  A special thanks goes out to Dobber, Angus and the DobberProspects’ team that has spent hundred of hours creating profiles for this launch.

The team is continuously working hard input all of the relevant prospects into the DobberProspects system so bear with us if there are a few players missing.  It is expected that most of these prospect profiles will be available shortly.

The DobberProspects’ Ramblings section will operate much like those over at DobberHockey as I spew my thoughts on prospects I am currently following. The DP Scouting team spans the globe and any information they present to me for the ramblings will be shared with our readers as well.

The ramblings will be posted a few times per week (hopefully).  Be sure to check back often.

Please feel free to follow me on twitter, @RossyYoungblood, for continuous prospect information if you care to do so.

Let’s get into some prospect news…

Mika Zibanejad was assigned to the Binghamton Senators of the AHL to play in their final two regular season games (non-playoff team) but after colliding with a teammate in practice, Zibanejad was shutdown for the season with concussion-like symptoms.  Zibanejad, the Senators’ sixth overall pick (2011), had five goals and 13 points in 26 games in his second season for Djurgardens (SEL).

Sticking with the Sens, Jakob Silfverberg is apparently on his way to Ottawa after winning the Swedish championship with Brynäs IF.  Silfverberg, 21, finished the regular season with 54 points in 40 games on his way to earning league MVP honors.  His NHL debut could occur as early as Game 6 as Daniel Alfredsson continues to nurse the concussion he suffered in game 2. 

The 2012 draft class has been hit hard by the injury curse this season and that’s likely a huge understatement.  First round talent Zemgus Girgensons, a Latvian two-way forward playing for Dubuque of the USHL, will miss the remainder of playoffs after breaking his jaw. Girgensons joins a long list of his peers that have missed significant time with an injury – Yakupov, Grigorenko, Murray, Galchenyuk, Rielly, Faksa, Maatta, Frk, Koekkoek, Subban, Marcantouni….the list goes on forever.

Moose Jaw defenseman Morgan Rielly, top 2012 draft-eligible prospect, returns to the lineup after missing all but 18 regilar season games this season.  Rielly is considered to be the top offensive defenseman available for this summer’s draft.  The former 2nd overall pick of the WHL Bantam Draft posted a point-per-game pace (18 points) before getting knocked out with his ACL injury. Scouts are expected to flock to Moose Jaw to see him live in action as his team faces off against Griffin Reinhart’s (2012 NHL Draft) Edmonton Oil Kings.

The Under-18 World Men’s Championship has been taking place in the Czech Republic over the past week producing some great hockey.

Canada faced off against the USA today but were defeated by the much stronger Americans 2-1.  Team USA meet Sweden in the Gold Medal game as the Swedes were able to knock off Finland in their semi-final game 7-3.  Team Canada and Finland will battle for the Bronze medal.  The U18 WMC is one of the last chances for scouts to observe top draft-eligible players in action.

Notable 2012 draft-eligible players competing in the medal rounds:

CANADA – Mathew Dumba (D; 9 points), Gemel Smith (F, 5 points), Scott Laughton (F, 5 points), Brendan Gaunce (F; 3 points), Matt Murray (G; Murray kept Canada in most of the games)

FINLAND – Teuvo Teravainen (F; 8 points), Ville Pokka (D, 5 points), Esa Lindell (D, 5 points)

USA – Jacob Trouba (D, 3 points), Brady Skjei (D, 1 point), Quentin Shore (F, 5 points), Nicolas Kerdiles (F, 4 points)

SWEDEN – Oscar Dansk (G), Filip Forsberg (F; 7 points), Sebastian Collberg (F, 9 points), Hampus Lindholm (D, 4 points), Ludwig Bystrom (D, 1 point)

Mathew Dumba displayed why he is considered such a “high risk” pick as he was either brilliant at times or extremely bad, making poor decisions. As of Friday, Dumba currently sits tied for the tournament scoring lead with 9 points as a defenseman.

Brendan Gaunce was a disappointment as he failed to lead this team. Scott Laughton caught the attention of scouts as he was an impact player both offensively and defensively.

Jacob Trouba showed why scouts consider him a very safe pick as he has a stablizing presence on the blue  line. Hard working forward Quentin Shore, the younger brother of Drew (Panthers) and Nick (Kings), was very impressive as he showed the value of his tenacity and hockey sense.

Finland’s Teuvo Teravainen used the U18WMH platform as another springboard to launch himself into the discussion as one of the draft’s top offensive forwards. Considered a fringe first-line talent to begin the year, Teuvo Teravainen has quickly jumped into top 10 consideration and has some scouts talking about him going in the top 5-7 picks.

Sweden’s Filip Forsberg has had one of his strongest international tournaments to date displaying his strong two-way play that has many believing he could be selected in the top 2. Sebastian Collberg continues to show well in internationally play as he sits tied for the tournament scoring lead with 9 points heading into the Gold Medal game.