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Top 10 NHL-drafted prospects headed to Memorial Cup

Kelly Friesen

Unlike last year’s MasterCard Memorial Cup, where top draft eligible prospects Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Seth Jones stole the show, a plethora of high-end NHL-drafted prospects headline this year’s tournament.

Ultimately, the talent headed to London, Ont., is arguably the strongest it has been since the 2005 Memorial Cup, which included Sidney Crosby, Corey Perry and Shea Weber. The 2014 crop is highlighted by 10 first round picks and six second rounds picks. That’s not even mentioning Winnipeg Jets prospect and Guelph Storm star Scott Kosmachuk, who scored 101 points this year.

Here is a look at the top 10 NHL-drafted prospects that will suit up in the 2014 Memorial Cup. This list is not based on who will have the greatest impact in the tourney, rather a ranking focused on NHL potential.

1. Curtis Lazar, centre, Edmonton Oil Kings (Ottawa Senators) – Every coach wants a player like Lazar down the middle. The smiling 19-year-old from Vernon, B.C., is a born leader who scores highlight-reel goals, throws heavy hits and shuts down opponents’ top scorers. His complete game means he can be the best player on the ice in all situations.

The 6-foot, 196-pound Lazar, whom the Senators chose 17th overall in 2013, has taken significant steps forward in his three seasons of major junior puck. Following notching 31 and 61 points respectively in his first two seasons, he exploded into one of the CHL’s top forwards this year. He potted 41 goals and 76 points in 58 games while playing a solid 200-foot game. His breakout season has made a strong case that he could jet to the NHL next year instead of returning to Edmonton for a fourth season.

2. Griffin Reinhart, defence, Edmonton Oil Kings (New York Islanders) – The West Vancouver native is a prototypical shutdown defenceman. He has the size at 6-foot-4, 202-pounds, top-notch defensive awareness and plays with an edge. He shone in this shutdown role in the playoffs, keeping highly regarded stars to the outside and for the most part off the score sheet.

Reinhart, though, isn’t a one-trick pony as he possesses notable offensive talent. The 20-year-old veteran, who was selected fourth overall by the Islanders in 2012, has a booming slap shot and almost notched a point every second game this year with four goals and 21 points in 45 matches.

3. Anthony Mantha, wing, Val-d’Or Foreurs (Detroit Red Wings) – At the moment, Mantha seems to be the biggest first-round steal of the 2013 draft. The 6-foot-5, 204-pound 19-year-old lit the QMJHL on fire this year by scoring at a goal-per-game pace with 57 markers in 57 contests while adding 63 apples and 75 penalty minutes. And to think the Red Wings traded down to select the pure goal scorer with the 20th selection.

What truly makes Mantha one of the best NHL-drafted prospects in the world is that he has chewed up and spit out his last couple of challenges. The proof is in the pudding in how he netted five goals and 11 points in seven games at the world junior championship and blew the roof off the QMJHL post-season with 24 genos and 38 points in 24 matches.

4. Bo Horvat, centre, London Knights (Vancouver Canucks) – Horvat, much like Lazar, is a quality two-way forward. The Rodney, Ont., native, who potted 30 goals and 74 points in 54 games, is a wizard in the faceoff circle, responsible in all three zones and finishes his checks. He is also known for his character and enticing leadership abilities.

Even though GM Mike Gillis has since been axed, there is ultimately quite a bit of pressure on Horvat’s shoulders. The Canucks are counting on him to develop into a future cornerstone player largely because of the price they paid, goalie Corey Schnieder, to draft him with the ninth overall pick in 2013. Fortunately for Vancouver, all signs point to the 6-foot, 203-poundeer developing into a quality two-way centre comparable to Los Angeles Kings star Mike Richards.

5. Max Domi, wing, London Knights (Phoenix Coyotes) – The compact 5-foot-9,

185-pound winger is one the shiftiest, quick wingers in the CHL. He uses his speed and fearless attitude to beat defenders in races and drive hard to the net. The Toronto native’s 34 goals and 93 points in 61 contests clearly show he has the finish to go along with his elite talent. The one knock on Domi, whom the Coyotes selected 12th overall in 2013, is that he at times takes undisciplined penalties by letting his emotions get the best of him.

6. Nikita Zadorov, defence, London Knights (Buffalo Sabres) – The towering 6-foot-5, 220-pound Zadorov has anchored the Knights’ blueline since returning from a short stint with the Sabres at the start of the year. The Russia native, who notched 11 goals and 30 points in 36 games, uses his long reach to knock pucks off opponents’ sticks and his big frame to clear the front of the net. Offensively, meanwhile, he possesses a hard slap shot and enjoys jumping in on the rush.

7. Kerby Rychel, wing, Guelph Storm (Columbus Blue Jackets) – Rychel took Guelph by storm since joining them at the trade deadline. The 6-foot-1, 202-pounder finished out the regular-season with 18 goals and 51 points in 31 contests. He picked up in the second season right where he left off by netting 11 goals and 32 points in 20 games.

The 19-year-old forward, whom the Jackets picked 19th overall in 2013, brings a lot more to the table than just an enticing stats sheet, though. He excels in a physical style of play with an aggressive two-way game and a great touch around the net.

8. Tristan Jarry, goalie, Edmonton Oil Kings (Pittsburgh Penguins) – The Penguins’ decision to select Jarry with the 44th pick in the 2013 NHL draft was somewhat risky as he only suited up in 27 games in the backup position behind Laurent Brossoit last season. Roughly a year later, though, it seems the Delta, B.C., native may be one of the second-round steals of last year’s draft. He solidified himself as one of the CHL’s top netminders in his first playoff run this year, posting a 2.19 average, .925 save percentage and three shutouts in 21 contests.

9. Henrik Samuelsson, centre, Edmonton Oil Kings (Phoenix Coyotes) – The Scottsdale, AZ., native led the Oil Kings on the score sheet this year with 35 goals and 95 points in 65 matches while spending 95 minutes in the sin bin. Samuelsson has thrived on the ice by using his 6-foot-3, 208-pound frame to his advantage in front of the net and along the wall. In addition, he makes players around him better. Just ask Edgars Kulda and Brett Pollock - who broke out this year largerly because of Samuelsson's presense on the second line - for proof of that.

10. Matt Finn, defence, Guelph Storm (Toronto Maple Leafs) – The 6-foot-1, 204-pound Finn led the Storm to their OHL championship from the back end. The 19-year-old not only plays a sound defensive game, but he also is a heavy contributor in the offensive zone, as he finished second among OHL blueliners in points with 14 goals and 47 assists in 66 contests. Not to mention, he recently took home the Mickey Renaud Captain’s trophy, which is rewarded to the best team captain that exemplifies leadership on and off the ice.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen