2. Nathan Horton, Center, Columbus Blue Jackets - 1

    Horton dropped to #2 in the rankings, but being behind a teammate, who should help lead the Blue Jackets to a potential dynasty, isn't a bad thing. Horton looked to begin a rivalry with #3 ranked Ryan Getzlaf, but a recent trade brought the two together and this move could be the considered the best acquisition in EHL history. Keeping the story about Horton, he doesn't mind mixing it up, which may just make him that better of a player. He will stick up for his teammates while being one of the top stars in the leauge.

3. Ryan Getzlaf, Right Wing, Columbus Blue Jackets - 3

    Getzy was selected 22nd overall by the Blues last season, and the rookie has played extremely well after spending the beginning of the season in the minors. His trade to Columbus should create an incredible tandem, but remember that they need a LW (see #9) to make a full line. The Getzlaf-Horton battle should go down in history, and for GM Scovazzo the world couldn't be better.

    Getzlaf has an all around style that should develop him into a superstar. We really can't find anything wrong with him, sorry.

4. Ilya Kovalchuk, RW, Atlanta Thrashers - 9

    This Kovy shouldn't be confused with Alexei Kovalev. While Alexei is a great player, Ilya already is better, and they are years apart. Kovalchuk isn't a rookie, he has been in this league now for 4 seasons, each year improving every aspect of his game. In the beginning, he was playing for one of the worst teams in the league. GM Mark Hyde turned the club around, and now they are a legitimate Stanley Cup threat. Ilya is a huge part of this expansion franchise, and even with an average defensive ability, he an extremely respectable +12 at the moment of publication. Ilya is only 22 years old, which is why some of the other forwards are ahead of him, but this forward has a chance to be better than any of those "kids".

5. Marian Gaborik, RW, Minnesota Wild - NA

    Gaborik made the jump from 10th in the forward rankings to 5th overall. Such a jump for a 23 year was shocking to say the least. The Minnesota Wild star is in the top 20 in the league in all time scoring, and should be one of the greatest players in EHL history when everything is said and done.

    He will gradute from being a Futures Prospect after this season, which will hurt the Minnesota Wild's ranking, but I don't think they will mind. Gaborik is already a special leader on the team, and as he gets older, the experience will come. Once he adds some needed intensity to his game, he may be Jaromir Jargr's replacement for the best player in the league, that is until Nathan Horton gets a little older. 

6. Gregor Dementiev, Defensemen, Chicago Blackhawks - 4

    Gregor leads an impressive class of stellar defenders set to take over the EHL. What is most surprising about this kid is that he was passed up by nearly every team as he was selected 59th overall. The second rounder has shown through during his stay in the minors and has played rather well on the Blackhakws pro squad. He is adding stability to a team who is a serious threat to winning the Stanley Cup this season. Among his fellow defensemen, under the age of 23, he is rather average when it comes to his defensive abilities. This will get better as the seasons go by, and his great offensive prowess offsets anything and has him the top defensive prospect.

    Gregor has already won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks, which none of the top 10 prospects have, and this should continue.

7. Denis Ezhov, D, Boston Bruins - 7

    Denis may never lead defensemen in scoring, but who cares? His job is to help keep the shots on goal down, keep the puck out of the net and lay crushing hits to physically impose himself upon the other teams forwards.  GM Krantz feels so good about him, he is playing on the top line wand is hoping that playing time  rubs off on Ezhov - they won't be dissappointed.

8. Greg Bourgeois, C, Quebec Nordiques - 8

    Greg is slowly climbing the ladder in Quebec. Last season he played on the 4th line, this season it's the third. He will only continue to move up as he gets older. He no longer plays alongside Rick Nash, but this opportunity should give him and Lupul the chance to shine on their own. When it comes to pure skill, we here at the Futures department do not feel many compare. Bourgeois still needs to hit the weight room. He strength is holding him back from powering past the skilled defenders in the league. He isn't very fast either, but once he does get in the zone, he takes all of your energy to stop. 

9. Andrei Kastitsyn, Left Winger, Columbus Blue Jackets - 5

    Jackets GM Michael Scovazzo worked extremely hard to pick up 3 first round draft picks last season, and that work has paid off. The last of those picks was 14th overall Andrei Kastitsyn. He ranks on our list for his offensive potential. One of the best young, pure scorers in the league, he will be a Art Ross threat as the seasons go on and he continues to develop his game. Not extremely sound defensively, that part of his game will continue to improve, he is very disciplined and will help Columbus develop into a top Cup contender.

10. Kari Lehtonen, G, Hartford Whalers - 6

    Kari WAS your prototypical top draft pick. He WAS playing behind a really young and inexperienced team, but then new Whalers management made significant moves to bring them into the Western Conference playoff picture. Based purely on skill, Kari is better than Fleury, no doubt about it, but he is a few years older, and this hurts anyone. He will be one to watch as goaltenders can be unpredictable, and he could come out on top.