The Big Board

The Big Board is my look at the top prospects for the 2010 NHL draft. It is NOT a mock draft, as I am ranking players based on talent, not on team needs.

The rankings are broken into skaters and goaltenders, and I am only ranking North Americans, as I know basically nothing about European hockey.

A final ranking will be put out sometime before the NHL draft, which takes place in June.

Players will be listed with their team, league, home country and, if applicable, NCAA commitment.

TSN rank refers to the player’s rank in TSN’s midseason top 30 (both Europe and NA), and CSS rank refers to the rank in Central Scouting’s final ranking

Skaters

1. Tyler Seguin, C, Plymouth (OHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 2,  CSS rank: 1

2. Cam Fowler,D, Windsor (OHL) – United States

TSN rank: 3, CSS rank: 5

3. Taylor Hall, LW, Windsor (OHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 1, CSS rank: 2

4. Brett Connolly, RW, Prince George (WHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 4, CSS rank: 3

5. Erik Gudbranson, D, Kingston (OHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 5, CSS rank: 4

6. Nino Niederreiter, LW, Portland (WHL) – Switzerland

TSN rank: 8, CSS rank: 12

7. Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton (QMJHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 6, CSS rank: 6

8. Derek Forbort, D, USNTDP – United States (North Dakota commit)

TSN rank: 18, CSS rank: 9

9. Ryan Johansen, C, Portland (WHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 19, CSS rank: 10

10. Mark Pysyk, D, Edmonton (WHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 12, CSS rank: 7

11. Nick Bjugstad, C, Blaine (MN) HS – United States (Minnesota commit)

TSN rank: 14, CSS rank: 13

12. Emerson Etem, C, Medicine Hat (WHL) – United States

TSN rank: 15, CSS rank: 8

13. Alexander Burmistrov, C, Barrie (OHL) – Russia

TSN rank: 7, CSS rank: 11

14. Tyler Toffoli, RW, Ottawa (OHL) – Canada

TSN rank: 26, CSS rank: 16

15. Tyler Pitlick, W, Minnesota State (WCHA) – United States

TSN rank: 20, CSS rank: 18

Goalies

1. Jack Campbell, USNTDP – United States

CSS rank: 2

2. Calvin Pickard, Seattle (WHL) – Canada

CSS rank: 1

3. Kent Simpson, Everett (WHL) – Canada

CSS rank: 3

4. Louis Domingue, Quebec (QMJHL) – Canada

CSS rank: 5

5. Mark Visentin, Niagara (OHL) – Canada

CSS rank: 4

6. Mathieu Corbeil-Theriault, Halifax (QMJHL) – Canada

CSS rank: 7

7. Sam Brittain, Canmore (AJHL) – Canada (University of Denver commit)

CSS rank: 8

8. Zane Gothberg, Thief River Falls (MN) HS – United States (North Dakota commit)

CSS rank: 6

9. Tyler Bunz, Medicine Hat (WHL) – Canada

CSS rank: 10

10. Cameron Lanigan, Edmonton (WHL) – Canada

CSS rank: 9