2016 NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch List

Typically there are a couple of uncommitted A or B rated prospect on this list when it's released each year. Surprisingly, there are no such gems waiting to be plucked this go around. All of the below players are eligible, uncommitted, and were rated as "C" prospects.

C - TY - WESTGARD - SURREY - BCHL
C - GUSTAF - WESTLUND - THE GUNNERY - HIGH-CT
C - JOSH - DICKINSON - GEORGETOWN - OJHL
C - LUKE - KEENAN - WHITBY - OJHL
LW - RILEY - SMITH - OLDS - AJHL
LW - COLIN - GRANNARY - MERRITT - BCHL
LW - BRENDAN - WALKOM - SELECTS U18 - SOUTH KENT SCHOOL - HIGH-CT
LW - ASHTON - ALTMANN - DULUTH EAST - HIGH-MN
LW - ROBERTS - BLUEGER - SHATTUCK - ST.MARY'S PREP - HIGH-MN
LW - JACK - JEFFERS - BURLINGTON - OJHL
LW - CHRISTOPHER (CJ) - DODERO - SIOUX CITY - USHL
RW - TY - AMONTE - THAYER ACADEMY - HIGH-MA
RW - BRADY - TATRO - BEMIDJI - HIGH-MN
D - REECE - SOUKOROFF - OKOTOKS - AJHL
D - MATT - DILLON - CUSHING ACADEMY - HIGH-MA
D - JACK - MCCOOL - ST. SEBASTIANS SCHOOL - HIGH-MA
D - SHAY - DONOVAN - DULUTH EAST - HIGH-MN
D - ALEX - SPENCER - DULUTH EAST - HIGH-MN
D - TYLER - JETTE - FARMINGTON - HIGH-MN
D - JASON - SMALLIDGE - ST. THOMAS - HIGH-MN
D - WYATT - NEWPOWER - WHITE BEAR LAKE - HIGH-MN
D - PETER - CHRISTIE - EXETER - HIGH-NH
D - DEAN - STEWART - PORTAGE - MJHL
D - ZAKERY - GALAMBOS - JOHNSTOWN - NAHL
D - CROIX - EVINGSON - KENAI RIVER - NAHL
D - SAM - DUNN - COBOURG - OJHL
D - CAMERON - LEE - GREEN BAY - USHL
D - LIAM - SCHIOLER - LINCOLN - USHL
D - BO - HANSON - MUSKEGON - USHL
D  - JAMES - GREENWAY - USA U-18 - USHL
G - MATT - LADD - AVON OLD FARMS - HIGH-CT
G - JACK - LAFONTAINE - JANESVILLE - NAHL
G - TOMMY - NAPPIER - SPRINGFIELD - NAHL
G - TYLER - JOHNSON - TOPEKA - NAHL

Stat Links Updated

Other than the late-starting USHL, all of the stat links to the right have been updated for the 2015-2016 season. Check them throughout the year to see how your favorite team's recruits and prospects are performing!

2016 NHL Central Scouting Futures List

The list only includes 100 top players, so it's not surprising that only a small few are uncommitted and NCAA eligible. There are some European players listed that are eligible (and one that is actually committed), but as per usual, we'll continue to leave them out of the conversation due to their low likelihood of playing NCAA hockey. Below are the five eligible players uncommitted as of this posting.

Dante Fabbro - D - Penticton-BCHL
Tyson Jost - F - Penticton-BCHL
Matthew Cairns - D - Toronto-OJHL
Chad Krys - D - USNTDP-USHL
Auston Matthews - F - USNTDP-USHL

The last name on the list is the most intriguing. Matthews is widely regarded as the most likely player to be drafted #1 overall. He has accelerated his studies and has graduated from high school, making him eligible for NCAA this coming season. He's likely going to pass on the opportunity. There is also a strong likelihood that he'll pass on the opportunity to play in the WHL, instead opting for a professional contract in some European league. That decision and subsequent announcement is expected in the very near future.

2015 NHL Central Scouting Final Draft Rankings

It's not unusual to have a handful of CSB rated players uncommitted and eligible for college hockey, as there are again this season. Below are the young men on the list who could still choose to play college hockey.

16 G HUSKA, ADAM GREEN BAY USHL
115 D JONES, CALEB USA U-18 USHL
123 C PEARSON, CHASE YOUNGSTOWN USHL
151 RW FRONK, JIRI CEDAR RAPIDS USHL
158 D JAYCOX, LUKAS WARROAD HIGH-MN
182 D FLANAGAN, MCKAY THE GUNNERY HIGH-CT
190 D REILLY, WILLIAM NORTH YORK OJHL
200 LW BERG, ADAM CALGARY MUSTANGS AJHL
209 D DESHARNAIS, VINCENT CHILLIWACK BCHL

Of this list, at least Fronk and Jones are not expected to play college hockey. But, as of now, both remain eligible.

The spring NCAA signing period begins tomorrow, so don't be surprised to see a few of these names drop from the list in the immediate future.