The Habs have a new number one as PK Subban moves up to the NHL after putting up a great rookie season with Hamilton and some impressive play in the NHL playoffs. The first round pick from 2009, Louis Leblanc had a very strong Freshman year at Havard as he moves into the top spot.

The Habs got a look at several of their AHL prospects this year as injuries hit hard at times. PK Subban, Tom Pyatt, Ben Maxwell, Ryan White, Mathieu Carle, Yannick Weber, Shawn Belle, David Desharnais, and JT Wyman all saw time in the NHL this year. Subban and Pyatt both were able to standout with their solid play and look to be full time NHLers going forward.

Overseas the Hab got good news from Sweden as free agent signee Andreas Engqvist had a strong year that saw him play in the SEL championships and in the WC's. Alexei Emelin had a monster playoff run capped off with his second KHL championship and a return to the WC team as well. In the NCAA Danny Kristo and Louis Leblanc had impressive Freshman seasons.

For this list, PK Subban and Tom Pyatt had graduated, Steve Quailer is not ranked due to missing the entire year, and players on AHL contracts are not included.

Top 20

1. Louis Leblanc
2. Danny Kristo
3. Mac Bennett
4. Alexander Avtsin
5. Max Pacioretty
6. Ryan White
7. David Desharnais
8. Alexei Emelin
9. Aaron Palushaj
10. Mathieu Carle
11. Cédrick Desjardins
12. Yannick Weber
13. Ben Maxwell
14. Andreas Engqvist
15. Joonas Nättinen
16. Gabriel Dumont
17. Brock Trotter
18. Joe Stejskal
19. Andrew Conboy
20. Dustin Walsh

HM Ryan Russell, Shawn Belle, Greg Pateryn

1. Louis Leblanc (C, 18th overall, '09)

The Freshman had a strong season putting up solid numbers on a low scoring that struggled in the ECAC throughout the year. While being overlooked for Team Canada, he stands a good chance of being on the team next year and playing a key role. It's unknown at this time if he will leave Havard after just one season and head to the AHL or the QMJHL, either way it shouldn't be too long before he puts on the Habs sweater.

2. Danny Kristo (RW, 56th overall, '08) Danny Kristo had a great year at North Dakota, playing a major role in the offensive zone, while also helping Team USA win gold at the WJC's with an impressive performance. The speedy winger can now add playing point on the power play to his resume, as he has learned to round out his game.

3. Mac Bennett (LD, 79th overall, '09) Bennett had a solid rookie year in the USHL and for his efforts he was named to the USHL All Rookie Team. He was on the top pairing and top PP unit for his team, and his coach would have him out on the ice against the opposing top line every night. He led his team in ice time and was 8th in the league among defensemen with a +17. His slap shot was clocked at 88 mph, but as he fills out his frame and gets stronger he may improve upon that.

4. Alexander Avtsin (RW, 109th overall, '09) A wrist injury caused Avtsin to miss the end of the season in what was turning out to be a successful one as he was turning heads with his play in the KHL as an 18 year old. With his club Dynamo folding (former team of Andrei Markov) it has been speculated that he will come to North America this summer, either to play in the AHL or the QMJHL with the Montreal Juniors.

5 Max Pacioretty (LW, 22nd, '07) It was a tough year for the former 1st round pick, as he struggled at the NHL level despite setting career highs in games played, assists and points he has yet to show he can contribute offensively. Injury problems also hampered him this year, hopefully he can bounc back next season.

6. Ryan White (W/C, 66th overall, '06) White turned some heads in the NHL this year with his physical and gritty play, something the team has been lacking. White was likely the most improved player in Hamilton this year, playing a key role for the Dogs and looks to see more time in the NHL next season.

7. David Desharnais (C, Free Agent Signed, '08) Desharnais continues to impress as he dominates at every level he plays at. Desharnais broke the record for points by a Hamilton player and carried that over to the playoffs, in 79 games this year (reg+play) he had a whopping 101 points. The skilled center has great vision on the ice and can really hurt teams in the offensive zone. The lack of height is a concern but every year he continues to improve and can't be counted out.

8. Alexei Emelin (RD, 84th overall, '04) It was a bounce back year for Emelin who has struggled during his stay with AK Bars, but he caught fire at the right time, picking up 13 points in the playoffs, after getting only 14 points in his 3 years with the panthers. For his effort he was invited back to the World Championship team where he playd solid defensive hockey with a physical edge to his game as usual. It's been said that the Habs are working on a contract to bring him over this summer.

9. Aaron Palushaj (RW, 44th overall in '07, Acquired in Matt D'Agostini trade) Palushaj had a good showing in the AHL playoffs and was rewarded for his hard work by getting moved up to the top line with Desharnais and Trotter. The skilled winger likes to set up plays but also will take the body and brings energy to his line.

10. Mathieu Carle (RD, 53rd overall, '06) Carle had injury problems again this year, for the 3rd season in a row, but did manage to impress in his short NHL call up. The pucking moving defensemen was able to return on the final game of the playoffs after missing almost four months with a shoulder injury.

11. Cédrick Desjardins (G, Free Agent Signed, '08) Desjardins continues to move up the rankings, what a year it was for him despite some struggles in the playoffs. After a solid rookie year last season, he followed it up with an AHL All Star apperance as he was one of the top rated goalies in the league all year long. One would expect to see him in the NHL next season if injuries hit as he looks to show what he can do at the next level.

12. Yannick Weber (RD, 73rd overall, '07) Things did not go as hoped when Weber was recalled to the NHL this year, after some good showings last year, and a late season injury forced him to miss all but 3 games in the playoffs. Look for Weber to rebound next year as he could be the main guy in Hamilton since Subban should be in the NHL and Carle has to clear waivers.

13. Ben Maxwell (C, 49th overall, '06) Maxwell had a solid season in Hamilton after having some struggles to produce at the same clip as his impressive rookie season, and in his NHL callups he did little to distinguish himself from other Bulldogs. A late season callup kept him on the roster as he was not able to be sent down due to a rule on the number of callups when your AHL team is still playing. Maxwell will look to step it up next year as he will be looked upon to be a key player for Hamilton.

14. Andreas Engqvist (C/W, Free Agent Signed, '09) The Swedish center was passed over in the '06 and '07 drafts, but the Habs opted to give him a tryout this past summer and they are likely glad they did as he had a breakout season in the SEL and saw time at the WC's where he didn't look out of place.

15. Joonas Nättinen (C, 65th overall, '09) Nattinen had a solid year playing in the Finnish junior and mens 2nd league, even saw a decent amount of time in the FNL. Was solid in the face-off circle at the WJC's for Finland.

16. Gabriel Dumont (C/W, 139th overall, '09) Dumont had a outstanding year in the QMJHL where he had 51 goals, 93 pts and 127 pims. He was re-united with his former coach at Drummondville when he joined Hamilton at the end of the season during their playoff run. He was able to get a taste of what's to come next season.

17. Brock Trotter (LW/C, Free Agent Signed, '08) Trotter had another strong season with Hamilton, and formed a deadly duo with David Desharnais. He was not able to standout in his short NHL callup but a good camp next fall could go a long way for him as he will have to clear waivers to be sent down.

18. Joe Stejskal (RD, 133rd overall, '07) Stejskal saw his offensive numbers regress from his sophmore year, but he continued to play on the top pairing as well as top PP and PK units, as he continues to be his clubs top defensemen as well as one of the top D in the ECAC. The physical blueliner is learning to pick his spots better as his team needs him on the ice as much as possible in what was another tough year for the Big Green.

19. Andrew Conboy (LW, 142nd '07) Conboy had a solid first full season in Hamilton as he was able to secure a spot on the 4th line and brought a good physical element to the club as he seems to enjoy throwing his big frame around whenever he can. Working with Coach Boucher has helped him round out his game which could help him reach the NHL at some point.

20. Dustin Walsh (C, 169th overall, '09) Walsh is a lanky center with good hands, he's enjoying a solid freshman year although some injury problems in the 2nd half forced him to miss some quaility time in what is already a shorten schedule due to the Ivy league teams playing the least amount of games in the NCAA.