Inside the CCHL: Millers top 10 prospects...

The Millers do not have a deep system and are very top heavy when it comes to prospects, although many profile as future NHLers, but not a lot of them as stars. These are the 10 best prospects at season's end, where they played in the 18-19 season, and an ETA of when they are expected to debut in Georgetown.

1. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Center
Acquired: #8 overall pick in 2018 CCHL draft
18-19: NHL
ETA: 19-20
Kotkaniemi was a late riser on draft boards, initially expected to go in the  middle-teens due to questions about whether he could be a scoring line C in the NHL. Surprisingly breaking camp with Montreal, Kotkaniemi played consistently on the bottom 6 for the Habs and saw 2nd unit PP time as an 18 year-old. The Millers hope to use him in a similar fashion next fall, with an eye towards him claiming a top 6 role within 2 years.

2. Ty Smith, Defense
Acquired: #15 overall pick in 2018 CCHL draft
18-19: WHL
ETA: 20-21
Smith very nearly broke camp with New Jersey before being returned to the WHL, where he put up 69 points in 57 games and added 3 assists in 5 WJC contests. Projected as middle pairing defender and PP quarterback, Smith should break into the NHL in 19-20, and into the Millers lineup the following year.

3. Ilya Samsonov, Goaltender
Acquired: 2016 Trade with Hamilton
18-19: AHL
ETA: 20-21
Samsonov was for years considered the best G prospect in the world. A rough start in the AHL took some of the shine off but he played well in the 2nd half. Expect at least another half- season in the AHL before apprenticing as a backup or 3rd G as needed and assuming a more full-time role in around 3 years.

4. Jordan Bennington, Goaltender
Acquired: 62nd overall pick in 2011 CCHL draft
18-19: NHL
ETA: 19-20
In some minds Binnington may be keeping the crease warm for Samsonov but if he can play a full-time role as well as he played in 32 NHL games this past season Samsonov's ascension may not be guaranteed. Eight years after being drafted Binnington will be the Miller's top G in 2019-20.

5. Dylan Samberg, Defense
Acquired: 54th overall pick in 2016 CCHL draft
18-19: NCAA
ETA: 21-22
A WJC veteran and NCAA champion, Samberg is not flashy but he is solid. Millers brass see some similarities in Samberg and Brett Pesce and that's probably his ceiling, a shutdown defender with decent skill who can chip in enough points to be useful.

6. Janne Kuokkanen, Center
Acquired: 42nd overall pick in 2016 CCHL draft
18-19: AHL
ETA: 20-21
Smooth skater who's had a couple of NHL cups of coffee, Kuokkanen seems likely to be a middle 6 forward at maturity. He has a solid 2 way game but needs more strength and to process play a little faster to earn a full-time role.

7. Max Jones, Winger
Acquired: 2018 trade with Dayton
18-19: NHL/AHL
ETA: 20-21
Acquired from Dayton along with the guy below in exchange for Mike Hoffman, Jones is a power-forward in the making. He's probably more 3rd liner than top 6 winger but his size and decent hands should make him a PP asset and potential 20 to 25 goal scorer. The Millers are expected to keep him in the minors next season.

8. Warren Foegele, Winger
Acquired: 2018 trade with Dayton
18-19: NHL
ETA: 19-20
The other piece of the Hoffman return, Foegele's game is speed, which he uses to forecheck relentlessly. At 6'2 Foegele also has good size and profiles as a 3rd line winger and penalty-killer, who could pop 15 to 20 goals in his best seasons. He'll see 4th line minutes in GEO next season.

9. Oskari Laaksonen, Defense
Acquired: 2018 trade with Capeside
18-19: Liiga (Finland)
ETA: 22-23
Playing in Finland's top senior league as a 19 year-old, Laaksonen led Ilves Dmen in scoring despite missing time for the WJC. He won't come to North America until the 20-21 season so he is several years away, but if he continues to develop should be a top 4 Dman and PP asset.

10. Ville Husso, Goaltender
Acquired: 2019 trade with Dayton
18-19: AHL
ETA: 20-21
Husso had surpassed Binnington as the Blues goalie of the future a couple of years ago and was widely expected to get a shot at NHL playing time this past season, but a combination of injuries and terrible play saw him watch Binnington become the savior of the Blues' season. To be fair San Antonio was terrible all around but it didn't stop Binnington from putting up the numbers that led to his fateful recall. Husso still has a high ceiling and had very good AHL success the preceding 2 years, so a change of scenery might be the best move for his career.

Others of note:
Dennis Gilbert is a stay at home Dman who saw 1 NHL game in his 1st pro season. Bottom-pair and PK is his ceiling.
Anthony Richard also had a brief NHL look-see. He's a bottom 6/up and down guy most likely.
Jake Wise was the 37th overall CCHL pick in 2018 and endured an injury-riddled season on a Boston U. team that collapsed. Next season will be crucial.
Antoine Morand scores and wins in the QMJHL but doesn't excite scouts that much.
David Farrance had a decent season despite BU's struggles, and can skate like the wind.
Toni Utunen captained Finland's WJC squad and has the look of a solid if unspectacular bottom-pairing Dman.
Vladislav Yeryomenko has spent 3 seasons in the WHL but his offense has been stagnant. More puck-mover than scorer.
Jonathan Ang did okay in his AHL debut. Speed is a weapon on the PK but he is not a scorer.
Cole Fonstad can score in the WHL but it's uncertain if he's NHL material.
Filip Kral had a very good 2nd season in the WHL and could be a sleeper.