Fans in North America typically don't get many eyes on prospects playing overseas outside of events like the World Juniors, so to give you a feel for the best prospects not in the Western Hemisphere, we checked in with front-office talent evaluators and scouts to help rank the top 10 drafted prospects not currently playing in North America.
The notes used to form this list are based on my own observations of these players combined with the many conversations I've had with scouts and front-office executives in the industry, although the rankings are purely my own.
1. Mikael Granlund, C, Minnesota Wild (HIFK-SM-Liiga)
To see how the drafted European prospects stack up, you must be an ESPN Insider
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Grant Sonier
Grant Sonier has scouted for six NHL organizations over the past 13 years, most recently for the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2010-11 season. He is a special contributor to ESPN Insider.
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Victoria Matiash
Victoria Matiash has served as a Fantasy Hockey columnist for ESPN.com since 2007, and contributor to NHL Rumor Central since 2010. She lives in Toronto.
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