Projecting an NHL team fit for a prospect in his draft year is like determining whether a souffle will turn out without giving in to the temptation to open the oven. Doing it anyway is a lot of fun, though. It stretches our analytical muscles and makes us consider what an NHL team might need. As a rule, teams shouldn't necessarily draft for need early on in their selections; taking the best overall player available will garner the best results.

But at the same time, there's no denying that certain NHL prospect pools could do with one thing or another.

1. Philadelphia Flyers: Caleb Desnoyers — Center, Moncton Wildcats

Caleb Desnoyers is smart offensively and has a good physical game on top of that. It feels like he could annoy the stew out of opponents effectively enough to be a prototypical Flyer. Add to that his attention to detail, which would appeal to head coach John Tortorella (or any head coach, if Tortorella doesn't last…) and this pick feels like a pretty solid fit.

Something that I like about Desnoyers is his high hockey IQ. Still, while it feels like a no-brainer to say you want a guy with hockey smarts, just because a guy is smart doesn't necessarily mean he has the tools to use that intelligence (it would be interesting to look into whether this is why great coaches weren't necessarily top players). Desnoyers puts his IQ to work every shift. He's not a show-stopping dynamo when it comes to flash, but his awareness and fastidious approach to the details of his game more than makeup for that. He's also got a relentless work ethic. It should be fun to watch him with whatever team picks him, but a team that prefers to play with jam like the Flyers feels like the direction to go.

2. Nashville Predators: Matthew Schaefer — Defense, Erie Otters

No, Matthew Schaefer isn't currently playing, and might not play again this season—we don't currently know for sure. No, that doesn't matter when it comes to my fervent belief that he deserves to go somewhere in the top 3. (First overall is definitely in the mix but I truly think it will come down to which team wins the lottery.) Whatever team selects him is going to get a game-changing defensive prospect. While Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi hasn't shown any signs of slowing down yet—he's only 34, after all—it's never too soon to bring in an heir apparent.

Schaefer was first on our most recent Big Board for reasons far beyond "we've seen the scuttlebutt and NHL scouts really like this kid". The Erie Otters defenseman is a phenomenal skater, first all, and the direction today's game has taken is built for defensemen who can move. More importantly, he knows how to use that skating to bust up opponents' opportunities, protect the puck, and lead the rush. Watching him go end-to-end before the guys around him have processed what's going on is a special experience.

3. New York Rangers: Radim Mrtka — Defense, Seattle Thunderbirds

If you want a defenseman who isn't just tall but knows how to use his size effectively—and has serious puck skills—look no further than Radim Mrtka. Since his move from the Czech Extraliga to the WHL, he's been on a tear, and it has been extremely fun to watch. He's taken over the top defenseman spot for the Thunderbirds and has been playing big minutes night in and night out.

Since the Rangers are probably going to finish too low for a lottery pick, Mrtka could be a good solution to their dearth of decent defensive prospects (no, seriously, it's like, EJ Emery and Drew Fortescue). His size and ability to log significant minutes will definitely appeal to the Rangers, particularly since he pairs that with his play in transition. He's excellent on the breakout. Take a night to watch a Thunderbirds game and pay particular attention to the plays that Mrtka is able to create.

4. Dallas Stars: Blake Fiddler — Defense, Edmonton Oil Kings

Look, I tried not to do this one. In the end, it just made sense for several reasons. There's the poetic nature of Blake Fiddler being drafted by Dallas when he is a Dallas product (and, of course, his dad played for Dallas). But another big reason for me is that while Dallas has a decently deep forward corps, their defensive prospect pool is a little less shiny. Fiddler currently projects as a top-four guy in the NHL, and he's that allegedly mythical skilled right-shot defenseman every team is looking for. He would fit well with the group of young guys they're building up. There are legitimate good reasons to draft him outside of the gimmick; why resist the combination?

Another big reason for me is that the inconsistencies in his game are things I think that their development staff could help him iron out. He's got a bright future as a player ahead of him if he continues on his current path, but so far we've only seen his ability to manipulate opponents with the puck and his offensive production in fits and starts. I'd love to see him get to the point where we're seeing those night in and night out. He's got great defensive impact on the game regardless and he's a mobile, physical guy, but becoming more consistent in even one of those areas could elevate his game to another level.

5. Boston Bruins: Carter Bear — Left Wing, Everett Silvertips

Let us be blunt: the Bruins' prospect pool is kind of abysmal. Zero offense meant to any individual in it; as a whole, it just isn't good. They need someone to spice it up. They need someone with jam because that's how they prefer to play, but they also need someone who brings the offense. Enter a player who is perfect in both style and name: Carter Bear. (Disclaimer: the name didn't actually figure in when I made this selection, which was based entirely on the way he plays, but it was funny.)

Bear is extremely good at racking up points and annoying his opponents. He's got terrific attention to detail, impressive tenacity, and slippery skating. And the best thing about these abilities is that he's constantly involved and competing hard night in and night out. Consistency is not always given at the junior level, so it's valued and appreciated when we do see it. By pairing his skills with the ability to use them consistently, Bear gives himself a bit of a leg up on other prospects—and would be an asset to any team's prospect pool, not just Boston.