In The Crease

NHL clubs are spending lots of money looking for European talent—witness the 90 scouts who attended the six-nation junior tournament in Yaroslavl, Russia, last month—in part because U.S. colleges are turning out fewer NHL prospects. However, there are some collegians ready to make the jump to the NHL. Here are SI's top five.

1. Tom Poti, D, Boston University
Poti, a sophomore, is a smooth skater with superb offensive instincts. He needs to be more consistent in his own end and more physical along the wall. Recently Oilers' general manager Glen Sather, who drafted him in the third round in 1996, scouted the 6'3", 180-pound Poti with an eye toward bringing him to Edmonton for this season's stretch drive. Sather liked what he saw, and there's a good chance he'll offer Poti a contract.

2. Bill Muckalt, RW, Michigan
This 6-foot, 195-pound senior has big-time talent, speed and strength. He's also an oddity—a sniper with toughness. The skill-starved Canucks, who drafted him in the ninth round in 1994, could use him now.

3. Chris Drury, C, Boston University
His playmaking, hockey sense and leadership will get him to the NHL, but this senior's lack of size, at 5'10", 190 pounds, is a hindrance. Drafted by the Avalanche in the third round in 1994, he'll find it difficult to crack the talented Colorado lineup. Might be better off in another organization.

4. Marty Reasoner, C, Boston College
Scouts compare this junior to Dale Hawerchuk: Good size (6'1", 200 pounds) and very creative with the puck, but, unlike Hawerchuk, he's not an exceptional skater. The Blues, who picked him 14th in 1996, think he needs to be more consistent.

5. Willie Mitchell, D, Clarkson
This 20-year-old freshman is strong, tough, smart, mobile and big (6'3", 210 pounds). College rivals are hoping that the Devils, who selected him in the eighth round in 1996, offer him a contract so he'll turn pro this spring or summer.