10 Rookies to Watch in the 2010-11 NHL Season

The NHL 2010-11 Season is a few months away.

In this list, we are going to be looking at the top 10 projected rookies for next season.

The list is in no order whatsoever, I just picked out the top 10 rookies that I think will have a shot at the NHL next season and have a successful first year.

Nazem Kadri

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 19
Position: Forward, Center

Nazem Kadri makes the list of 10 rookies to watch because of his excellent showing in the World Juniors with Canada, and his magnificent season in the OHL with the London Knights, including a sensational postseason performance.

Nazem Kadri was selected seventh overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

From the day he was drafted, he has been the Leafs' best prospect and is surely to make the team next season given the Leafs' center situation right now.

Kadri scored 35 goals and dished out 58 assists in 56 games with the London Knights of the OHL last season.

He followed up his superb season by having an even better postseason, recording 27 points in 12 playoff games, averaging 2.25 points per game.

In Kadri's OHL career, he has averaged over a point per game, which shows great consistency, so that is just one of many things Leafs fans can look forward to next season for the young play-maker.

He is also a shoot-out specialist, an area where the Maple Leafs have struggled in the past.

Tyler Seguin

Team: Boston Bruins
Age: 18
Position: Forward, Center

Boston Bruins, here is your future captain.

Tyler Seguin was drafted second overall in this year's NHL entry draft.

Boston were able to draft Seguin due to the now-infamous Phil Kessel deal back in September 2009.

Many believe Tyler Seguin should have gone first overall because of the fact that he put up similar numbers to Taylor Hall, while playing on an average team in the OHL.

In Boston, that certainly won't be the case. Seguin will have the opportunity to play with the likes of Zdeno Chara, Nathan Horton, Patrice Bergereon, and Marc Savard if he remains with Boston by the time the season starts.

Kyle Beach

Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 20
Position: Forward, Left Wing

Kyle Beach was Chicago's first-round draft choice two years ago in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The defending cup champions have kept him in the WHL in the past two years, with a few glimpses of the AHL.

However with names like Byfuglien, Versteeg, Ladd, Eager, all leaving the Windy City, it gives an opportunity for Kyle Beach to have a spot on the roster for next season.

One thing that does worry me about Beach is that he has zero points in six AHL games, which makes me wonder if he can make the transition from OHL to NHL, or perhaps he needs a bit more time down in the AHL.

Lars Eller

Team: Montreal Canadians
Age: 21
Position: Forward, Center

Lars Eller was obviously the main acquisition for Montreal when it gave up goaltender Jaroslav Halak earlier in the summer.

Many believe that Montreal got robbed in this deal, which it did, I mean, did the Canadiens not learn anything? Goaltending is the most important position for a hockey team, no goalie, no Cup.

However, Lars Eller is going to be a sleeper for next season. He's already 21 so I expect him to play with the Habs next year, and I think he'll surprise a lot of people.

Eller recorded 57 points in 70 AHL games last season and also scored two goals in seven NHL games with St. Louis, all last season.

P.K. Subban

Team: Montreal Canadians
Age: 21
Position: Defenseman

P.K. Subban is my pick to be a finalist for Rookie Of The Year next season.

The offensive D-Man showed his skill to Canada when they were watching the Habs' miracle run in the post-season.

One thing we know about Subban, or should know, is that he has a history of being a post-season performer.

Subban has 69 career play-off points (AHL, OHL, NHL Combined) in 77 play-off games.

I would say he has more confidence then any other player on this list along with Nazem Kadri, and can be a key player to have on the power play.

Tyler Ennis

Team: Buffalo Sabres
Age: 20
Position: Forward, Center

Tyler Ennis might be the best rookie forward in the NHL next season.

What I like about Ennis and more so the Sabres is that they took their time with him.

He was drafted in 2008 but spent the year in the WHL where he scored 43 goals.

This past season he spent it with the Portland Pirates, which is the AHL team for the Buffalo Sabres, and Ennis scored 23 goals and 65 points in 69 games.

Ennis also played 10 games in the NHL this season and recorded an excellent 9 points during his brief time with Buffalo.

Tyler Ennis is surely to have a spot on the Sabres roster come October and I wouldn't be surprised if he lights it up more then most rookies.

Taylor Hall

Team: Edmonton Oilers
Age: 18
Position: Forward, Left Wing

Taylor Hall......

The first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Although there was much debate on whether or not he's better than Tyler Seguin, Hall is too good to pass up.

The Alberta native is the type of player that will make an instant impact, especially on the Edmonton Oilers.

Jonathan Bernier

Team: Los Angeles Kings
Age: 21
Position: Goalie

Jonathan Bernier is the only goalie prospect I have on this list. Others that came to mind were Florida's star Swede Markstromm or Dustin Tokarski, but I don't think either of those two are as good or as NHL-ready as Bernier is.

He was drafted in 2006 and has spent his last two seasons in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs.

He might pull a Steve Mason or a Jimmy Howard or a Tukkaa Rask, but I can certainly see him stealing Jonathan Quick's starting role and Los Angeles using Quick to get some offensive talent.

Jordan Eberle

Team: Edmonton Oilers
Age: 20
Position: Forward, Center

Jordan Eberle hasn't played a single game in the NHL, and is already a national hero.

Potential future captain, potential future Olympian, Jordan Eberle has a bright future ahead of him and with the likes of Taylor Hall, Svensson, Linas Omark, Sam Gagner filling up the Oilers' roster,

Eberle will surely be right up there playing a key role to the Oilers team nest season.

Brayden Schenn

Team: Los Angeles Kings
Age: 18
Position: Center

Some, including myself, think that Brayden Schenn will be the best player in his draft class down the road.

The younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs Defender Luke Schenn, Brayden is expected to be at least a top six forward in the future.

I expect Schenn to make the team next season with Los Angeles. He can't go to the AHL, so if he doesn't make the team, it's back down to Juniors for Schenn.