Picking Each NHL Team's Breakout Star for the 2012-13 Season

Predictions for a player's success in the NHL are nothing more than educated rolls of the dice. Even the best scouts miss on the "can't miss" prospects from time to time.

The skills that a player displays on YouTube videos or against lesser competition don't always translate to success in the NHL.

Whereas prospects in the junior leagues were often physically and/or mentally superior to their peers, in the NHL they go up against professionals who match their strengths across the board.

Some players hit the ice and pick up where they left off at the previous level. The speed of the game is taken in stride, and the productivity is maintained.

Other players need a year or two to develop, both physically and mentally.

There are plenty of talented players who play in college, but if the talent is there, the player will opt to head to the professional level. The NHL success rate is about the same as that in the NBA for 18- and 19-year-old kids who are asked to suit up with the men 10 years older than they are.

For every LeBron James, there are dozens of Kwame Browns—in hockey speak, for every Sidney Crosby, there are dozens of Alexandre Daigles.

The following list the player from each team who has shown signs in limited professional play that he has what it takes to make his mark in the NHL. A couple of these guys have made huge steps in the right direction during the playoffs.

Whether they have thus far been limited by available roster spots or injuries, these players look ripe to make it big in 2012-13.

Anaheim Ducks: Devante Smith-Pelly

In a disappointing season for the Ducks, Smith-Pelly was a nice surprise. The 19-year-old winger contributed seven goals and six assists in 49 games this year.

A full season with the offensive-minded Bruce Boudreau could see vast improvement from Anaheim and their young power forward.

Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton

The heralded first-round pick for the Bruins in 2011 should be ready to make the leap to the NHL this season.

In his third year with Niagara in the OHL, the 6'5" Hamilton had 72 points in just 50 games.

Buffalo Sabres: Tyler Ennis

Last year was supposed to be the breakout year for this speedy winger, but ankle injuries caused him to miss 34 games.

After an injury-plagued 2011-12, though, Ennis will enter his third Buffalo season healthy and ready to go. 

Ennis finished last season with 29 points in the Sabres' final 30 games, which was certainly a positive note to build on after the Sabres missed the playoffs.

Calgary Flames: Sven Bartschi

After another Calgary season ended in disappointment by missing the playoffs, the Flames got a sneak peek at their future. Sven Bartschi scored three goals in his first five games with the Flames during a mid-March teaser due to a litany of Calgary injuries.

He was sent back to the WHL after his five-game audition and finished the season by averaging two points per game with Portland.

Carolina Hurricanes: Jeremy Welsh

Welsh got one of the nicer paydays in the 2012 season for his one game with Carolina back in March.

After Welsh's college, Union, was eliminated from the collegiate playoffs, Welsh signed on with the Canes as an undrafted FA.

He played in Carolina's season finale against the Florida Panthers and earned $97,000 for 15 minutes worth of work ($92,500 signing bonus + $4,500 salary).

Chicago Blackhawks: Brandon Saad

Chicago's second-round pick in 2011, Saad made his NHL debut this season and got his first NHL point, during the playoffs.

The left-winger had 76 points in 44 games for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL.

He will compete for regular time in 2012-13 with the Blackhawks.

Colorado Avalanche: Stefan Elliott

Elliott split his time this past season between the Avalanche and the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL.

In his NHL debut—on November 26, 2011—Elliott scored the game-winning goal against the Edmonton Oilers. He finished the season with 13 points for the NHL club in 39 games.

He promises to be a solid blueliner for years to come.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Cam Atkinson

On April 5, 2012, Columbus rookie Atkinson put his first NHL hat trick on the board, in a 5-2 win at Colorado.

It was one of only a few bright spots in a frustrating season for the Blue Jackets.

The Boston College alum finished the year with seven goals and seven assists in 29 games for Columbus.

He will be a key piece of the Jackets' rebuilding next year.

Dallas Stars: Philip Larsen

The Dallas Stars defenseman got to spend 55 games with in the NHL this season, scoring 11 points and finishing tied with veteran Sheldon Souray with a plus-11 rating.

The Danish defenseman has a keen hockey sense, making up for his smallish size by staying ahead of plays.

Look for his numbers to improve next season.

Detroit Red Wings: Brendan Smith

Red Wings fans have been clamoring for Smith for almost two years.

The former Wisconsin Badger has great hockey sense and a bit of a mean streak, but  Detroit has a penchant for keeping players in the minors until they are "ready."

With Nick Lidstrom's finally hanging up his skates, Smith's "readiness" couldn't be coming at a better time.

Edmonton Oilers: Oscar Klefbom

The Edmonton Oilers' first-round pick last year seems as though he might be ready for prime time after helping to lead the Swedish juniors to a gold medal in this year's World Junior Hockey Championship, in Calgary.

Klefborn was selected as a first-team All-Star for the tournament, and the Oilers are licking their chops to get him on the roster.

His size, speed and skill offer unlimited potential to the young Swede.

Florida Panthers: Jacob Markstrom

The Panthers' reluctance to sign Scott Clemmensen may have a lot to do with their desire to see if this giant Swedish backstop is ready for full-time NHL duty.

Markstrom got his first NHL win this past season and looked poised to take over as Theodore's understudy.

With Clemmensen's pending free agency, opportunity will knock again for the young Swede to make his mark in 2012-13.

Los Angeles Kings: Dwight King

The Los Angeles Kings' improbable run has been sparked primarily by the stingy defense and incredible play of goalie Jonathan Quick.

Timely scoring from unlikely sources like rookie Dwight King has also helped Los Angeles to the cusp of its first Stanley Cup. King's size and skill set might make resident power forward and pending free agent Dustin Penner expendable.

If King is the No. 1, then Slava Voynov is No. 1A. Voynov has stepped into a top-six defensive spot after Jack Johnson was traded to Columbus.

Minnesota Wild: Matt Hackett

With so many teams looking for goaltending in free agency, the Wild are likely to lose Josh Harding as the backup for Nicklas Backstrom. 

They are willing to let him walk because they have another very capable goaltender in Matt Hackett. In limited action this past year, Hackett showed that he can answer the bell if called upon.

Montreal Canadiens: Nathan Beaulieu

Just one look at the Canadiens prospects' last name should give the Montreal faithful a smile.

The big, fast, puck-moving defenseman can make an immediate impact with the big club this year after three seasons with the St. John Sea Dogs.

Beaulieu played this summer with the bronze-medal-winning Canadian junior team at the world championships.

Nashville Predators: Roman Josi

Beyond Nashville's dynamic duo of Ryan Suter and Shea Weber, the Predators boast some of the best young defenseman in the NHL.

And the emergence of Roman Josi may actually make Ryan Suter expendable this offseason for the Predators.

While Josi is absolutely not at Suter's level yet, he has shown signs that he knows how to get there.

New Jersey Devils: Adam Larsson

This year's playoffs might be forgettable for young Larsson due to some inconsistent play.

However, Larsson was the Devils' leading scorer on the blueline and will certainly bounce back next season.

New York Islanders: Ryan Strome

The No. 5 pick from the 2011 draft, Strome had a fantastic year in Niagara, posting some gaudy numbers. He also played for Team Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championship, helping the Canadian team win the bronze.

The upstart Islanders will welcome the talented center to the big squad as they look to return to the playoffs.

New York Rangers: Chris Kreider

Exhibit A of a player who shows up in the playoffs to help spark his team, Kreider won the NCAA Frozen Four with Boston College and a week later was thrown into the Eastern Conference playoffs.

He is the first player in NHL history to score two game-winning goals for his first two goals. He was an immediate spark plug for the Rangers and has a nice goal-scoring touch and high-energy play.

A full season with the Rangers will showcase Kreider's talents.

Ottawa Senators: Mark Borowiecki

Borowiecki saw limited action for the Senators' surprising run to the playoffs.

His physical style of play will be a great complement to Ottawa's collection of puck-moving, offensive defensemen.

He won't win a Norris trophy, but he can certainly provide protection for the finesse players on the blueline.

Philadelphia Flyers: Brayden Schenn

The younger of the Schenn brothers, Brayden came to Philadelphia via trade from the Los Angeles Kings.

In his first season of full-time NHL hockey, Schenn put up a modest 12 goals and six assists.

Used primarily on checking lines, Schenn showed a nose for the net and put up a more substantial nine points in 11 playoff games.

Phoenix Coyotes: David Rundblad

Runblad came to the Coyotes in a deal that sent Kyle Turris to the Ottawa Senators. In six games with the Coyotes, Rundblad helped on three goals.

With three regular Coyotes defenseman eligible for free agency on July 1, Rundblad has an opportunity for an increased role with Phoenix in 2012.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Eric Tangradi

With his size and playing style, the Penguins left-winger is the prototypical power forward.

He missed two months earlier this year after eating an elbow to the head from Trevor Gillies.

With all the talent on the young Penguins, Tangradi could potentially put up impressive offensive stats by accident.

His primary purpose will be to watch the backs of said talent.

San Jose Sharks: T.J. Galiardi

Hardly a prospect anymore, Galiardi is a player who has failed to reproduce or improve on any of his numbers since his rookie season, in Colorado. The Avalanche traded the big winger to San Jose earlier this year after Galiardi struggled through another season.

With all of the offense and leadership on the Sharks, if Galiardi can't make things work in San Jose, he may not be NHL material.

St. Louis Blues: Jaden Schwartz

Schwartz scored his first NHL goal in his first game on his first shot, very much like Mario Lemieux.

The similarities probably end there, but Schwartz is still a talented playmaker.

A point-per-game player at every level, Schwartz will add some firepower to a lackluster St. Louis offense.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Mark Barberio

As the quarterback of the Calder Cup-winning Norfolk Admirals power play, Mark Baberio may have played his last game in the minor leagues.

With the Admirals' parent club, Tampa Bay, in dire need of quality defensemen, Barberio has the size and skill to be an effective long-term NHL defenseman.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri

Assuming the Leafs don't trade their No. 1 prospect, Kadri, for a goaltender, he should be primed for a break out season.

The high-scoring center has had success in his brief stints with the NHL Toronto club.

The 2009 first-round pick for Toronto has captured the eye of other teams around the NHL and is prime trade bait for Toronto's goaltending search.

Vancouver Canucks: Zack Kassian

Kassian's stick work has yet to equal the effectiveness of his fists, but his rugged style is just what the Canucks need.

With a Vancouver roster full of talented scorers, Kassian is the ultimate complement as a power forward.

Washington Capitals: Braden Holtby

The Capitals' young goalie was the story of the playoffs before his Washington team was eliminated in Game 7 of the second round.

Holtby went into last season as the third goalie on the Capitals depth chart. Going into the playoffs, Holtby was pressed into action after playing in only 22 NHL games.

He played the first two rounds like a veteran, though, often outplaying last season's Conn Smythe winner, Tim Thomas, and this years' Vezina favorite Henrik Lundqvist.

Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele

The seventh-overall pick in the 2011 entry draft, Mark Scheifele seemed to start off his NHL career unbelievably well. He made the Jets after a solid camp but was sent down after scoring only once in his first seven games.

The increased playing time helped Scheifele's confidence, as he totaled 63 points in 47 games for the Barrie Colts.

Look for a more confident player to start out for the Jets next season.