NHL Draft 2012: One Young Player from Each NHL Team That Has Star Potential

The NHL Draft is slowly approaching and top talents like Nail Yakupov are expected to be drafted, develop and turn into a star. Currently, each NHL team has either a player in the minors or their farm system with true star potential.

With that in mind, here is one young player from each team with true star potential.

Anaheim Ducks: Kyle Palmieri

Kyle Palmieri is a player who could have a great 2012-13 season. At the AHL level, Palmieri proved himself by scoring 33 goals and assisting on 25 others for 58 points in 51 games.

He also made the jump to the NHL, where he scored four goals and assisted on three others for seven points in 18 games.

He also proved himself on an international level when he recorded six points in six games for the U.S. National Team at the World Junior Championships.

Palmieri has great speed and a developed shot. He is a top prospect for the Ducks and could really go on a tear next season.

Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton is a sizable two-way defender who has a booming shot and good hands. That sound like another defenseman on the Bruins, doesn't it? 

Adding him to the Boston Bruins makes them an impressive defensive team. He joins a team already stacked with players like Zdeno Chara.

Hamilton excels in both facets of his game and is NHL-ready. Hamilton is a 6'4", near 200-lbs physical defender whose hands make him able enough to run a power play.

He was a steal at last year's draft and there is a good chance he will be a Bruin very, very soon.

Buffalo Sabres: Cody Hodgson

Cody Hodgson was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Buffalo Sabres in a trade they may want to forget. Hodgson was trapped in a centerman logjam in Vancouver but it's wide open for him in Buffalo.

Hodgson had 41 points last year and looked confident as he got familiar with Buffalo. If Hodgson can continue to develop and is eventually paired with Thomas Vanek, the sky is the limit for the 22-year-old center.

Calgary Flames: Sven Bartschi

In THN's Future Watch, Sven Bartschi was ranked as the No.15 prospect overall in all of hockey.

Bartschi is a speedy winger, standing at 5'11" and 185 lbs., with good hands and on-ice vision. He will flourish in the NHL if he is paired with a good center.

He was a good pick for the Calgary Flames, as they are looking to improve offensively (and Bartschi is a good player to invest in). Bartschi had 94 points in 47 games this season and was called up by the Flames on an interim basis. 

Over time he will flourish into a solid NHL winger and will light the lamp for the Flames in years to come.

 

Carolina Hurricanes: Zac Dalpe

Zac Dalpe is a solid center with a good shot. He has bounced between the NHL and minors twice, but many players have done this in the past. 

Dalpe scored 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points as a member of the Charlotte Checkers last season. He also spent some time with the Hurricanes during the 2011-12 season.

Dalpe is a talented player and could see some playing time if the Hurricanes shake up their roster. Dalpe should have a bright future in this league, because he has shown that he can contribute offensively. If paired with the right forwards, Dalpe can be successful with Carolina.

The Hurricanes have some promising players, and Dalpe is another player to keep your eye on.

Chicago Blackhawks: Brandon Pirri

Brandon Pirri definitely could crack the roster next season. Pirri is a young player who has shown some real growth on the ice from last season.

Pirri played in 70 games last season and recorded only 43 points. This season, he has surpassed his previous high in points with a grand total of 56 points . The fact that Pirri is only 20 years old illustrates that he has the potential to grow even more.

If Pirri is given a good shot at the NHL level, there is no reason why he can't be successful.

Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog

Gabriel Landeskog is on the way to becoming a star in this league. "Lando" is one of the three rookies nominated for the Calder Trophy. In 82 games, Landeskog played in virtually every situation and scored 22 goals and assisted on 30 others for 52 points.

Landeskog has the speed, skills and tenacity to become a true star in this league.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Johansen

Ryan Johansen is a young player the Columbus Blue Jackets should be excited about.

He put up some decent numbers in the WHL but had a tough first season in the NHL. Johansen has the tools to be successful in the NHL but he needs some complimentary players to help contribute offensively.

Dallas Stars: Jack Campbell

Jack Campbell is a goaltender who could be a true star for the Dallas Stars. He is an athletic goaltender with great reflexes who has a great, compete level. He has gradually improved and has a knack for showing up in big games.

Campbell has a bright future and if he continues to develop, could hit the NHL very soon.

Detroit Red Wings: Gustav Nyquist

Gustav Nyquist is off to a great start in his AHL career. In his first partial season in the AHL, Nyquist recorded 57 points in 55 games. Before joining the minor club, he had a successful career at the University of Maine in the NCAA.

Nyquist is an offensive-minded player who can put up points and play defensively-sound hockey. In the preseason he showed that he likes to go to the net and as a result, he scored two goals.

He also added seven points in 18 games with the Red Wings, during a limited stint in 2011-12.

He is a player of interest that would really fit in. Can you imagine him with fellow countryman Henrik Zetterberg?

Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent Hopkins

Ryan Nugent Hopkins is on his way to becoming a top player in the NHL.

RNH is a finalist for the Calder Trophy and scored 18 goals and assisted on 34 others for 52 points. The former Red Deer Rebel star went from No.1 overall in the 2011 draft to a top line threat in a matter of months.

RNH could prove to be the next big thing for the Edmonton Oilers in the years to come.

Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau

Jonathan Huberdeau really skyrocketed up the depth chart at the NHL Entry Draft last June. His 105 points season had a lot to do with it.

Huberdeau has a lot of the tools required to be a top center in the NHL and he is also a serviceable winger. He will fit well with the Florida Panthers as he brings an offensive arsenal that could really turn the Panthers around.

Huberdeau is a force to be reckoned with on the ice. He is gifted with a great skill set which is complemented by his agile hands and his size. He has a natural composure that makes him NHL ready. His killer instincts only enhance his lethal shot and hands.

Los Angeles Kings: Slava Voynov

Slava Voynov just hoisted the Stanley Cup and he has the potential to become a solid defenseman in the NHL. Voynov appeared in only 54 games but he scored eight goals and assisted on 12 others for 20 points.

Voynov is confident with the puck and can really break out for the Kings next season.

Minnesota Wild: Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund is another top prospect center who has a big upside. Granlund has been playing in Finland the past two seasons. He has worked hard and, sans a whiff during the shootout, impressed at the World Juniors Championship.

Granlund will join his fellow countrymen on the Minnesota Wild next year. Mikko Koivu and Nicklas Backstrom are two players Grandlund would love to play with. Grandlund has speed, skill and finesse. Look for him to have an impact for the Wild and their top-six.

In the recently published Future Watch edition of The Hockey News, Granlund was named the No. 2 prospect in all of hockey.

Montreal Canadiens: PK Subban

PK Subban is a young defenseman who can contribute offensively. Subban will enter his third full season in the NHL and has had two seasons in which he contributed 35 points or more.

If Subban can continue improving, he could become a star defenseman for the Canadiens.

Nashville Predators: Ryan Ellis

Ryan Ellis is one of the Predators' top defensive prospects. He is a player who is being watched very closely, given the situation currently in Nashville.

The Predators' top four is currently set and if one of the big two were moved, there could be some shifting that would involve Ellis joining the top pairing.

Ellis had 18 points with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL and 11 points with the Predators. With Ryan Suter potentially leaving town, Ellis could get his big break very soon. 

New Jersey Devils: Jon Merrill

Jon Merrill is a two-way defender with a good shot at making the team next year. He has the size to flatten opponents that infringe on Martin Brodeur's crease space and will benefit from spending another year at Michigan. 

Merrill can benefit from a growing defensive core that includes 2011 draft pick Adam Larsson.

Merrill stands at 6'3" and will become a force to be reckoned with in due time. Merrill's offensive and defensive instincts will allow him to join the rush and always be in a position to recover when the play goes back up the ice.

New York Islanders: Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome is a talented top player and his 106-point campaign last year skyrocketed his value at the draft. What sets him apart from others in this draft is his work ethic. What Ryan Strome may lack in size and stature, he compensates with his talent and speed.  

Strome will make an impact on the New York Islanders very soon and could become a star. The Islanders already have a talented player in John Tavares so it would to be exciting to watch the two play together.

New York Rangers: Ryan McDonagh

Chris Kreider has tons of potential, and is going to be a star, but Ryan McDonagh could become a franchise defenseman for the Rangers. McDonagh made a quantum leap during his second year with the Blueshirts and starred in a big way.

McDonagh averaged 24:44 minutes of ice-time, was plus-25 and contributed 32 points of offense without playing the power play.

McDonagh stepped up and really had an impact for the Rangers. He is definitely a future All-Star. 

Ottawa Senators: Kyle Turris

Kyle Turris had 29 points for the Senators this season and really started to show some confidence in the playoffs. Turris wanted out of Phoenix and assimilated well with Ottawa.

Turris has quality hands and a blistering shot that made even Henrik Lundqvist look vulnerable at times.

Turris could be a solid star center behind Jason Spezza on a young and promising Senators team.

Philadelphia Flyers: Sean Couturier

Sean Couturier is developing into a solid center for the Philadelphia Flyers. He had 29 points in his first season in Philadelphia and gained more responsibility as the season went on. Couturier also scored three goals and four points in 11 games.

Couturier is one of the many young players on the Flyers' roster who has a bright future.

Phoenix Coyotes: David Rundblad

David Rundblad is an offensive-minded defenseman with very good size and puck skills.

He has great on-ice vision and likes to move the puck into the offensive zone with smooth stick work and finesse.

Rundblad handles the puck with ease and is very confident in his ability and positioning. He is a great passer who finds his teammates with ease, and he loves to throw his body around.

Rundblad could become a solid two-way defender if he can develop his talents in his own end. This would only benefit him, as he already fills the niche of power play quarterback.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Simon Despres

Simon Despres possesses a superior hockey IQ that allows him to stick it to opposing forwards. He is a work in progress, but has had marginal success in the minors and AHL up to this point.

Despres is a multi-tool player, and his legs are his biggest threat and asset.

He is continually growing into his 6'3", 215-lbs. frame, but he lacks grit to his game. If he can become a more physical player, he will have a larger impact.

Despres is a solid defender who will continue to fine-tune his skills before becoming a mainstay on the NHL club.

St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko's greatest asset is his goal-scoring ability, which is complemented by his quick hands.

His volatile, abrupt speed and acceleration allow him to create space and weave magic on open ice.

Tarasenko is a feisty competitor who plays with grit and aggression. He is an average 5'11" and 202 lbs., but he has proven himself against older players during his time in the KHL.

Tarasenko will thrive when he has his opportunity. 

San Jose Sharks: Logan Couture

Logan Couture is a young player on the way to becoming a star in this league. Couture has gradually improved throughout his young career with the Sharks and has been an All-Star.

Couture's 65 points last season were impressive, but it is safe to say that the best has yet to come for him.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Cory Conacher

Cory Conacher has had an impressive season to date for the Norfolk Admirals. He won the Calder Cup, and led the team with a total of 80 points with a 39 goal and 41 assist split. Conacher has a work ethic that is unparalleled, which is partially because he has battled diabetes his entire life.

Conacher is a determined player who has a bright future in the NHL. Can you imagine a player with Conacher's talent paired with a skilled center like Steven Stamkos or Vinny Lecavalier?

Toronto Maple Leafs: Jake Gardiner

Jake Gardiner has emerged as a top defensive prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a stud prospect under Mike Eaves at the University of Wisconsin and had a solid season on a subpar Toronto team.

Gardiner had 30 points and was very disciplined—he had only had 18 penalty minutes total. If Gardiner continues the path of fellow U of W players like Derek Stepan, Joe Pavelsk and Ryan McDonagh, to name a few, the Maple Leafs are in good hands.

Vancouver Canucks: Cory Schneider

Cory Schneider now has the keys to the kingdom and is going to be a star. Schneider was the NHL's best backup and he stepped in for Roberto Luongo in the playoffs this year. The Canucks have shown faith in Schneider and it is no surprise that he is going to lead the team next year.

Schneider has the skill and talent and should be a star goaltender very soon.

Washington Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetsov

The Caps already have Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in the fold, so when they added Kuznetsov, it was easy to see a trend developing. 

Kuznetsov, a 6'0" center, was an integral part during Russia's comeback in the gold medal game of the WJHC in 2011, their silver medal finish in 2012 and gold medal finish at the World Championships this year.

Skills-wise, Kuznetsov is a speedy skater who will be working alongside Ovechkin and company in a few years. 

Kuznetsov was paired with players like Pavel Datysuk and Evgeni Malkin at the World Championship, and it was evident that this kid will be a star.

Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele is quickly becoming a player who fans can't wait to see full time. The Winnipeg Jets sent Scheifele back to Juniors instead of keeping him for an entire season. At the time it was criticized, but it should pay off.

Though he was impressive early on, he needed improvement in some areas.

Scheifele is a playmaker with skilled and agile hands. His speed and legs are essential to his game. He is a smart, two-way forward who has the makings of becoming a dominant power forward in the NHL.

He is on the small size for his position, but there is hope. If Scheifele can bulk up and hit the 185-190 lbs. range, he will be viewed in a completely different light.