Top 23 Hockey Players Under 23

Recently, I have been trying to re-build my fantasy hockey team, but have found limited resources.

For baseball, I usually rely on Project Prospect, which wonderfully outlines all of the top talent in the Majors.

Please visit the site for in-depth analysis on the game’s future. I will attempt to build a list similar to their Top 25 Under 25, except for hockey.

As opposed to Project Prospect, which uses the age of 25, I will use 23. The reason is that hockey is a younger sport.

While baseball players tend to break out around 27, hockey players usually do so at 24 or 25.

Therefore, I am providing you a list with guys who have not reached their prime yet, but who will in the next one to three seasons.

Capiche? Here we go:

1. Evgeni Malkin	PIT	22	Sometimes is invincible on the ice; but is still very productive.
2. Sidney Crosby	PIT	21	Production has slipped a little bit this season, but is still among the best.
3. Nicklas Backstrom	WSH	21	Great playmaker, playing with the best player in the world, and hopefully for the long-term.
4. Jonathan Toews	CHI	21	Best young leader in the game. Has stepped up with Kane slowing down.
5. Patrick Kane	CHI	20	Post All-Star break has not been great, but still among the top young snipers
6. Steve Mason	CLB	20	Calder Trophy is his to win. Leading the league in shutouts. Unbelievable.
7. Anze Kopitar	LAK	21	Very under-rated player currently in California, but he is a legit stud.
8. John Tavares	OHL	18	Consensus No. 1 pick in the draft. Will be a difference maker for any team (Isles).
9. Steven Stamkos	TB	19	Shaken off the cobwebs and proven why he was No. 1 in post All-Star break.
10 Claude Giroux	PHI	21	He has been given minutes, and is showing everyone his potential.
11. Phil Kessel	BOS	21	Coming into his own in his third full season. And 40 goals is not far-fetched in '09-'10.
12. Kyle Okposo	NYI	22	Justifying comparisons to Iginla. Would be a great fit with Tavares.
13. Bobby Ryan	ANA	22	Justifying being drafted right behind Sidney Crosby in 2005.
14. Carey Price	MON	21	Has struggled this season, but is still among the game’s best goalies.
15. Sam Gagner	EDM	19	Battled through sophomore slump, but started lighting it up in the second half.
16. Bryan Little	ATL	21	Under-rated because he plays in the ATL. Legit sniper with great hands.
17. Devin Setoguchi	SJ	22	Consistently scored with Thornton in the first half and off his line in the second half.
18. Kyle Turris	PHO	19	Struggled through his first NHL season. Still only 19, and has a great future.
19. Derick Brassard	CLB	21	Calder Trophy leader before he got hurt. Point per game talent.
20. TJ Oshie	StL	22	Fan favorite who not only scores, but hits. Great talent in a really good system.
21. Patrik Berglund	StL	20	A sure bet for a point per game future. Will emerge as Blues’ leader.
22. Nikita Filatov	CLB	18	Tearing up the AHL, and will be the next great Russian player. Only 18.
23. Peter Mueller	PHO	21	Sophomore slump hit him the hard. Points and TOI are half of last season.
Honorable Mentions
Michael Frolik	FLA	21
Jordan Staal	PIT	20	Only 20 and finishing up his third NHL season. Needs to be on a scoring line in order to step up.
Jakub Voracek	CLB	19	How good is CLB going to be in two to three years? My favorite young player in a great system.
Cody Hodgson	VAN	19	Future captain and consistent scorer.
Mikkel Boedker	PHO	19
James van Riemsdyk	PHI	19
Mikael Backlund	CGY	20