10 Up-and-Coming Players Set to Blossom in the NHL

Each year a new group of players joins the NHL and tries to establish themselves as quality players in the world's greatest league. This is a look at 10 up-and-coming players set to blossom.

These players will probably not be stars this season, but will improve their games enough to become full-time NHL players and contribute consistently to their teams' success.

Some of these players have already spent time in the NHL, but for several reasons, they should elevate their game in the coming season.

Keep in mind, this list does not evaluate a player's long-term potential, just what is expected of them in the coming season.

Feel free to comment on any players you feel belong on this list but were omitted. As always, indicate why you feel your player belongs and where you would place him on the list.

10. Adam Larsson

New Jersey's Adam Larsson took a step back last season.

After a solid rookie year that saw him score two goals and 18 points in 65 games, the 20-year-old Swedish defenseman regressed to just six assists in 37 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 NHL season. He was even a healthy scratch for several games.

Larsson needs to regain his confidence. The skills that impressed scouts so much two years ago are still there. Defensemen usually take longer to develop than forwards, and Larsson isn't even old enough to drink legally in this country.

If he can score five goals and 20 points and play steady, consistent defense, Larsson will have a great bounce-back season.

9. Danny DeKeyser

The Detroit Red Wings tend to bring their prospects along gradually, leaving them in the AHL a bit longer than most teams. They play the same system in Grand Rapids, so players are truly ready both physically and mentally when they get the call to come to Detroit.

Danny DeKeyser has benefited from this system. He is 23 now and just played his first 11 NHL games last season.

Expect DeKeyser to earn a regular NHL job this season. While his statistics will likely not be earth-shattering, DeKeyser should become a steady contributor, especially in his own end.

If he puts up 20 points in his rookie year, that will be a lot. The native of Clay Township, Mich., never accumulated more than 17 points in a season at Western Michigan University.

8. Jason Zucker

Jason Zucker exceeded expectations last year and made his NHL debut during his first professional season.

"His ceiling is higher now than we anticipated," Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher told The Hockey News in its annual "Prospect Watch" issue. "It's very rare for a first-year, 20-year-old forward to score at a goal every-other-game pace and a point-per-game pace (in the AHL)."

He then came to the Wild and scored four goals in 20 games.

Despite his lack of bulk, Zucker has good quickness and anticipation.

Expect 15 goals and 40 points this season as a major step forward for Zucker.

7. Torey Krug

Defenseman Torey Krug played only one game this regular season for the Boston Bruins.

He spent most of the year in Providence, where he scored 13 goals and 45 points in 63 games while showing plenty of offensive ability.

But in the playoffs, Krug played 15 games for Boston when injuries struck the blue line, and Krug came through with a solid performance. He scored four goals and six points and never looked out of place in his own zone.

"He understands he's got to produce offensively or defensively, they're going to find someone bigger," Bruins assistant coach Kevin Dean told ESPNBoston.com's Jackie MacMullan. "He's dialed in. He gets it."

Expect Krug to put up improved offensive numbers in his first full NHL season. If he manages 10 goals and 30 points, his rookie year would be a huge success.

6. Emerson Etem

Emerson Etem scored only three goals and 10 points in 37 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season, but he showed what he is capable of in the playoffs, scoring three goals and five points in seven contests.

The Long Beach, Calif., native has good speed, despite his unorthodox skating style, and was a prolific scorer for Medicine Hat of the WHL.

If Teemu Selanne retires, look for a bigger spike in Etem's ice time both at even strength and on the power play.

Etem is not ready for stardom just yet, but a 20-goal season is not out of the question this year.

5. Beau Bennett

Beau Bennett showed flashes of offensive ability during his 26 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, scoring three goals and 14 points.

Bennett should develop into a solid top-six forward, but at 21, he still needs to gain experience and mature a bit more physically.

It is possible the former University of Denver star plays some top-six minutes this season and may be paired at times with either Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby. That can only help his numbers.

The native of Gardena, Calif., is a few years away from reaching his potential, but he should make a nice jump this year and establish himself as a full-time NHL player.

4. Cory Conacher

Cory Conacher got off to a very hot start for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season.

In his first 23 games with Tampa Bay, he scored seven goals and 20 points. By the end of the season, Conacher had slowed down considerably. He finished the season with 11 goals and 29 points in 47 games split between Tampa Bay and Ottawa.

It is unlikely Conacher maintains a point-per-game pace like he had early in the season, but 25 goals and 55 points are not unrealistic goals for the 5'8" native of Burlington, Ontario.

Despite his lack of size, Conacher has quick hands and the ability to find some open ice. One key to his future will be how well he takes the physical pounding of a full 82-game NHL season. If he passes that test, his future should be a bright one.

3. Carl Hagelin

A lot was expected of the New York Rangers Carl Hagelin last season, but the speedy Swedish winger had only 10 goals and 24 points in 48 games last season.

Part of the problem was clearly Hagelin's relationship with former Rangers coach John Tortorella. The coach infamously said that Hagelin "stinks on the power play" and often had him in the dog house.

Tortorella also played a defensive-oriented system that required all of his forwards to block shots and stop opponents while sacrificing offense.

This system didn't fit Hagelin very well. Freed from Tortorella's shackles, Hagelin could score 25 goals and 55-60 points this season under Alain Vigneault.

2. Jacob Markstrom

Last year was a tough one for Florida Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom. The 23-year-old Swedish netminder finally established himself as an NHL starter after injuries felled Jose Theodore.

In 23 games, Markstrom had a save percentage of .901 and a GAA of 3.22. Neither number is outstanding, but when you consider the injury-depleted lineup in front of him, it's not half bad either.

If Markstrom can use his 6'6" frame to his advantage and play the butterfly style that got him here, he should have a GAA of below 3.00 and win more games than he loses.

Markstrom has the potential for stardom, but will probably just take a step forward next season, not become an overnight sensation.

1. Alex Galchenyuk

Alex Galchenyuk has a solid debut season for the Montreal Canadiens last year and more should be expected of him in the coming years. It's hard to believe the former third-overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft won't turn 20 until mid-February.

The good news for Habs fans is that Galchenyuk has shown a willingness to go into corners and fight for position in front of the net, keys to long-term success in the NHL. The bad news is that he still needs to mature physically and make the adjustment of playing against men rather than the teens he faced while starring for the Sarnia Sting.

Last year, Galchenyuk scored nine goals and 27 points in 48 games. An improvement to 20 goals and 60 points would be a nice step forward for this player who, down the road, has star potential.