Rising NHL Stars Most Likely to Develop into Franchise Cornerstones

One of the most exciting parts of any new NHL season is watching the development of the league's young players.

Straight out of the draft, question marks often linger—sometimes for years. Once players start to establish themselves at the NHL level, fans and management groups get a clearer picture of who's going to make an impact on the sport over the long haul. 

During the past few seasons, we've seen young prospects like P.K. Subban, Erik Karlsson, Jamie Benn and John Tavares play their way into conversations in which their names are mentioned among the league's best players. This piece is about the next wave of prospects who are chomping at their heels.

I won't look at raw rookies who have yet to play their first NHL games. Rather, this article will spotlight emerging stars—under 25 but yet to sign their first big-money NHL contract.

Here are six players who are poised to take the next step to becoming cornerstones of their respective franchises in 2014-15. 

Sean Monahan: Calgary Flames

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Age: 19

What He's Done: In the Calgary Flames' first rebuilding year after the departure of stalwarts Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff, sixth-overall draft pick Sean Monahan offered Flames fans a glimmer of hope for the next generation.

Monahan finished his rookie season with 22 goals and 34 points and ranked eighth in Calder Trophy voting.

Qualities That Will Make Him a Franchise Cornerstone: At 6'2", Monahan has NHL size. The Hockey News describes him as "the type of center who makes his linemates better players."

Monahan made a splash in Calgary by showing he belonged in the NHL straight out of the draft. If he can continue his development, he'll be the icon of the Flames' next wave for years to come.

Nathan MacKinnon: Colorado Avalanche

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Age: 19

What He's Done: Barely 18 when he started the 2013-14 season, Nathan MacKinnon scored 24 goals and 63 points on his way to capturing the 2014 Calder Trophy and helping the Colorado Avalanche re-establish themselves in the Stanley Cup playoff picture.

Qualities That Will Make Him a Franchise Cornerstone: The Avalanche have an impressive young core that includes shifty 23-year-old center Matt Duchene, 21-year-old captain Gabriel Landeskog and 23-year-old offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie. MacKinnon might be the best of the bunch. 

Unlike most young rookies, MacKinnon got better as the season went along and showed plenty of punch in the playoffs and at the World Championships.

Former Hockey Canada chief scout Kevin Prendergast puts it like this when describing why MacKinnon's special (from the National Post): "He wants to make a difference. He wants to be the guy to score the winning goal. He wants to be the guy to have the puck when it matters. The kid thinks he is 25, he really does."

Ryan Johansen: Columbus Blue Jackets

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Age: 22

What He's Done: Drafted fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010, Ryan Johansen took a big leap forward in his NHL development in 2013-14. He ranked 12th in the league with 33 goals and added 30 assists for a solid 63 points. 

Qualities That Will Make Him a Franchise Cornerstone: Johansen has great size—listed at 6'3" and 223 pounds on NHL.com—and the Blue Jackets are already trying to build around him.

The only question now is whether he'll command a big payday straight off his entry-level contract. A restricted free agent who's at an impasse with his team in negotiations, Johansen's goal-scoring totals from last season are on par with high-end players like Patrick Marleau, Jeff Skinner and Alexander Steen. But one good season does not always define a career.

If Johansen and the Jackets can reach an agreement before too much time is lost, he should be able to take another step in his development once he returns to the Columbus lineup.

Brendan Gallagher: Montreal Canadiens

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Age: 22

What He's Done: Listed at just 5'8" and 175 pounds, Brendan Gallagher is showing that he's a big-game right winger who can play above his size and isn't afraid to go into the dirty areas.

Qualities That Will Make Him a Franchise Cornerstone: Gallagher showed off his trademark grit by posting four goals and 11 points during 17 playoff games in 2014. He's overcoming his size disadvantage, and inspiring his teammates along the way, as The Hockey News attests: "Owns great speed and tenacity on the forecheck. Can score goals, set up linemates and play a solid two-way game. Always leads by example when on the ice."

Gallagher's talent and work ethic will make him an NHL star before much time has passed.

Chris Kreider: New York Rangers

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Age: 23

What He's Done: Chris Kreider came out of Boston College with a bang, joining the New York Rangers in the 2012 playoffs and making his first two NHL goals both playoff game-winners.

In his official rookie season in 2013-14, Kreider impressed with 17 goals and 37 points before missing the end of the season with a hand injury. He stormed back in the playoffs, contributing 13 points in 15 games before the Rangers fell to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final.

Qualities That Will Make Him a Franchise Cornerstone: Kreider is big. Unlike most players who come up via the college route, the left winger is now listed at 6'3" and 226 pounds, and he isn't afraid to use that size to drive the net.

During his brief time in the NHL so far, Krieder has shown that he can make things happen. Expect to see him as the Rangers' center of attention for years to come.

Mark Scheifele: Winnipeg Jets

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Age: 21

What He's Done: Another big, determined center, Mark Scheifele put up 34 points in 63 games before missing the last month of the 2013-14 NHL season with a sprained MCL.

Qualities That Will Make Him a Franchise Cornerstone: Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun says Scheifele "may not be the six-million-dollar man just yet — that contract will come soon enough." 

The Jets have taken their time bringing Scheifele along, so he's burned off just one year of his entry-level deal so far.

Corey Masisak of NHL.com has pegged Scheifele as one of the league's potential breakout stars for 2014-15 as he centers Winnipeg's second line with fellow young guns Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler.