Under-the-Radar Youngsters with Potential to Be NHL Stars

There has been a ton of talk this season about Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid, two super prospects who could become the next faces of hockey, but there are already some talented youngsters in the NHL.

While these players may not be generational talents, they are under-the-radar players with the potential to become NHL stars. Each person may have a different interpretation, but here are the players I feel have star potential even though they aren't getting the credit they deserve.

Not many of these players are household names like Filip Forsberg, Vladimir Tarasenko or Ryan Johansen, even though I feel many of these players have the potential to be just as talented.

Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

I am surprised that Johnny Gaudreau is not getting the type of coverage players like Filip Forsberg and Vladimir Tarasenko are getting this season, because what he has done so far has been very impressive.

Johnny Hockey is 5'9" and only 150 pounds! Despite the fact that he has the size of a modern-day Martin St. Louis, he moves up and down the ice like the energizer bunny.

He is an elite player when it comes to escaping, and he has to be one of the NHL's most agile skaters. Gaudreau's 21 points thus far are very impressive, even more so when you consider he was drafted 104th overall. He is a top contender for the Calder Trophy at this point, and there should be more stories being written about him going forward.

Ryan Strome, New York Islanders

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This season, Brock Nelson is reaping a ton of praise for his performance on Long Island, but there is another player who also deserves some recognition. 

Ryan Strome was an amazing OHL player, and his transition to professional hockey has been very successful to date. The smooth-skating playmaker is currently fourth in team scoring with six goals and 13 assists for 19 points.

He has grown tremendously since opening night, and he is on pace to finish his first full season with some pretty solid offensive stats.

Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers

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When I look at Nick Bjugstad, he reminds me of big, powerful centers who used to be the staple of the NHL. Guys like Eric Lindros weren't supposed to be so smooth because of their size, and while Bjugstad doesn't have as much pure talent as Big E, he strikes me as a potential star center.

Bjugstad is 6'6", weighs 215 pounds and he uses all of his size to his advantage. He is a fluid skater, even though he's lanky, and his booming shot has allowed him to score 12 goals thus far.

The Panthers' skilled center is on pace to finish with over 20 goals and 50 points, and that would be an amazing next step for the 22-year-old pivot from the University of Minnesota.

Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks

After watching Sami Vatanen tally 21 points in 48 games with the Anaheim Ducks in 2013-14, I made it a point to put him on my draft list for fantasy hockey this season. In 30 games this season, he has matched his point total from last season, and he could finish with 50 points or more.

Vatanen is a very fun player to watch, and he does so many things well. He's a skilled skater, puck mover and a natural power-play asset. He is only 23-years-old, and I feel he could become one of the NHL's elite PMDs, puck-moving defenders, of the future.

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

There are a number of talented young forwards on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and there is one who it seems never gets the notoriety he deserves.

Nikita Kucherov is a speedy goal-sniping winger who’s in the midst of an amazing season for the Lightning. He's got 11 goals, 14 assists and 25 points, and that's good enough for third on the team in scoring.

The 5'11" 171-pound winger fell during the 2011 draft because of the Russian Factor, and right now, you'd be hard-pressed to find other young left wingers with more skill than he has.

Due to his size, speed and hands he reminds me of Pavel Bure, and if he can play like this for the next 10 years, he could ultimately outproduce the Hall of Fame winger.

Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks

As a 19-year-old, Hampus Lindholm tallied 29 points in 78 games, and he's off to another decent start this season even though not many people know about it. Call it "East Coast bias" or the fact that most people are asleep when the Ducks are playing their games, but this kid is certainly a special player.

The 6'3", 205-pound defender has added size, speed and skill to the Ducks' back end, and it is mind-boggling that he is this good at only age 20. The Swedish rear guard has a bright future ahead of him, and fellow countryman Nicklas Lidstrom would be proud of his efforts to date.

It remains to be seen how good he becomes, but I certainly can see him becoming a 50-point defender with relative ease.

Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals

Andre Burakovsky is a special player who is still adjusting to life in the NHL. The 19-year-old Austrian native was selected 23rd overall in 2013, and he spent last season with the Erie Otters of the OHL.

During that time, he tallied 87 points in 57 games, and it was clear that he was ready for bigger and better things. The Caps' 6'1", 178-pound left wing has a ton of skill, and he already has 13 points in 25 games.

He will only continue to grow, and there's a chance he could develop into a player who helps soften the blow of Filip Forsberg lighting it up in Nashville.

Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils

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The New Jersey Devils have had an up and down season to date, but one constant has been the remarkable play of Damon Severson. The 20-year-old defender has stood out, and he's really come out of nowhere.

He was a pretty good player with the Kelowna Rockets, but exploded in his final year with the squad. To date he has four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 30 games. The numbers may not look special, but they are for a 20-year-old blueliner still getting aclimated to the NHL.