Slapshots in the Dark: This NHL Season's Diamonds in the Rough

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

Each season several NHL teams add a player to their roster that was barely on the radar. Sometimes it’s a player that has been buried in the minors for years, other times it’s an unheralded rookie, other times it’s an unknown European player who makes a big impact and establishes himself as a legitimate NHL player.

One thing is for sure, there is always a long list of players that crack an NHL lineup despite the long odds.

Last season the Toronto Maple Leafs added unheralded rookie defenseman Luke Schenn to their roster. To the surprise of many, Schenn stuck around for the entire season and performed extremely well, especially for a first year NHL defenseman.

With that in mind, which players will shine in training camp and earn their way onto an NHL roster? Who will be this seasons diamond in the rough? Here, in no particular order, is my list of possible diamonds in the rough.

I can’t analyze them all, so feel free to add you picks in the comment box.

Ryan Stoa (F)—6’3”, 200 lbs. Colorado Avalanche—Chance of making it—60%

Stoa is noted as a good skater who has the potential to develop into a legitimate NHL power forward. Good speed, good strength and decent hands, combined with an excellent compete level, should serve Stoa well and may very well earn him a spot on the Avalanche’ roster.

This off-season the Avalanche traded Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings, opening up the second line Left Wing roster spot. If Stoa can impress in training camp, Smyth’s spot is his for the taking.

That said, It’s a lot to ask a player fresh out of University hockey to make an NHL team in his first NHL camp. If he doesn’t make it right out of camp expect Stoa to get a call-up.

Nikita Filatov (F)—6’0”, 170 lbs. Columbus Blue Jackets—Chance of making it—80%

Taken in the first round, 6th overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft, Filatov is regarded as a blue-chip prospect.

His small frame is an obvious hindrance, but Filatov has great skills, just ask him! Here is how Filitov describes his game—"I think that my main strengths are my speed, my capacity to see the open guys on the ice and my passing.” Sounds pretty good to me...

Filatov played eight games with the Blue Jackets lazy season, scoring 4 goals. He spent another 39 games with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, where he scored 16 goals and added 16 assists, for 32 points.

Filatov must show the Blue Jackets that he can absorb the rigors of the NHL, if he can do that he will likely see plenty of action on the third and fourth lines.

Justin Abdelkader (F)—6’2”, 205 lbs. Detroit Red Wings—Chance of making it—90%

Played in just two regular season games for the Red Wings in 2008-09, registering no points. Abdelkader played an additional 10 playoff games with the Red Wings, scoring twice and adding one assist.

Abdelkader played an additional 76 games in 2008-09 with the Wings AHL affiliate Grand Rapid Griffins, where he scored 24 goals and 28 assists and added in 104 penalty minutes for good measure.

Abdelkader established himself as an asset in the 2008-09 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As long as he can keep up a consistent level of play he should be able to crack the Red Wings lineup this year.

Gilbert Brule (F)—5’10”, 175 lbs. Edmonton Oilers—Chance of making it—40%

In 157 career NHL games as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Oilers, Brule has a grand total of 14 goals and 21 assists. For a guy that went in the first round of the 2005 NHL entry draft, 6th overall, those numbers, simply put, are not good enough.

Brule is one of those players that is often referred to as having “huge upside”, but his potential has far outweighed his actual performance to date. He struggles with his compete level and there have been questions as to how committed he is to the game.

This off-season the Oilers signed Brule to a one year, two-way contract, so the writing is on the wall. This may be his last chance, if Brule fails to impress a career as a minor league player is not out of the question.

Oscar Moller (F)—5’11”, 182 lbs. Los Angeles Kings—Chance of making it—70%

Moller split the 2008-09 season between the Los Angeles Kings and their AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs. Through 40 games with the Kings Moller had seven goals and eight assists, he netted an additional two goals and three assists as a member of the Monarchs.

Moller, who was selected in the second round, 52nd overall by the Kings in the 2007 NHL entry draft, is known as a player with a physical edge to go along with his great ability to cycle to puck and blazing speed.

L.A. wants to  make the playoffs this season and they would love for Moller to take up one of their roster spots. In order for Moller to make it he must establish himself as a legitimate two-way forward, he’s not a huge scoring threat, at least not yet, so a two-way game is his best bet.

Jaime Sifers (D)—5’11”, 210 lbs. Minnesota Wild—Chance of making it—50%

Sifers needs no introduction to Maple Leafs fans. Sifers has played with the Leafs AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies since 2005. Sifers established himself as a steady player in the AHL, earning an All-Star appearance and getting a call up to the big club, where he played 23 games as a Leaf.

In 23 games with the Leafs Sifers had two assists and a very respectable 20 penalty minutes. Not known for his scoring prowess, Sifers brings a tight checking game and the ability to shut the opposition down. His ability to take the man is well documented as is his great skating and ability to make a break out pass.

Considered a depth defenseman, Sifers should fit in nicely with Minnesota and, given the right opportunity, could be a staple on the Wilds’ blue line for many years to come.

Kyle Turris (F)—6’0”, 170 lbs. Phoenix Coyotes—Chance of making it—90%

Turris was selected in the first round, third overall, in the 2007 NHL entry draft. He has tremendous offensive skills, but his small frame has limited his effectiveness at the NHL level.

In 63 games with the Coyotes in 2008-09 Turris scored eight goals and added 12 assists, good enough for 20 points. The Coyotes have a ton of young talent, so it will be tough to crack the first two lines, but third and fourth line duties are certainly within his sight.

Corey Schneider (G)—6’2”, 195 lbs. Vancouver Canucks—Chance of making it—90%

Corey Schneider is NHL ready. So it was a very curious day when the Canucks went out and signed Andrew Raycroft to be Roberto Luongo’s backup, or did they?

It is my contention that the Canucks will find out very quickly that Raycroft is no longer an NHL goalie. This will pave the way for Schneider to be promoted to the backup role, and deservedly so.

Over the past two seasons Schneider has played for the Canucks AHL Manitoba Moose. over that span of time, Schneider has played a total of 76 games, winning 49 and losing just 24 times.

Schneider is known for his great quickness, great positioning, agility and his superb confidence. Clearly, Schneiders time has come, it’s my bet he will be a Canuck before long.

Cody Hodgson (F)—5’11”, 185 lbs. Vancouver Canucks—Chance of making it—60%

As a member of the Brampton Battalion, Hodgson has had a very impressive OHL career. Over the past two seasons Hodgson has scored 83 goals and added 94 assists.

Hodgson is Vancouver’s top rated prospect. He has great hands, tremendous skating, he's strong on the puck, and he’s got fantastic hockey sense. The Canucks are looking to add some scoring touch to the lineup, Hodgson just might fill the bill.

That said, realistically, Hodgson will more than likely be sent back to junior for another season, but a nine game call-up is not out of the question.

Tyler Myers (D)—6’6”, 211 lbs. Buffalo Sabres—Chance of making it—60%

Myers was originally drafted by the Sabres in the first round, 12th overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft. Obviously, size is not an issue for Myers, but his ability to make a great first pass has been questioned as has his ability to run the power play.

Myers has had four stellar seasons with the Kelowna Rockets. In 2008-09 he scored nine times and added an impressive 33 assists, 20 assists than he had the season before.

Myers may not make the Sabres right out of training camp, but you can bet he will get a nine game tryout. One thing is for sure, the Sabres will have a tough decision to make when it comes to Myers.

Karl Alzner (D)—6’2”, 210 lbs. Washington Capitals—Chance of making it—75%

Alzner split last season between the Capitals and their AHL affiliate Hershey Bears. As a member of the Bears Alzner established himself as an All-Star and registered 4 goals and 16 assists in 48 games. He played an additional 30 games with the Caps, registering 1 goal and 4 assists.

Alzner, who is known for taking very few penalties, plays a very simple game. He has good mobility and the ability to shut down the opponent. But his offensive upside is bleak and he could use more of a mean streak.

Steady defensmen are always needed in the NHL, it says here that Alzner gets the nod as the Capitals sixth or seventh defenseman.

Got some other names in mind? Disagree with my picks? Feel free to make your opinions known in the comment box.

Until next time,

Peace!