Predicting the Next Generation of NHL Superstars
Today's generation of NHL superstars, led by Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin, continues to dominate the league. In recent years, younger players such as Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin and St. Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko right wing have also established themselves as elite talent.
There is also a group of players aged 21 and younger poised to form the next wave of generational talent. From established stars like Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon (pictured above) to rookies such as Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, this group of youngsters could take over the league spotlight in the near future.
The following slideshow predicts the next generation of NHL superstars, examining their careers and performance to explain why they're poised for greatness. You can voice your opinion in the comments section below.
Honorable mentions
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Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers: The 20-year-old center made considerable improvement in his sophomore season. He's now centering the Panthers' top line.
Sam Bennett, Calgary Flames: Shoulder surgery kept Bennett out of all but one regular-season game last season, but he impressed in the postseason. The 19-year-old has a bright future in Calgary.
Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning: Despite a disappointing rookie campaign, the 20-year-old Drouin has plenty of upside as a playmaking winger.
Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens. The 21-year-old enjoyed a 20-goal, 46-point performance last season. Now a second-line center, Galchenyuk could be poised for his much-awaited offensive breakout.
Noah Hanifin, Carolina Hurricanes: Entering his first NHL season, the 18-year-old defenseman has considerable all-around potential. He's a key piece in the Hurricanes' rebuild.
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings: The 19-year-old center makes his NHL debut this season. A strong-skating, hardworking player, Larkin could eventually become a first-line center with the Wings.
Olli Maatta, Pittsburgh Penguins: Shoulder surgeries and a cancer scare limited Maatta to only 20 games last season. If he stays healthy, the 21-year-old has superstar potential.
Valeri Nichushkin, Dallas Stars. Hip surgery limited Nichushkin to only eight games last season. Now healthy, he should see his star rise in Dallas skating with superstars Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs. Rielly was among the few bright spots in a horrible 2014-15 season for the Leafs. The best is yet to come from this skilled 21-year-old defenseman.
Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
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Career to date: Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel is entering his first NHL season. The former Boston University star became only the second freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men's hockey.
Performance analysis: The 18-year-old is a natural offensive player who moves the puck very well and can find the prime scoring areas. He's already proved himself among professionals, finishing third in points among United States scorers at the 2015 World Championships.
Why he'll become a superstar: Eichel's drive, scoring ability and maturity should vault him into the ranks of the NHL's best players. He is joining a rebuilding Buffalo Sabres roster and will have the opportunity to grow with this team. Expect Eichel to lead the Sabres back to respectability.
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
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Career to date: Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is entering his second NHL season. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year for 2014-15. In 82 games, Ekblad tallied 12 goals and 39 points in 82 games.
Performance analysis: Ekblad had a memorable debut last season. The 6'4”, 216-pound blueliner plays a strong game at both ends of the ice. He's a smooth-skating all-around defender who can log big minutes in all situations. He's also a skilled passer with an excellent point shot.
Why he'll become a superstar: It's rare for an 18-year-old defenseman to have as positive an impact as Ekblad did in his rookie season. Young blueliners take time to develop into full-fledged NHL stars, but he seems well ahead of the development curve. This rising Panthers star will quickly become one of the league's elite defensemen.
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Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
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Career to date: Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg is entering his second full NHL season. As a rookie in 2014-15, he led the Predators in goals (26) and points (63). He was also their leading scorer in the 2015 playoffs.
Performance analysis: In just one season, the 21-year-old Forsberg established himself as the Predators' best offensive player. He was also among last season's NHL rookie scoring leaders. Forsberg is a skilled player with strong offensive instincts. He's also capable of playing all three forward positions and doesn't shy away from two-way play.
Why he'll become a superstar: If his rookie season is anything to go by, Forsberg will become the Predators' first homegrown scoring superstar in franchise history. He has the tools to be a perennial offensive force over the next decade.
Seth Jones, Nashville Predators
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Career to date: Nashville Predators defenseman Seth Jones is entering his third NHL season. In 82 games in 2014-15, he tallied 27 points.
Performance analysis: Jones, 21, is an excellent mix of size (6'4”, 208 pounds), speed and all-around skills. He can contribute offensively and has the skill set to be a strong blueliner. He significantly improved his defensive game in his sophomore season and steadily received more ice time as the season progressed.
Why he'll become a superstar: Jones is a total-package defenseman. As he gains confidence and maturity, he should blossom into an elite NHL rearguard. As team captain Shea Weber's skills decline in the coming years, Jones will inevitably take over as the Predators' top blueliner.
Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks
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Career to date: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm is entering his third NHL season. The 21-year-old netted 30 or more points in each of his first two NHL campaigns.
Performance analysis: In just two seasons, Lindholm became a top-pairing defenseman for the Ducks. He avoided a sophomore slump in 2014-15 and improved in every category. He has excellent size (6'3”, 205 pounds) and splendid all-around skills. For such a young player, Lindholm has displayed considerable maturity and poise.
Why he'll become a superstar: Lindholm has risen fast into a top spot on the Ducks defense. With his skill set and youth, he will only continue to improve. In the coming years, Lindholm could become the type of puck-moving defenseman the Ducks have been missing since Scott Niedermayer last patrolled their blue line.
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
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Career to date: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is entering his third NHL season. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year for 2013-14 with a 63-point performance. However, he struggled through an injury-shortened sophomore campaign, with 38 points in 64 games.
Performance analysis: MacKinnon is a versatile forward, capable of player center or wing. He's strong on his skates, possesses solid offensive skills and can also play a two-way game. The 20-year-old has good hockey sense and a knack for creating quality scoring chances.
Why he'll become a superstar: MacKinnon's sophomore slump is only a temporary setback. He's a determined young forward with terrific all-around abilities. Of the Avalanche's stock of rising young forwards, MacKinnon has the best potential to blossom into a superstar.
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
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Career to date: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid is entering his first NHL season. He was a top star in Canadian junior hockey. The 18-year-old was named the OHL and Canadian Hockey League player of the year for 2014-15.
Performance analysis: The last player to enter the NHL with as much hype and anticipation as McDavid was Sidney Crosby in 2005. He's a skilled offensive forward with tremendous speed and superb playmaking ability. He has the potential to become a leading offensive talent.
Why he'll become a superstar: Like Crosby before him, McDavid has been groomed for NHL stardom. With his skills and poise, he should quickly establish himself as a scoring force to be reckoned with. He will lead the Oilers back to relevance.
Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames
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Career to date: Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan is entering his third NHL season. After scoring 22 goals as a rookie in 2013-14, he tallied 31 goals and 62 points last season. He finished among the Flames' top three scorers and netted six points in 11 playoff games.
Performance analysis: Monahan, who turns 21 on Oct. 12, has everything you want in a first-line center, with good size (6'2”), offensive creativity, strong hockey sense and two-way ability. He worked hard last year to build up his body and improve his performance.
Why he'll become a superstar: In just two seasons, Monahan has established himself as an NHL first-line center. His quiet confidence and maturity has enabled him to quickly rise up the Flames ranks. Still years away from his playing prime, Monahan should soon sit among the league's top centers.
David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
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Career to date: Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak is entering his second NHL season. He played 46 games in 2014-15, scoring 10 goals and collecting 17 assists for 27 points.
Performance analysis: Pastrnak was called up in midseason and wasted little time displaying his tantalizing offensive prowess. He was among the few standouts in an otherwise forgettable season for the Bruins. Though a slender forward (6'0", 181 pounds), the 19-year-old possesses blazing speed, a quick shot and natural offensive instincts.
Why he'll become a superstar: Pastrnak has the ability to become a significant scoring star for the Bruins. He has considerable upside and will only continue to improve as he matures and adjusts to the NHL game.
Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets
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Career to date: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba is entering his third NHL season. In his rookie season of 2013-14, he netted 29 points in 65 games. He followed up in 2014-15 with 22 points in 65 games.
Performance analysis: Despite two injury-shortened campaigns, the 21-year-old Trouba quickly rose up the Jets' blue-line depth chart. He was among their leaders in ice time last season and became a regular part of their penalty-killing units. Trouba has terrific two-way skills and plays an aggressive physical game.
Why he'll become a superstar: While Trouba still has considerable room to grow, he has quickly developed into a reliable top-four defenseman. If he can avoid further significant injury, he will eventually anchor the Jets' defense corps and become one of the NHL's top blueliners.
All stats via NHL.com.
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