Ranking the Top Young Power Forwards in the NHL

NHL fans are always on the lookout for the next power forward, but the fact is power forwards—in the traditional sense—don't really exist in the modern game. Veteran power forward Milan Lucic made his NHL debut less than a decade ago, but since then, these men have seen their roles change.

Power forwards are no longer given allowances for taking unnecessary penalties or costing their team by spending excess time fighting. They are expected to deliver offense, possession and assistance to help their team win hockey games—along with providing rugged play that contributes to wins.

It's a moving target, identifying the best young power forwards. Instead of scouring the list for big men who score and accumulate points, it's a more intense search for this type of player in the modern game. Here are eight young power forwards who represent the future of the position in today's NHL.

Note: Players are ranked based on total points at the time of writing.

8. Evander Kane, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

What Are His Numbers? Evander Kane of the Buffalo Sabres is on track for a poor season, with current projections having him around 20 points over the entire 2015-16 season. 

What Makes Him a Power Forward? Kane is a throwback player who enters every contest with a great deal of enthusiasm. He's a physical player, an aggressive winger and a quality scorer—delivering a pretty complete package to his team. 

Are There Concerns About His Future? There are major concerns about Kane's future, however. In the 2015 calendar year alone, shoulder and knee issues have affected his ability to play. When healthy, Kane is one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the game.

7. Marcus Foligno, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

What Are His Numbers? Marcus Foligno of the Buffalo Sabres is an interesting player with potential to do a lot of things for an NHL team. He is currently scoring at a clip that would put him at 24 points over the entire season.

What Makes Him a Power Forward? Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald wrote a revealing article about Foligno for the Buffalo Hockey Beat. Included, head coach Dan Bylsma noted that Foligno is a physical player but has struggled to reach his potential: “You watch him skate and you see his size and you see what he can do on the ice. (If) he can play big and strong and consistent … then he’s going to be a big player every night, and that’s really his challenge.”

Are There Concerns About His Future? Foligno has a long list of maladies, and this is typical for these kinds of players. It has impacted his career progress to date and may do so in the future.

6. Chris Kreider, LW, New York Rangers

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What Are His Numbers? Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers is having a solid year and could finish with around 40 points. 

What Makes Him a Power Forward? Kreider has a range of skills, and there's a chance he emerges as a substantial scorer as his career rolls along. At the very least, the Rangers appear to have a solid offensive power forward.

Are There Concerns About His Future? Kreider has been susceptible to long scoring droughts, and there's always a chance New York grows impatient and trades him away. There's so much potential here that it's unlikely it deals him, and Kreider could emerge as one of the best power forwards of his generation.

5. Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

What Are His Numbers? Anders Lee of the New York Islanders projects as a 40-point player this season based on his current numbers. 

What Makes Him a Power Forward? Lee is big—6'3", 227 pounds—and wins a lot of battles with his size and strength. Although not an obvious choice for power forward because of inconsistency, Lee is an impressive hockey player when in battle.

Are There Concerns About His Future? The Islanders have a healthy and useful forward in Lee. If he can apply himself to the physical side of the game while maintaining his offensive ability, New York could have one of the best young power forwards in the game.

4. Brandon Saad, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

What Are His Numbers? Brandon Saad of the Columbus Blue Jackets is on pace for about 35 goals and close to 60 points in his first season with the team.

What Makes Him a Power Forward? Saad's skills include speed and an ability to win puck battles, two attractive traits of the modern power winger. According to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville said that Saad has the potential to be one of the best power forwards in the game. Lazerus also compared Saad to Marian Hossa, who is one of the more underrated power forwards in the game.

Are There Concerns About His Future? He has been healthy through his pro career, and there are no real concerns about him. The Blue Jackets are having a tough season, but Saad is a big part of their future and one of the emerging power forwards in the NHL.

3. Boone Jenner, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

What Are His Numbers? Boone Jenner is having a strong first half of 2015-16, despite the struggles of his Columbus Blue Jackets. He's on track for 60 points and over 200 shots on goal.

What Makes Him a Power Forward? Jenner is 6'2", 208 pounds and extremely aggressive. He's a handful for defenders and can overwhelm them with his strength. At 22, he's just emerging as a mature player, and his physical gifts are having more impact with each game.

Are There Concerns About His Future? His injury history includes back and hand issues. Many emerging power forwards are forced to alter their game in order to stay healthy—making them less effective—and that could be the case with Jenner if this continues. He remains a solid power forward, but his history of injuries is something to monitor.

2. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

What Are His Numbers? Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche projects as a 60-point producer based on his current rate of offense this year. 

What Makes Him a Power Forward? Landeskog qualifies under the old-school definition of power forward, with lots of aggression, scoring and penalty minutes. Modern coaches frown on selfish penalties because special teams impact the score so heavily, so that's a part of his game that Landeskog needs to refine. 

Are There Concerns About His Future? He has had some injuries in his young career. Physical players like Landeskog traditionally experience substantial injuries over the length of their careers and, in many cases, have a shorter shelf life as NHL players.

1. Ryan Johansen, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Mike Munden/Associated Press

What Are His Numbers? Ryan Johansen is enjoying a productive season with the Columbus Blue Jackets and is on pace for a 64-point season. 

What Makes Him a Power Forward? The combination of skill, speed and size—he's 6'3", 223 pounds—means Johansen can play any style required, and this season, he seems to be using his body more to separate puck from opponent. New head coach John Tortorella should aid him in this part of his game—or it could go another way if Johansen doesn't respond—as he has the talent to be an impact player, physically and on the scoreboard.

Are There Concerns About His Future? Johansen scored 71 points a year ago, and a more physical style could put him in more danger for injury. That said, the idea of a massive skill center who throws his weight around and wins battles is extremely attractive to any NHL team.