Emerging NHL Players Most Likely to Achieve Elite Status in 2015-16

NHL teams can alter the balance of power in their division if one of their young players emerges as an elite contributor.

It takes time, sometimes several years, before an elite talent emerges as complete. Tracking players from age 18 to 23 seems to be the range where they show themselves. These men play a couple of seasons in the NHL and then start to emerge as impact players.

Here are five players who appear to be on the verge of becoming elite, winning season-ending awards and changing the standings almost single-handedly. Players are ranked based on current point totals.

6. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames

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What Makes Him Special? Johnny Gaudreau is an electric offensive player, with brilliant passing and puck-handling skills, plus patience and vision. 

Does He Have Another Gear? He scored 64 points as a rookie. That is a stunning total in the modern NHL. He may not have another gear—he is on track for more than 80 points this season—but even if he remains in the rookie range, he is a quality producer.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? The scoring championship could be in his future if Gaudreau continues to spike offensively. He arrived in the NHL as an older rookie, so he may not have the potential of others in the group.

5. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Washington Capitals

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What Makes Him Special? Evgeny Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals is an impressive forward who has played enough in the NHL to start pushing the offensive on his own. 

Does He Have Another Gear? He scored 37 points last season and at this point looks poised to jump well into the 85-point range. Kuznetsov's season-over-season surge is exceptional and would represent a massive growth from the player if he can sustain it.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? We are early in Kuznetsov's career, so it is a stretch to project him as an Art Ross Trophy winner this year. Having said that, he is certainly on the radar as a possible elite-level offensive player and he is blossoming this season. 

4. Artemi Panarin, LW, Chicago Blackhawks

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What Makes Him Special? Artemi Panarin is a brilliant rookie for the Chicago Blackhawks. His speed and creativity are incredible and he has taken the league by storm.

Does He Have Another Gear? It will be some time before we have this player surrounded in terms of ability. At first blush—he is on track for more than 80 points—we are talking about an elite offensive talent.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? The Calder Trophy would be the obvious candidate, and he leads the scoring race among rookies by five points. We need to see him over a longer period but he is an amazing story this season.

3. Taylor Hall, LW, Edmonton Oilers

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What Makes Him Special? Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2010 Entry Draft. His time in Edmonton has been frustrating, but he is a brilliant chance machine with terrific speed and power. He has produced points when healthy since his arrival in the NHL. 

Does He Have Another Gear? During the course of his career, Hall has gone from a scorer to playmaker, mostly due to the roster makeup. This year, he is shooting more and is No. 2 in shots on goal in the NHL. If he continues at this rate, we should see more overall points, as he remains a quality passer.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? Hall's situation is somewhat unusual because he is both a scorer and playmaker. That makes him a strong future candidate for a scoring title, but his shooting prowess could help him emerge as a leading goal scorer.

2. John Klingberg, D, Dallas Stars

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What Makes Him Special? John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars is an overnight sensation. He was taken No. 131 overall in the 2010 NHL Draft and didn't see North American ice until 2013-14. His outstanding play with the puck has him on the verge of impact status. 

Does He Have Another Gear? His career high in points entering this year was 40 in his rookie season. Klingberg's current numbers suggest he will finish with more than 80 points if the pucks keep going in.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? The natural fit for defensemen is the James Norris Trophy, and offensive defensemen do get strong consideration for it every year. Klingberg is so new to the NHL we may not see it until this level of play is established, but he is an incredible talent having a monster season.

1. Tyler Seguin, RW, Dallas Stars

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What Makes Him Special? Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars was chosen No. 2 overall in the 2010 Entry Draft and has been scoring goals ever since. He leads his draft year in goals by a significant margin.

Does He Have Another Gear? In his last two seasons, Seguin has scored 37 goals in each. Early in the year, he is on pace to score 43 goals and enter the realm of elite scorer.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy is awarded annually to the top goal scorer in the NHL. It has become the personal property of Alexander Ovechkin, but Seguin is emerging as a strong contender this season.