Top 23 Under 23: 2009-2010 Preseason Update

Recently, I have been trying to re-build my fantasy hockey team, but have found limited resources. For baseball, I usually rely on Project Prospect, which wonderfully outlines all of the top talent in the Majors. Please visit the site for in-depth analysis on the game’s future. I will attempt to build a similar list as their Top 25 Under 25, except for hockey.

As opposed to Project Prospect, who uses the age of 25, I will use 23. The reason being is because hockey is a younger sport. While baseball players tend to break out around 27, hockey players usually do at 24-25. Therefore, I am providing you a list with guys who have not reached their prime yet, but will in the next 1-3 seasons.

The first part of the series was done at the end of last season. This list will be updated at the end of every month and will track the progress of the next generation of NHL stars.

Graduated: Evgeni Malkin (1)

Player	Prev.	Team	Age	Comments
1. Sidney Crosby	2	PIT	22	Top 3 player in the game.
2. Nicklas Backstrom	3	WSH	21	AO helps, but still one of the best playmakers
3. Jonathan Toews	4	CHI	22	Destined to be next Stevie Y
4. Steve Mason	6	CLB	21	Won Calder, Vezina within 2-3 years.
5. Patrick Kane	5	CHI	21	Has to mature. Already facing pressure.
6. Bobby Ryan	13	ANA	22	Very successful ‘09. Great chance this season.
7. Steven Stamkos	9	TB	19	Growing up fast. Going to have a great year.
8. Anze Kopitar	7	LAK	22	Took a step back last year. 80+ point potential.
9. Phil Kessel	11	TOR	21	Unbelievable ‘09. Can he score 30 w/o Savard?
10. Bryan Little	16	ATL	21	The most under-rated 31 goals in history.
11. Claude Giroux	10	PHI	21	Great playoffs. Forsberg with healthy ankles.
12. John Tavares	8	NYI	19	Believe the hype, but temper expectations.
13. Carey Price	14	MON	22	Let down ‘09 season. Still franchise material.
14. Devin Setoguchi	17	SJ	22	Thornton-Heatley-Seto could be NHL’s best.
15. Sam Gagner	15	EDM	20	Only 20 entering 3rd season. His time is now.
16. Kyle Okposo	12	NYI	22	Awesome 2nd half in ‘09. Great line w/ Tavares
17.Derick Brassard	19	CLB	22	If healthy, he will make a HUGE jump this year.
18. Kris Letang	–	PIT	22	Will finally get regular minutes.
19. TJ Oshie	20	StL	22	The Blues will be very good this year. So will TJ.
20. Victor Hedman	–	TB	18	May take a few years, but bonifide keeper for TB.
21. Michael Frolik	HM	FLA	19	Very underated breakout ‘09: 43 pts in final 60!
22. Nikita Filatov	22	CLB	19	On big club this year. Big time scorer next year.
23. Zach Bogosian	–	ATL	19	Full season to show offensive D potential
Honourable Mention
Patrik Berglund	21	StL	21	Captain material. Will be very good for long time.
James Van Riemsdyk	HM	PHI	20	On the brink of making team and making impact.
Peter Mueller	23	PHO	22	Sophomore slump in ‘09. Lots to prove this year.
Erik Johnson	–	StL	20	A healthy former #1 will be very productive. Very.
Matt Duchene	–	COL	18	NHL ready? We’ll see.
Kyle Turris	18	PHO	20	Forced onto big club in ‘09. Starting in AHL.
Cody Hodgson	HM	VAN	19	CHL’s best player. NHL ready.
Jakub Voracek	HM	CLB	20	Could be a big breakout this season.
Drew Doughty	–	LAK	19	Great defensively, great offensively.
David Perron	–	StL	21	Maturing quickly. ‘09-’10 will be impact season.

Related: April 2008 – 23 Under 23