Give 'Em a Chance: The Five Best Players Outside the NHL

Steve McSweenDec 29, 2007

It happens every now and again: A talented hockey player goes undrafted, unnoticed, and never gets his shot in the NHL.

Need proof?

Just look at Detroit's Brian Rafalski, who before signing with the New Jersey Devils in 1999-2000 dominated the Finnish league after a stellar college career in Wisconsin.

On that note, I decided to run down a list of the top blue-chippers who could make an impact in the NHL but have yet to break into the show—kinda like those bands that don't get enough radio play.

These guys are the Peter, Bjorn, and John's of the hockey world...

5. Lanny Gare

How did the Buffalo Sabres pass up Danny Gare's slick, speedy nephew?

Lanny seemed like an obvious fit after he put up 22 goals and 29 assists in 40 games at New Hampshire in 2002-03, leading the team to a Frozen Four appearance in Buffalo.

All Gare has done is score at every level he's ever played at. He was the leading scorer in the nation for the BCJHL's Vernon Vipers in 1998-99, winning a national championship. He had 18 goals and 35 assist in 60 games for the Quad City Mallards, 22 goals and 33 assists in 67 games for the Victoria Salmon Kings, and last season netted 24 goals and 11 assists in 50 games for the Lausitzer Foxes in Germany.

Lanny is like Justin Timberlake in his 'N Sync days—he just needs the opportunity to break out on his own. But who will give him the chance?

4. Alexei Morozov

Morozov was a highly-touted draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins who never really lived up to his potential.

The NHL was still a clutching and grabbing league when Morozov broke in with the Pens in 2003-04—and he posted some decent numbers, with 16 goals and 34 assists in 75 games.

After going back to his native Russia and dominating (like Mikael Nylander did in Sweden before returning to play in the NHL), Morozov looks like he could definitely help a club in the scoring department.

His numbers don't lie: 34 goals and 49 assists last season in 53 games, and 21 goals and 24 assists already this season in 38 games.

If Marcel Hossa can play in the NHL, why can't this guy?

3. Thomas Koch

Though I'm sure his 161-pound frame must deter NHL scouts, it's tough to argue with Koch's stats.

After leading Salzburg to the best record in the Austrian league last year with 40 wins and 10 losses, and scoring 30 goals and 46 assists in just 54 games, the 23-year-old should have NHL teams drooling over him.

Koch is an edgy, skilled forward, cut from the same cloth as Doug Gilmour. He would thrive in the new NHL with his slick playmaking abilities.

He has 24 assists this season after just 30 games. I wonder what kind of numbers he would put up playing along side Alexander Ovechkin.

2. Jakub Ficenec

Anyone looking for a quarterback on their power play?

Ficenec is similar in stature to Rafalski, and has the same offensive potential. The Ingolstadt blueliner put up 13 goals and 22 assists in 2005-06 in 46 games, then followed it up with 11 goals and 34 assists in 48 games last season.

The numbers get even more impressive when he's in the playoffs. In the last four seasons, Ficenec has played scored 12 goals and added 10 assists in 30 playoff games.

He's off to yet another stellar offensive start this year, with five goals and 21 assists in 31 games. Hey St. Louis, aren't you sitting at the bottom of the league in power-play percentage?

1. Janne Pesonen

Okay Anaheim, so you lost Teemu Selanne?

Well, Pesonen is tearing things up in the Finnish league—and he would look really good on one of your top two units.

Pesonen is a definite blue-chipper, folks—he'll be a 30-goal scorer once he reaches the show. This season, he has 20 goals and 22 assists in 35 games, and will improve on his 22 goals and 33 assists in 56 games a year ago.

The NHL without Pesonen is like peanut butter without the jam—it's good, but it could be a lot better.

So there you have them—five no-names who should be playing in the NHL this year.

When all you Los Angeles Kings fans see your team's 12-24-2 record, just imagine what Alexei Morozov would look like coming down the wing right now instead of Ladislav Nagy.

Or Sabres fans, think about how great it would have been to see Lanny Gare light the lamp in overtime versus Ottawa in last season's playoffs.

I'll quote John Lennon:

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

Enough said.