NHL Power Rankings: A Player Poised to Break Out in 2011 for Each Team
Every year there's a player that earns the spotlight on each team with their performance.
Often it comes from someone unexpected like Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders.
Sometimes it's a seasoned rookie like Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks.
Other times it's a player that filled a much-needed role like James Reimer of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In this presentation is a list of players who have either:
a) Played minimally for their current team and looking to become a full-time roster player,
b) Were highly drafted and have plenty of talent, but have yet to realize their potential,
or
c) Castoffs with something to prove.
The following are the players most likely to breakout for their respective teams next season.
Anaheim Ducks: Luca Sbisa
1 of 30
A 21-year-old defensemen with an Italian background, Luca Sbisa may go overlooked because of Cam Fowler's play this season.
However, Sbisa, who has poise with the puck, should become increasingly more comfortable in pressure situations after playing 68 games this season for the Ducks.
Coach Randy Carlyle knows how to develop defensemen and Sbisa has the potential to play a major defensive role for Anaheim as the team looks to capitalize on their success this season.
Atlanta Thrashers: Alexander Burmistrov
2 of 30
There are many young players primed to make a major leap on the Thrashers roster: Patrice Cormier, Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler and Zach Bogosian, to name a few.
However, Alexander Burmistrov stands out because of the growth the Russian can have after this season.
He played in 76 games for Atlanta and, although he only netted six goals, many of his tallies were spectacular.
This kid has nimble hands, quick feet and the creative mind necessary to make highlight-reel goals for Atlanta in the future.
Expect him to make a major leap forward next season.
Boston Bruins: Tyler Seguin
3 of 30
As the second overall pick in last year's draft, much is expected of Tyler Seguin.
This season he netted 11 goals and had 22 points in 74 games for the Bruins.
By no means was it a poor rookie campaign, especially because he received less playing time than other rookies by joining a contender.
However, those numbers should take a jump next season as Seguin develops as a player.
In addition, his ample playoff experience should help him handle pressure situations next year and give him an edge over many rookies on weaker clubs who are years out from the postseason.
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Buffalo Sabres: Thomas Vanek
4 of 30
Thomas Vanek is a high-profile player that often finds himself on the milk carton in Buffalo.
However, this season he broke the 30-goal plateau and had his second-highest point total (73) in his six years in Western New York.
Vanek has hit the 40-goal mark twice in his career and is capable of doing it next year.
Assuming the team does not stand pat in the offseason, like they did last year, he should get more talent around him and propel his team forward after a two-straight first-round exits.
Expect him to tally 40 next season.
Calgary Flames: Mikael Backlund
5 of 30
On an aging team in need of a serious makeover, it is difficult to find a player likely to break out next season.
However, 22-year-old Mikael Backlund might be that guy for Calgary next season.
He had 10 goals and 25 points in 73 games played this season and had played a total of 24 games before this season.
Backlund was the 24th overall pick in 2007 and has the talent to make a big impact for the Flames next season.
Carolina Hurricanes: Derek Joslin
6 of 30
Acquired from the Sharks for future considerations late this season, Derek Joslin (who wears 33 for the 'Canes) should thrive with more playing time in Raleigh.
Joslin, who was drafted by the Sharks in the fifth round of the 2005 draft, has played parts of the last three seasons in San Jose.
Carolina expects Joslin to be a major part of their team as they try to get into the playoffs next season after falling two points short this year.
Chicago Blackhawks: Nick Leddy
7 of 30
Acquired from Minnesota with Kim Johnsson in exchange for Cam Barker, Nick Leddy joined the Hawks for 46 games this season and saw ice time in the playoffs.
With his experience from this season, Leddy should suit up for the first game and become another threat from the blue line for Chicago.
Colorado Avalanche: Erik Johnson
8 of 30
Once considered a cornerstone in the Blues' post-lockout recovery project, Erik Johnson (No. 6) was dealt from St. Louis after they blew up their core toward the end of the season.
Johnson has had off-ice issues; he missed the entire 2008-09 season in an off-ice incident.
However, as the first overall pick in 2006, Johnson is talented and will be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
Expect Johnson, who had 10 goals in 2009, to be a big producer for the Avs next season.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Matt Calvert
9 of 30
Matt Calvert showed flashes of brilliance in the 42 games he played this season.
Particularly notable was his hat trick against Phoenix in February.
In an organization that has had particular difficulty developing players, Calvert emerged from the fifth round (2008) as a value pick for the Jackets.
Expect him to make the roster out of camp and make a major impact in his first full season.
Dallas Stars: Jamie Benn
10 of 30
Jamie Benn has thrived for the stars ever since Dallas dealt James Neal to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
This season his 22 goals matched his rookie total—even though he only played in 69 games.
Jamie Benn should be put up big numbers as the Stars take the next step towards a playoff berth.
Detroit Red Wings: Jakub Kindl
11 of 30
Jakub Kindl has already played in 51 games (48 this year, three in 2009-10) for the Red Wings and is primed for a breakout season next year.
He has been a healthy scratch for most of the playoffs and is becoming more acclimated to NHL play.
Wings fans should expect big things from Kindl next season.
Edmonton Oilers: Linus Omark
12 of 30
Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle should make major improvements next season, but Linus Omark, who only played in 51 games this season, should take the biggest strides.
A Swedish superstar with dexterous hands, Omark has had his fair share of flashy goals despite his limited ice time this season.
Florida Panthers: Michal Repik
13 of 30
As with any team in a serious rebuilding stage, the Florida Panthers have many players they need to improve drastically next season.
Michal Repik, a 22-year-old Czech forward, has a chance to make a big impression in South Florida next season.
Repik has played 55 games over the past three years for the Cats. This season he had two goals and eight points in 31 games for Florida.
He should make the team out of camp next year and increase his ice time over the course of the season.
Los Angeles Kings: Brayden Schenn
14 of 30
Brother of Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn, Brayden was drafted fifth overall in 2009 (Luke went fifth overall in 2008) and has played in nine games for the Kings over the past two years.
Brayden, a forward, may have trouble breaking the lineup on a team that has proven starters like Ryan Smyth, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar.
However, should he make the team out of camp, he could make an impact as a secondary scorer next season.
Minnesota Wild: Jared Spurgeon
15 of 30
He may be small (5'9", 185), but the New York Islanders castoff played well for the Wild last season.
In 53 games played, Jared Spurgeon had four goals and 12 points.
As Minnesota continues their building phase, Spurgeon, a younger player (21 years old) should receive more ice time and produce next season.
Montreal Canadiens: Yannick Weber
16 of 30
A lot of focus has been placed on P.K. Subban in Montreal, but Yannick Weber was also impressive on the blue line for the Habs.
Weber, Montreal's third-round pick in 2007, has played 49 games over the last three years for the Habs.
Last season he had a goal and 10 assists in 41 games played for Montreal.
Weber could see more ice time next season because many of the Habs' defensemen are free agents in the offseason, and it is doubtful that they will all re-sign.
Nashville Predators: Jonathon Blum
17 of 30
Colin Wilson and Blake Geoffrion are coming into their own, but Jonathon Blum has the most to prove next season.
Blum, the highest-drafted California-born-and-raised player in NHL history (23rd overall, 2007), only played in 23 games this season, but tallied eight points, was a plus player and has produced in the playoffs.
With a full season next year, Blum will develop into a compliment to Shea Weber and Ryan Suter as a third- or fourth-defenseman in Tennessee.
New Jersey Devils: Nick Palmieri
18 of 30
The Devils' third-round pick in 2007, Nick Palmieri played in 43 games last season for the Devils.
Being a plus player on the moribund Devils—who were resuscitated by Jacques Lemaire late in the season—is a good indication that Palmieri is willing to play on both ends of the ice.
His 17 points last season indicate that he can score as well.
New York Islanders: Kyle Okposo
19 of 30
It will be more of a rebound year for Kyle Okposo, whose 2010-11 season was plagued by injuries, next season.
Okposo had 18 and 19 goals, respectively, in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons and played nine games in 2007-08.
However, last season he only played in 38 games and tallied only five goals (20 points).
Next season the Islanders should improve and Okposo will look to break the 20-goal plateau.
New York Rangers: Ryan McDonagh
20 of 30
After three years at the University of Wisconsin, Ryan McDonagh joined the Rangers for 40 games this season.
He received ice time in the playoffs and should be primed for a breakout season should he play an entire year next season.
Ottawa Senators: Robin Lehner
21 of 30
The Senators have three goaltenders on their roster right now: Craig Anderson, Pascal LeClaire and Curtis McElhinney so it may be difficult for Robin Lehner to see ice time next season.
However, all three goaltenders on the roster are nearing age 30, and nobody has gone out of their way to get the job.
Anderson should get the nod at the beginning of the season because the team dealt for him, but Lehner, who is only 19 years old already has played in eight games, and with the state the Senators are in, nobody's job is secure.
Philadelphia Flyers: James Van Riemsdyk
22 of 30
James van Riemsdyk certainly isn't unknown in Philly—he's played in 70-plus games the last two seasons—but his potential has yet to be realized.
Drafted second overall in 2007 behind Patrick Kane, van Riemsdyk has the ability to be a major contributor on an already stacked Flyers club.
This season he eclipsed the 20-goal plateau.
He's capable of breaking 30 next season.
Phoenix Coyotes: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
23 of 30
A highly-touted prospect before he was drafted sixth overall by the 'Yotes in 2009, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was impressive in the 48 games he played this season.
There's plenty of room for improvement, but the Swedish defensemen should be a major factor for the franchise whether it's in Glendale or Winnipeg next season.
Pittsburgh Penguins: James Neal
24 of 30
Arriving from Dallas late in the season, James Neal is a player that had scored 20 goals in his first three seasons in the league and was supposed to produce immediately for the Pens.
Instead he only had a goal and five assists in 20 games with Pittsburgh.
Neal should bounce back next season and produce like he did in Dallas the previous two years.
San Jose Sharks: Jamie McGinn
25 of 30
After scoring 10 goals in 59 games played last season, the Sharks expected McGinn to be a major contributor this year.
However, in 49 games played he only hit the twine once and had a meager six points.
He's been a factor in the playoffs so far, however, and will look to become a regular contributor next season.
St. Louis Blues: Kevin Shattenkirk
26 of 30
Arriving with Chris Stewart from Colorado in the deal that cast mercurial defensemen Erik Johnson out of the organization, Kevin Shattenkirk will have big expectations placed on him next season.
With nine goals in 72 games played this season with the Avs and Blues, Shattenkirk has already laid a strong foundation for himself.
His goal next year will to be avoid the sophomore slump and be a major factor in St. Louis.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Dustin Tokarski
27 of 30
The Bolts are in need of goaltending in their new era and there's no guarantee that Dwayne Roloson will be the same next year—as he sits on the wrong side of 40.
Mike Smith has played serious ice time for the Bolts, but there's no indication that he's the goaltender of the future.
Dustin Tokarski has played in two games for Tampa this season and could step in and secure the starting job next season.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri
28 of 30
Keith Aulie, who arrived from Calgary last season, could be a fit here.
However, much is expected from Nazem Kadri, the Leafs first-round pick in 2009.
He played in one game in 2009-10. In 29 games this season he tallied three goals and nine assists.
He'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder as well. Head coach Ron Wilson called him chubby during a stretch when he wasn't producing.
Vancouver Canucks: Cody Hodgson
29 of 30
The Canucks are a stacked team with little room for prospects to come in and earn ample ice time.
However, Cody Hodgson has played in eight games this season and has a point and assist.
He could see some time on the 'Nucks next season and will be given an opportunity to contribute on a veteran team.
Wasington Capitals: DJ King
30 of 30
Many of the Capitals players are young, but already have had their breakout season (think Karl Alzner).
DJ King had a great season with St. Louis in 2007-08, but has since fell off the map.
If he can return to form next season he can play a blue-collar role for the Caps next season.
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