NHL Predictions: 10 Players Destined for Greatness

Eric HeJun 7, 2018

With every new prospect that enters the league this season comes high hopes and expectations. Coaches, GMs, and fans cheer and support these young players, who dream of someday being the face of the NHL.

Some of these players will become superstars, while some will fall into the gloomy shadow of "underachieving prospect."

Here is a look at 10 players who are destined for greatness in the NHL.

10. Adam Larsson

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After inking a three-year deal with the Devils earlier this off season, Adam Larsson feels ready to play in the NHL this season. He was ranked as the best European player in the draft this year, and definitely is ready to live up to all the hype.

The 18 year old Swedish defensemen plays a game similar to Victor Hedman, and has been compared to Nicklas Lidstrom.

9. Ryan Johansen

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Acquired by the Blue Jackets in the Jeff Carter deal, Johansen has the rare opportunity to learn from Rick Nash and Carter. He netted 40 goals in the WHL last season, and he will make the Blue Jackets team this year.

His vision on the ice certainly helps his cause, and as he develops, he could certainly turn into a big center with great playmaking abilities, much like Joe Thornton. Although he is mostly raw talent, as he fills out his frame he could turn that raw talent into a force to be reckoned with as he develops.

Johansen has an excellent hockey IQ which allows him to succeed at a two-way game while playing significant time on both the powerplay and the penalty kill for Portland. For a big kid, he protects the puck very well, which will help him pan out to a potential #1 center down the road. In terms of big centers, he has it all: size, skill, vision, determination, and leadership. In addition to his two-way game, Johansen excels at faceoffs, which makes his value that much higher.

He is definitely going to mature in to a future superstar, and Columbus fans do have a lot to look forward to.

8. Eric Gudbranson

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As the 3rd pick in last year's draft, Eric Gudbranson scored 12 goals last season in junior, but he’ll do more without the puck than with hit. A strong skater, Gudbranson is more than willing to use his size as he hits anything that moves. Gudbranson says he added 20 pounds in the past year and although he may get beat by more experienced players right now, he didn’t look out of place in camp last year and won’t back down from anyone.

Gudbranson is a key piece of the Panthers future on the blueline, and figures to be the same in the present. He is big, gritty and has a mean streak to go with his impressive offensive instincts.

Senshot ranks him as the 5th best rookie in the NHL.

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7. Eric Tangradi

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After a cup of coffee in the NHL last season, Tangradi could be primed to break out this year and could compete for a regular spot on the top two lines.

He is almost guaranteed to make the Penguins roster out of training camp,

Tangradi had 18 goals and 15 assists and was a plus-9 in 42 AHL games last year, establishing himself as one of the league's top power forwards while providing a sturdy net-front presence.

"To have him be a big presence offensively, whether that's on the power play or the net front or being strong on the puck and a physical presence, that's the biggest area of his game that really improved," his coach John Hynes said. "His consistency doing that night in and night out was big."

Tangradi brings an element of grit and could be a skilled agitator to balance the pure skill Pittsburgh already has.

6. Jonathan Blum

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Blum got a lengthy audition in Nashville last season, playing 23 regular season games and 12 more in the playoffs. His offensive ability is superior, and he did not look out of place at all in the NHL last season. the 2007 first round pick is now 22 and is ready for an NHL assignment.

Blum has already gotten his fair share of intense NHL action, after being run over by Bobby Ryan in the playoffs last year.

“One of Jon’s exceptional qualities is his hockey sense and his ability to read plays and keep himself between his man and the net,” said Preds Assistant General Manager Paul Fenton. “You’re never going to see him as a bone-crusher, but you’re always going to see him on the correct side of the puck and making the right decisions.

5. Nino Niederreiter

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The Swiss forward got a taste of the NHL last season, playing 9 games before being sent back to Portland for the season. He scored 41 goals in 55 games, adding 9 in the playoffs. The sniper has matured and is ready to be a solid contributor on the wing of the New York Islanders.

"I think I got a little bit stronger, that’s for sure," Niederreiter said. "But in the end, it's still a long way to go and it's two months until the season starts, so we'll see if I am ready or not."

A strong player who can play both sides of the forward ice and has pro-level finishing ability already at his young age, Niederreiter's potential to be an impact player in the NHL is as high as anyone's.

4. Gabriel Landeskog

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The 3rd overall pick in this year’s draft has the best shot at making an immediate impact in the NHL this season. His size and compete level and the fact that he can play the wing made him the target for Colorado, who got their man at the draft. He should be a nice fit along the wing with either Matt Duchene or Paul Stastny.

Landeskog is already built like an NHL power forward and with the type of game he can bring, he could provide a huge boost to the Avalanche lineup right away.

"He plays the game with so much passion, he plays the game hard, he's a great mentor for players that are younger and older", Kitchener coach Steve Spott said. "It's maturity beyond his years. That kid doesn't need one game in the American league next year -- he should step right into the NHL".

3. Jakob Markström

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Here's a name that that has rarely been heard: Jakob Markström, a young Swedish goaltender, signed a three-year deal with the Panthers in May. Although he will start the year in the AHL, there is no doubt that he will eventually be brought up and become a number one goaltender.

Markström is a tall goaltender that has the ability to look even bigger in net. He is a skilled goaltender with great mental strength as one of his major characteristics. He is cool, yet intensely competitive. Markstrom plays the butterfly style with a good glove and has fine positioning and agility in net.

Markstrom had five shutouts with a 2.01 GAA and .927 save percentage last year in Sweden. Markstrom represented Sweden at the U 20 WJC. In five games, he was 4-1 with a 2.21 GAA and .927 save percentage as the team won a bronze medal.

2. David Rundblad

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Regarded by many hockey people as the best player outside the NHL last season, Rundblad will be given the opportunity to play prime minutes on a rebuilding Ottawa franchise.

Being named the best defenceman in the Elite League, Rundblad was awarded the Salming Trophy after his 50 point campaign. Being the youngest defenceman to put up 50 points, Rundbladhad 11 goals and 39 assists in 55 games and was third overall in scoring. With a good chance to man the Senators blueline next season, Rundblad is an offensive minded defenceman similar to Erik Karlsson, but with more size.

Rundblad is one who is fluid on his skates, he likes to take the puck from one end to the other. He is a smooth transitioning d-man, gets the puck out of the zone and generates offence, loves to jump in on the play. He has a decent shot and is proficient on the PP, his best asset though is his skill with the puck and generating the rush.

1. Brayden Schenn

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The key piece in the surprising Mike Richards trade this summer, Schenn is primed to have a standout rookie season. Surrounded by a talented cast, he will be given the opportunity to be a top 6 forward right out of the gate and will be set up for success. With nothing left to prove in junior, Schenn is ready for NHL work. He played for 5 teams at 3 different levels last season, including the LA Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Team Canada U-20, Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades. At the junior level he was a man among boys, dominating the World Juniors and scoring 53 points in 27 games with the Blades.

"He is a bull on the puck," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "He is strong on the puck and makes good plays. He's probably the best player outside of the NHL that's not playing. He's a tremendous young player and I look forward to seeing him over the next number of years in our organization."

Schenn is ranked number one among rookies by Senshot