I know many of you are either working on your fantasy rosters or are simply curious about the former college players who could make an impact during this shortened NHL season. Players like Matt Frattin, Cam Atkinson, Matt Read, Carl Hagelin, Colin Greening, Craig Smith, Jake Gardiner and Justin Faulk should be on your radar based on their performances last year, but for the purposes of this blog, I'm going to focus only on the players that haven't exhausted their rookie status.
Richard Bachman, Goalie, Dallas:
Although this will be his fourth professional season, he's only played 19 NHL games and is slated to back-up Kari Lehtonen in Dallas. Given Lehtonen's injury issues, it's entirely possible Bachman will play a large part in the success of the Stars this year. He's a smudge undersized by today's goalie standards, but he more than makes up for it with his athleticism and composure in net.
Beau Bennett, Left Wing, Pittsburgh:
This one might come as a surprise to anyone who has never seen this guy play, but he's currently trying out to ride shotgun with Sidney Crosby…made even more intriguing when you learn that they worked out and skated together this summer in California, so the chemistry between them already has a solid foundation, which could prove to be crutial in this shortened season. Bennett missed a large part of the season last year with a wrist injury, but has been nearly a point-per-game player in the AHL so far this year and should receive primetime minutes with the Penguins. He is a natural playmaker.
Cory Conacher, Right Wing, Tampa Bay:
The pride of Canisius College, Conacher earned AHL MVP honors last season with 39 goals and 80 points in 75 games for the Calder Cup Champion Norfolk Admirals and is currently auditioning on a line with Vincent Lecavalier and Ryan Malone. At 5'8, he might be on the small side, but you'd never know it judging by his play. He's a great skater who protects the puck well and has great hands. He has earned this opportunity and will be given every chance to succeed in Tampa.
Chris Kreider, Left Wing, New York Rangers:
We all saw what he was capable of last season both at BC during their national championship run and then with the Rangers in the playoffs. While he is known for scoring clutch goals, he's also known for using his lightning fast speed and 225 pound frame to demolish the opposition. Many are saying he could win the Calder Trophy this year, I don't agree because I don't think he'll get enough points to garner the votes to win, but I do think his contributions will be enough to warrent a nomination.
Jamie Oleksiak, Defense, Dallas:
A 6'7, 250, there's a reason he's called the Big Rig. He was just called up to training camp yesterday and I think he will quickly work his way up the depth chart in Dallas. For a big man, he's been working really hard on his skating and it shows. Add that to his take-no-prisoners attitude and booming slap shot and it's just a matter of time before he becomes a staple on the Stars' blueline.
Justin Schultz, Defense, Edmonton:
He was a superstar at Wisconsin playing in all situations and I actually think the lockout helped him even more as it allowed him more than three months to adjust to pro hockey, which should make his transition to the NHL that much smoother, not only because of the graduated learning curve, but also because of the chemistry he's already developed with his teammates. He should earn beaucoup minutes on the blueline including the power play and possibly the penalty kill as well right out of the gate. after notching 48 points in 34 games in the AHL this season as a defenseman, he's my pre-season pick to win the Calder this year.
Jaden Schwartz, Left Wing, St Louis:
A proven passer who also knows how to score, Schwartz could be a big wildcard for the Blues this year. He's smaller in size, but not in strength or skill. He needs to work on his defensive game a bit, but Ken Hitchcock should have no problem with that. Furthermore, he's a Hitchcock kind of player as he will never stop working and trying to improve. Could had some offensive punch to the bottom six in St Louis this year.
Ben Scrivens, Goalie, Toronto:
This is his third professional season, but with only 12 NHL games played, he's still a rookie according to the NHL. Some argue that his numbers could be better, but others would argue that the same could be said about the play in front of him. Unless a trade is made, he and James Riemer should be in a heated battle for Toronto's starting spot and if I know anything about Scrivens, I know he's as competitive as they come so don't let the calm demeanor fool you. In fact it's his cool and collected attitude and sound positioning that give him the confidence needed to succeed in this position.
Brendan Smith, Defense, Detroit:
Smith has been biding his time in Grand Rapids like a good little prodigy. He earned a cup of coffee at the end of last season, but with the departures in Hockeytown, he'll be one of the top four defenseman in Detroit right from the start this year. He's an offensive guy, with great skating, sound positioning and a heck of a shot. He is more than ready to take this next step and will likely be even more motived by a side bet he's sure to have with his younger brother…
Reilly Smith, Right Wing, Dallas:
He's another player that I think will benefit greatly from spending three months in the AHL before facing the pressure of making the NHL right out of camp in his first professional season. It took him awhile to get his first goal with Texas, but once it happened, the floodgates opened and he's really settled in this past month which should make him more prepared as he tries to make the jump to the NHL. He's got speed, skill and strength and his best quality is his slippery nature. It's hard to stop him if you can't catch him. I'm very excited to see what he can do at this level.
Jason Zucker, Left Wing, Minnesota:
Zucker got his feet wet last spring with the Wild and has had a great start in Houston as he leads the Aeros with 16 goals and 33 points in 34 games. I'm not sure exactly where he'll fit into the lineup in Minnesota, but he's proven that he can contribute in a variety of ways. It doesn't look like there's too much room in the top six for him right now, a position he is sure to excel in eventually, but he's got enough grit in him to be effective in the bottom six and provide an offensive spark.
I wanted to include Carolina's Zac Dalpe in this group to make it an even 12, but he's already played 25 games over the past three seasons and is therefore no longer considered a rookie by the NHL. Regardless, I think he's poised for a breakout year with the Canes.
So there you have it….eleven (plus one) former college hockey studs that you should keep your eye on this season.
***************
If you missed my season previews, you can check them out here...
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Northeast Division
Northwest Division
Southeast Division
Pacific Division
***************
Here's a link to my
photo album on facebook of my trip to Russia. I tweeted a lot of them, but here they are all in one place!
Julie
[email protected]
Facebook
Join the Discussion:
»