Top 5 Rising Stars in the NHL
The 2013-2014 regular season has come to a close. The real action starts on Wednesday and if you’re anything like me you took off work for the remainder of the week. Before we dive into some playoff predictions let’s take a look back on this season.
A few notable things:
Vancouver fuckin sucks, who would have thought that back in September? The typical garbage teams remained garbage teams. The Wings narrowly escaped missing the playoffs for the first time in 23 years. Why the hell did Tampa trade St. Louis for Ryan Callahan? Speaking of the Lightning, Ryan Malone really dropped off huh? Just a few years ago he was a contributing member of a Stanley Cup winning team in Pittsburgh, now he’s railing lines and slammin’ beers in Florida. Tim Thomas is back in the NHL. He spent most of the season with a farm team, the Florida Panthers, and got his shot in the League when he was dealt to the Stars. Where the fuck did Gustav Nyquist come from? Detroit is paying their leading scorer (Nyquist) $800,000 this year and paying Todd Bertuzzi $2.175 million; what the hell is going on? Ovi scored 50 goals again but his team didn’t make the playoffs. Nice work Ovi. What’s the Russian word for selfish? Ryan Miller finally got out of Buffalo. It only took him a decade but who’s keeping track. Colorado emerged as a powerhouse with their new psychotic coach, Patrick Roy. Sidney Crosby played a full season without any major injuries. That must be tough for the most protected player in the history of the game. Nick Lidstrom’s number was retired in Detroit. The Wing’s owner, Mike Illitch, presented him with a Dodge Ram as thanks for his 2 decade stint as the most prolific player at his position. Good choice Mike; I’m sure a Dodge Ram was just what Nick wanted and just a little too pricey for a guy worth $20 million. But hey, you have to save money somewhere when you’re paying a guy on the baseball team you own $29.2 million a year for the next 10 years (Miguel Cabrera). Finally, Team Canada won the gold medal in Sochi. We get it; you guys are good at hockey. You also elect guys like Rob Ford as mayor of your biggest city. Be proud.
Every NHL season is a platform for players to increase (or decrease) their value to their team. With 82 games and the never ending train of injuries, there are a lot of opportunities for guys who don’t normally see a lot of playing time to get out there and make a name for themselves. So, who came out of the woodwork this year? Here’s my list of the Top 5 Rising Stars in the NHL.
#1 Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings
B/Y: 1989
Shoots: Left
Position: Right Wing
Draft Status: 4th round; 121st overall
2013/2014
56 GP, 28 G, 20 A, 48 PTS
Nyquist isn’t officially a rookie this year because he played for the Wings in the playoffs the past 2 seasons and just barely broke the maximum number of games allowed to lose rookie status. Nevertheless, “Goose” officially got brought up from the Grand Rapids Griffins this season and has been a scoring machine ever since. In just 56 games this year he scored 28 goals and recorded 20 assists. If he was officially recognized as a rookie he would be the leading rookie scorer with 20 less games than his peers. He’s fast and possesses natural scoring ability. He is on track to take the reins on the Wings as Datsyuk and Zetterberg phase out of their prime.
What the people say:
@TheFakeBabs: Gustav Nyquist was more valuable this year than Claude Giroux, and there’s no argument that can prove me wrong.
@patcaputo98: how should we spell Gustav Nyquist’s nickname: Snypquist or Snipequist
@bobwojnowski: Gustav Nyquist is the fastest-rising star in Detroit sports in a long time. Wow. He’s almost single-handedly leading Wings to playoffs.
#2 Oliver Ekman – Larsson, Phoenix Coytotes
B/Y: 1991
Shoots: Left
Position: Defense
Draft Status: 1st round, 6th overall
2013/2014
79 GP, 15 G, 29 A, 44 PTS
Ekman-Larsson is possibly the best defensemen in the NHL right now. The only thing holding him back is the team he plays for. Playing for a small market team isn’t getting him the attention he would get if he played for a more well-known club. Nevertheless, he is a young Lidstrom. His defensive play is just as good as his offensive play. This is a kid you will be hearing a lot about in years to come.
What the people say:
@Five4Howling: The Coyotes need to make up a new trophy to give Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
@nick_danbergman: Let’s go Oliver Ekman-Larsson! I mean lets go yotes!
@SportsnetSpec: Ekman-Larsson is a superstar
#3 Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning
B/Y: 1990
Shoots: Right
Position: Center
Draft Status: Undrafted. Signed with Tampa in 2011.
2013/2014
81 GP, 24 G, 26 A, 50 PTS
Tyler Johnson is the diamond in the rough for Tampa. After going undrafted, Johnson returned to play one more year of junior hockey for the Spokane Chiefs and put up 115 points his final season. This was enough to turn some heads and landed him a contract with Tampa. He played in the AHL for a year and worked his way up to the Show. He exploded onto the NHL scene this year; putting up 24 goals and 26 assists. Not too shabby for an undrafted 5’9” center. Ironically enough, he played alongside St. Louis for much of this season. Johnson has great speed and play making abilities. He’s fantastic on the penalty kill and isn’t afraid to get dirty. He is in the running for Rookie of the Year this year and is on track to become one of the elite centers in the game.
What the people say:
@tombatron: You say penalty kill I say Tyler Johnson gets another short handed goal…
@BoltProspects: Tyler Johnson is good at the hockey.
@Ferda_Clothing: The kid is good. Rookie Tyler Johnson (@tjohnny09) has now scored as many goals as @RealStamkos91 did in his rookie year (23). #ferda @TBL
#4 Vladimir Tarasenko, Saint Louis Blues
B/Y: 1991
Shoots: Left
Position: Right wing
Draft Status: 1st round, 16th overall 2010 entry draft
2013/1014
64 GP, 21 G, 22 A, 43 PTS
Tarasenko possess the textbook Russian skill set. He’s explosive, creative, and has an incredibly quick shot release. He has proven his worth on the Blues and will undoubtedly become a phenomenal NHL goal scorer in a few years. At the young age of 22 years old, he has already had a 20 goal season. He is fortunate enough to be on a highly skilled NHL team that will allow him time to develop his skills and mature as a player without putting too much of a burden on him too early. The sky is the limit for Tarasenko. He will be a first line all-star in a matter of time. With Oshie, Backes, Steen, and now Tarasenko on offense the Blues are looking scary.
What the people have to say:
@dawn_k3: Joffrey Lupul needs to start worrying about 3 people: Steven Stamkos, Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Steen.
@kfox9611: Hey @tara9191 I’ll say it for the 3rd time.. I WILL CUT MY HAND OFF AND GIVE IT TO YOU, IF IT GETS YOU BACK FASTER. FIND A SURGEON #stlblues
@THNRyanKennedy: I asked Chris Stewart today about Vladimir Tarasenko: “He snipes. In practice, nine out of 10 shots are bar down.” #Blues
#5 Dougie Hamilton, Boston Bruins
B/Y: 1993
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
Draft Status: 1st round, 9th overall
2013/2014
63 GP, 7 G, 18 A, 25 PTS
Last but not least, Dougie. If his name isn’t enough to make you love him then his play certainly is. At 6’5” tall he towers over a lot of guys yet still possesses a great skill set. Chara is getting older and this is the guy to take his place. He is reliable and plays his position very well. Playing on Boston has allowed him to develop his skills without being relied on too heavily. You’ll be hearing a lot about Dougie, trust me.
What the people have to say:
@BigBadBruins88: Dougie Hamilton Bringing Down The BOOM! #NHLBRUINS
@AmalieBenjamin: Apparently my Twitter feed has turned into all Dougie Hamilton all the time.
@kluedeke29: Dougie Hamilton 8 goals in just 53 NHL games to date in his young career. The incomparable Bobby Orr had 13 in 61 as a rookie in ’66-‘67
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