Break On Through
Which players are poised to build on their incredible promise and emerge as hobby stars in 2019-20? Here’s a look at 13 youngsters who have the goods.
SAM STEEL
ANAHEIM DUCKS, CENTER, 21 e rebuilding Ducks are desperate for some youth down the middle, and Steel, the 30th pick in the 2016 dra , looks up to the challenge. He’s a silky and creative playmaker who makes everyone around him better, but he’s also capable of lighting the lamp himself with a wicked wrister. at he spent camp (and likely will start the season) with Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg illustrates that the coaching staff trusts him with two of their most effective wingers. He’ll get every chance to work the power play as well, giving him the opportunity to put up the kind of numbers that will attract the attention of collectors.
VICTOR OLOFSSON
BUFFALO SABRES, LEFT WING, 24 ere aren’t many seventh round picks that can hope to crack an NHL lineup, let alone secure a coveted top-six role, but that’s the path Olofsson has carved for himself. e 24-yearold (181st overall, 2014) has demonstrated the de scoring touch that collectors love. He led the Swedish league in goals in 2017-18 with 27 in 50 games, then made an easy transition to North America with 30 goals last season for AHL Rochester. His success earned Olofsson a late-season call-up to the Sabres and he made the most of that opportunity, scoring two goals and four points in a six-game stint. Despite his small stature (5-foot-11, 181 pounds), he’s fearless down low, which allows him to be in the right spot to unleash an elite-level shot. e tools, and opportunity, are there for a big season.
ROOPE HINTZ DALLAS STARS, CENTER, 22 A case could be made that Hintz already has broken out. A er yo-yoing between Dallas and AHL Texas through the first half of last season, the 22-year-old forward found a full-time job in the second half. e flashy Finn brought a much-needed injection of speed to a sluggish forward corps, and looked comfortable wherever he was slotted in the lineup. By the time the playoffs rolled around, Hintz was one of the team’s top forwards, scoring five goals and eight points in 14 playoff games. With the arrival of veteran utility knife Joe Pavelski, and fellow sophomore Jason Dickinson, Hintz is poised to give Dallas the dangerous second line they’ve needed for years. DOMINIK KUBALIK CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS, LEFT WING, 24 e hobby loves shooters, and Kubalik is one of those players who never hesitates to fire the pill. e 2014 seventh rounder was named MVP of the Swiss league last season a er finishing first with 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists) in 50 games. He added to his reputation at the 2019 World Championship, tallying six goals and 12 points in 10 games for the Czechs. He’ll likely struggle early as he adjusts to the North American game, but with his size, speed and finishing skills, he could find himself in Chicago’s top six, as well as on their power play. ALEXANDRE TEXIER COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS, WING, 20 e French-born forward played in just two regular-season games for the Blue Jackets last season before being thrust into the mix for the most successful playoff run in franchise history. He looked right at home at the high-stakes table, earning three points in eight games and winning over fans with his lightning-quick pace and willingness to fire the puck every time it touched his stick. With Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and others having moved on to more lucrative pastures, the opportunity is there for Texier to star in both a top-six role and on the power play. He’s a darkhorse candidate to challenge for the Calder.
LUKE KUNIN
MINNESOTA WILD, CENTER, 21 e former first rounder (15th overall, 2016) is likely to start the season in a shutdown role on Minnesota’s third line, but his offensive potential is intriguing. He finished last season strong with the Wild, then went down and dominated in the AHL playoffs, scoring six goals and eight points in 11 games. His college history also hints at his potential. Kunin was nearly unstoppable during his two-year stint at Wisconsin, tallying 41 goals and 70 points in just 69 games. With the low-scoring Wild hungry for more offense, Kunin will get a real chance to contribute.
ARTTURI LEHKONEN
MONTREAL CANADIENS, LEFT WING, 24 Big things were expected of Lekhonen a er he posted 18 goals as a rookie back in 2016-17, but the magic hasn’t been there over the past two seasons during which he posted 12 and 11 goals, respectively. So, what changes this year? It could come down to opportunity. While the 2013 second rounder has been used primarily as a third-liner early in his career, there are jobs to be won on the top two lines this year. And, based on early views, he’s in a great spot to claim one. ere’s a doggedness to his game that’s ideally suited to playing alongside Max Domi and Brendan Gallagher on Montreal’s top line, and a defensive responsibility that this team desperately needs. A er posting a career-low 6.3 shooting percentage last season, he’s due for a bit more luck around the net in 2019-20.
ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER
NEW YORK ISLANDERS, LEFT WING, 22 at the promising youngster saw his numbers dip from 21 goals and 36 points to 18 and 28 last year is no surprise. New coach Barry Trotz preached defense first, and young players like Beauvillier and Mathew Barzal struggled to meet those expectations while delivering some offensive punch as well. Older and wiser, he’s likely to get both elements of his game working this year, possibly on New York’s top line alongside Barzal. Beauvillier, a 2015 first rounder, came to the league with a wellearned reputation as a finisher. He topped the 40-goal plateau in each of his final two junior seasons, and put up a 40-39-79 line in just 47 games in 2015-16. His speed and creativity are his key tools. Both bode well for his future success.
PAVEL BUCHNEVICH
NEW YORK RANGERS, RIGHT WING, 24 Everything is falling into place for a big year for the Russian winger. He’s on a steady upwards trajectory in the goal-scoring department, going from eight to 14 to 21 goals over his first three seasons. And he’s being handed a glorious opportunity this season, saddling up alongside Mika Zibanejad and newcomer Artemi Panarin on what should be an explosive first line for the Rangers. at’s a golden opportunity for a young player who has been used primarily as a third liner through his first three seasons, and should allow him to showcase the offensive tools that intrigued so many heading into the 2013 dra . He’s shown chemistry with Zibanejad in the past. e key will be locking in the consistency that’s been missing from his game.
JORDAN KYROU
ST. LOUIS BLUES, CENTER, 21 Kyrou’s in a tough spot. He’s a kid trying to crack the lineup of the defending Stanley Cup champs while coming off knee-cap surgery that’s likely to keep him out through the start of the season. Still, he’s such a special player that it seems only a matter of time before he works his way into the lineup and is contributing on a regular basis. Kyrou played 16 games in the NHL last year, and o en looked overmatched, but he was nearly a point-pergame player in the AHL a er two dominant seasons with Sarnia of the OHL. He has elite instincts with the puck and the kind of game-breaking speed that the Blues lack. When he cracks the lineup, he’ll be a difference maker.
ANTHONY CIRELLI
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING, CENTER, 22 Barring a lengthy holdout by RFA center Brayden Point, Cirelli seems locked into a third-line role on a team that’s overloaded with top-six skill. So why get excited by Cirelli? Because he’s one of the smartest players in the game, and one of the most opportunistic. Despite limited ice time and primarily defensive zone starts, he generates shot attempts at a first-line pace, which is why he tallied an impressive 19 goals as a rookie. He’s also an elite defensive presence and penalty killer, which could put him in the mix for the Selke Trophy as early as this season. Add in his breathtaking speed and relentless presence and he’s on the verge of becoming a fan favorite.
ANDREAS JOHNSSON
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS, LEFT WING, 24 He’s far from a sleeper a er finishing last season with 18 goals and 40 points in the final 55 games, but Johnsson may only be scratching the surface of his full potential. e second-year forward is in an ideal spot, both in terms of his location – Toronto being the hobby and media center of the hockey universe – and opportunity. Blessed with a powerful stride and a tenacious net presence, he’s likely to see plenty of time alongside superstar center Auston Matthews and a recharged William Nylander, forming a trio that could be one of the league’s most explosive.
JAKUB VRANA
WASHINGTON CAPITALS, LW, 23 Some might argue that Vrana broke out last season, when he posted career highs in goals (24) and points (47) a er earning a promotion to Washington’s second line. Still, you watch the speed at which he plays the game, and his ability to get into the right areas to take advantage of his lightning quick release, and his ceiling seems much higher. No one should be surprised if he scores 30-35 this year, especially if he gets a more significant role on the power play.