Patrick Kane made his NHL debut on Oct. 4, 2007 as a wet behind the ears, 18-year-old rookie. It was only months earlier that Kane was the No. 1 pick in that particular.
Kane made the rare jump from the draft right into the NHL, but the Blackhawks thought the Buffalo native could be something special despite just one season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (juniors).
Chicago management was right. Kane ended up winning the Calder Trophy by totaling 21 goals and 72 points in 82 games. He edged out teammate Jonathan Toews and Nicklas Backstrom of the Capitals.
While Kane is ready to headline a spectacular group of sophomores, the next rookie class is knocking at the door for their chance at NHL stardom.
The 2005-06 class was something else. Headline by Alex Ovechkin (106 points) and Sidney Crosby (102), 53 rookies managed 20 or more points. The last two rookie classes combined had just 45 players reach that feat.
The 2008-09 rookie crop could be ready to rival '05-06 thanks to some attrition via the newly formed Continental Hockey League (Russia). Although we don't foresee any Ovechkin or Crosby-like impacts in '08-09, there is still plenty of talent brewing for Fantasy owners.
Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay: The 18-year-old Canadian headlines this year's rookie pool. He was the No. 1 overall pick in 2008 and Tampa Bay already has him penciled in as the team's second-line center behind Vincent Lecavalier. Stamkos is a team player that possesses great speed, quick hands and great hockey sense. Stamkos had 92 points (42 goals) in 2006-07 with Sarnia (OHL) and followed that up with 105 points (58 goals) in 2007-08. Stamkos is a solid middle-round pick in all seasonal Fantasy formats.
Kyle Okposo, RW, N.Y. Islanders: Okposo made headlines in '07-08 when the Islanders abruptly ripped their 2006 first-round pick out of school at Minnesota and placed him with Bridgeport (AHL). Okposo had 28 points (nine goals) in 35 games with the Sound Tigers before the Islanders gave him a late-season look. Okposo had five points (two goals) in nine games with New York and should be a consistent top-six forward in '08-09. Okposo is being compared to Jarome Iginla and is good competition for Stamkos in the Rookie of the Year race. Consider Okposo a decent middle-to-late round Fantasy pick.
Kyle Turris, C, Phoenix: Turris, the No. 3 overall pick in '07, spent just one season at Wisconsin before leaving the college ranks. Turris, who had 35 points in 38 games with the Badgers, signed late in the '07-08 season, but still made his NHL debut. He had just one assist and a minus-5 rating in three games, but the future is now for Turris as he will open the season as Phoenix's second-line center behind Olli Jokinen. The 19-year-old center added 10 pounds in the offseason and is primed to make an impact as a rookie. Consider him a decent middle-to-late round sleeper.
T.J. Oshie , C, St. Louis: The Blues finally got Oshie under contract in the offseason after drafting him in the 2005 first round. Oshie spent the last three seasons with the University of North Dakota, where he totaled 142 points (59 goals) in 128 games. The expectations are for Oshie to break camp with the Blues, possibly as a right winger. The future holds an eventual move to center. Oshie is lauded for being a proficient playmaker with excellent puck skills and solid skating skills. He projects as a good long-term Fantasy keeper, but is nothing more than a late-round sleeper in seasonal leagues if he breaks camp with St. Louis.
Claude Giroux, RW, Philadelphia: After a very successful junior career, Giroux could be ready to make the jump to the NHL. He had a small taste of the NHL for two games last season and will look for a full-time gig coming out of training camp. He never had less than 100 points in his three seasons with Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL). The knock on Giroux is that he is a bit small at 5-11, 172 pounds, but he possesses excellent vision and skating skills, and does a great job at both ends of the ice. Giroux remains a solid long-term keeper and possible late-round flier in larger seasonal formats, if it looks as though he will break camp with the Flyers.
Shawn Matthias, C, Florida: Matthias is not a first-round prospect, but he is an intriguing youngster. He also had a small taste of NHL life in '07-08 when he appeared in four games, but really dazzled everyone when he put two goals on the board in his second NHL game. The 6-4, 205-pound forward really revved his game up with the Belleville Bulls (OHL). He totaled 70-plus points the last two seasons, with a career-high 79 (32 goals) in '07-08. Matthias projects as top-six forward and has a chance to break camp with Florida. Consider him a solid long-term keeper and possible late-round flier in deeper leagues.
Mikkel Boedker, LW, Phoenix: The Coyotes are having a bit of a youth movement and it won't be surprising if the 18-year-old Boedker makes the roster out of camp. The 5-11, 195-pound Denmark native was the team's first-round pick (eighth overall) in '08. He totaled 29 goals and 44 assists in 62 regular-season games with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) last season. He took his play to another level in the playoffs with 35 points (nine goals) in 20 games. Boedker is praised for being a speedy skater with excellent puck pursuit, outstanding shot and quick release. He is more of a scorer than passer and projects as a top-six forward, which could come as soon as '08-09. Boedker is a great long-term Fantasy keeper and possible late-round flier in seasonal formats.
Brandon Sutter, C, Carolina: The Hurricanes plan to open the season with Sutter centering the fourth line. The 6-2, 180-pound forward was the 11th overall selection in 2007. Sutter is the son of Devils coach Brent and the ninth member in his family to be drafted in the NHL. The hockey bloodlines run deep. Sutter is applauded for his great work ethic and being a versatile forward. Consider him a late-round flier and possible sleeper pick in deeper Fantasy leagues.
Bobby Ryan, RW, Anaheim: Ryan keeps his Calder Trophy status heading into '08-09 as he played in just 23 games last season with Anaheim. Ryan, the No. 2 overall pick in 2005, came on late in '07-08 as he tallied five points (two goals) in his last five games. The Ducks are ready to turn him loose in 2008-09 for his first full season in the NHL. Ryan could end up being a second-line winger, but might be stuck on the lower lines to begin the season. Ryan is a great long-term keeper and possible sleeper pick in larger Fantasy formats.
Jakub Voracek, RW, Columbus: The Blue Jackets sent Voracek back to the QMJHL last season after they made him the No. 7 pick in the '07 draft. It was a smart move as Voracek totaled 101 points (33 goals) for Halifax and has his confidence soaring. Columbus needs help on the right wing and Voracek could be a solution out of the gate. The 6-2, 190-pound winger is an explosive skater with solid offensive skills. He prefers passing to scoring, but isn't afraid to take a rip on net when necessary. Voracek is a solid long-term keeper and possible late-round flier in larger seasonal formats.
Teddy Purcell, RW, Los Angeles: Purcell, an undrafted free agent, took the AHL by storm in '07-08. Purcell, who left the University of Maine after one season, scored 25 goals and added 58 assists in 67 games with the Manchester Monarchs. He made so much noise in the AHL, the Kings decided to bring him up twice last season. He scored one goal, added two assists and finished at plus-2 in 10 games. Purcell was a virtual unknown when he signed with the Kings, but has since created a reputation for himself as a tall, lanky forward with solid playmaking skills. Los Angeles is depleted on the right side of the ice heading into the season and there is an excellent chance for Purcell to be a top-six forward. Consider him nothing more than a Fantasy sleeper.
Fabian Brunnstrom, W, Dallas: The Stars won the bidding war for the 23-year-old Brunnstrom. He emerged as one of the Swedish Elite League's top wingers in '07-08 as he managed 37 points (nine goals) in 54 games. Brunnstrom is being compared to a poor man's Marian Hossa. He is an all-around offensive threat with good speed and is a creative playmaker. He has a hard shot and potential to score goals, but he needs to prove he can handle the rigors of the NHL or he could start the season in the AHL. Brunnstrom could end up being a late-round flier in larger seasonal formats.
Karl Alzner, D, Washington: Alzner, Washington's first-round pick in '07, is hoping to make the jump to the NHL this season after spending the last four seasons with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL). The 6-2, 210-pound defenseman is coming off another successful season, totaling 36 points (seven goals) in 60 games. He averaged more than 30 minutes per game while winning WHL Player and Defenseman of the Year honors. The Capitals are in love with Alzner's skills on defense and applaud him for his developing offensive skills. Alzner is a solid long-term Fantasy keeper, but only worth a look in the deepest of seasonal formats.
Cody Franson, D, Nashville: Franson is a worker. He was not a highly-touted prospect when Nashville selected him in the third round of the 2005 draft, but he has since worked his way to the top of the Predators' prospect list. He spent all of last season with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and totaled 36 points (11 goals) in 76 games. Franson has the frame to compete on the NHL level, and has decent skating and offensive skills. Consider Franson a long-term Fantasy keeper.
Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles: The second pick in the '08 draft behind Stamkos, Doughty is making it a point to break camp with the Kings. They could use the help since Los Angeles is a bit thin on the blue line. It's an uphill battle for Doughty since not many 18 year olds play a full season in the NHL. The last 18-year-old defenseman to play a full NHL season was Florida's Jay Bouwmeester (2002-03). Doughty was considered the most NHL-ready defenseman in this year's draft class. He is definitely worth a look in all long-term keeper leagues, but seasonal league owners might only want to view Doughty as a possible late-round sleeper.
Zach Bogosian, D, Atlanta: While most people viewed Doughty as the most prepped defenseman in this year's draft class, the Thrashers think the world of Bogosian, who was taken one pick behind Doughty. Bogosian checks in at 6-2, 197 pounds, but Atlanta management calls him a "man-child." He is the most anticipated prospect in Atlanta since Dany Heatley or Ilya Kovalchuk. Bogosian had 61 points (11 goals) with Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League (juniors) last season. Again, however, we're dealing with an 18-year-old who has a lot of maturing to do. Bogosian is in the same boat as Doughty -- a solid long-term keeper and possible late-round sleeper in larger Fantasy formats.
Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville: The Predators cleared the way for Rinne to backup Dan Ellis in '08-09 when they traded Chris Mason on draft night. Rinne, a 2004 8th round selection, has spent the last three seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and has plenty of pro experience. He is a safety net for the Predators, in case Ellis can't live up to his solid rookie campaign of '07-08. Rinne is worth a look as a No. 3 Fantasy goalie and handcuff option for Ellis.
Tobias Stephan, G, Dallas: The 24-year-old goalie has played in just one NHL game since being the Stars' second-round pick in 2002. That's all about to change in '08-09 as he is in the driver's seat to backup Marty Turco. Stephan has spent a majority of the last two seasons with the Iowa Stars (AHL). He played in 60 games last season, going 27-25-2 with a 2.65 GAA and .910 save percentage. View Stephan as a No. 3 Fantasy goalie or flier in leagues that use average points per game. He is also a good handcuff for Turco owners.
Jonathan Bernier, G, Los Angeles: The Kings are pretty much expected to finish near the bottom of the league in '08-09 and fans want to see Bernier in net if this season is already going to be a wash. The Kings tried to ease Bernier, the No. 11 pick in 2006, in last season, but he struggled out of the gate and L.A. sent him back to the QMJHL (juniors). Bernier has the most long-term potential out of the Kings' goalie options, but Jason LaBarbera is expected to open the season in net. Bernier remains more of a long-term keeper, but someone to keep tabs on.
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