NHL Franchise Boys

The 2014 NHL Entry Draft is set for this coming June in Philadelphia. There are several players that could emerge as top-10 selections but these are the early favorites to go among the top picks.… 

1. Sam Reinhart, C/RW, Kootenay Ice (WHL) 
There is much to like about this CHL scoring star, but Reinhart’s best attributes are his low-maintenance profile, versatility up front and family pedigree. He’s also a highly skilled playmaker who may produce big NHL numbers.

2. Aaron Ekblad, D, Barrie Colts (OHL)
A lot like Seth Jones in 2013, Ekblad seems destined to play in the NHL immediately. He’s similar to Jones in other ways, too: right-handed shot, big body, great skater, can play in all situations. He may go first overall.

3. Michael Dal Colle, LW/C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Quick, lanky and supremely skilled, Dal Colle is enjoying a great second season with the Generals in 2013-14. While he can play center, he profiles better as a darting offensive winger who can create his own offense.

4. Sam Bennett, C/LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
A highly skilled, highly competitive player, he never backs down when challenged on the ice. Bennett is also a very good offensive weapon and natural leader. He is Kingston’s top scorer and also a very good two-way player.

5. Leon Draisaitl, C, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Despite a rough WJC tournament for Germany earlier this season, Draisaitl is one of the top offensive prospects this year. He has NHL size and playmaking skills, and he also plays the game with a lot of passion.

6. Haydn Fleury, D, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Fleury’s offensive production has really come to life in his second WHL campaign with Red Deer in 2013-14. However, it is his shutdown ability and poise that have scouts raving. He could play in the NHL next year.

7. Nick Ritchie, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
A prototypical power forward with very good hands, Ritchie has a chance to become a rare commodity in today’s NHL: a skilled top-six winger who can also protect skilled linemates. He’s also a presence in front of the net.

8. Nikolay Goldobin, RW, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
A supremely gifted scorer, Goldobin leads the Sting in most offensive categories this season. He plays a prototypical Russian style (left-shooting right-winger), but his early North American experience should help him. 

9. Ivan Barbashev, C/LW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
The heart and soul of the Wildcats the last two seasons, Barbashev excels at the two-way game. However, he is also a capable playmaker who generally makes his teammates better whenever he’s on the ice. He’s just solid.

10. William Nylander, C/W, Sodertalje SK (Swedish Allsvenskan)
The son of former NHL center Michael Nylander hopes to follow in his dad’s footsteps one day. Nylander has played for three different Swedish teams this season, in both the SHL and Allsvenskan. He’s a few years away.

Heading into the Olympic break, most of the top rookies in the NHL will get a unique cooling-off period, where they can assess their performances to date and get some bonus rest before heading into the home stretch. Some even made the cut for Sochi, including Valeri Nichushkin, Aleksander Barkov, Ondrej Palat, Radko Gudas and Olli Maatta. So they won’t get rest, but won’t be complaining, either. Here’s a look at the top candidates for rookie of the year in the NHL.

1. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

The first overall pick from this summer is in steamroller mode, riding a seven-game point streak that has seen his lead in the NHL rookie scoring race increase over Tampa’s Tyler Johnson. MacKinnon now has 21 goals and 43 points through 57 games.

2. Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning

Playing on the Bolts’ top line with fellow freshman Ondrej Palat and veteran Martin St-Louis, Johnson has been logging big minutes lately and continues to put points on the board. The pivot is also a threat short-handed.

3. Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning

Though he made his name as a skilled winger, Palat can be very responsible defensively too. That diversity is good to see, though it’s hard to ignore the way he has shot up the scoring charts and is now just four points behind linemate Johnson with 32 in 57 games.

4. Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets

The confidence Trouba has in his game right now is obvious when you watch him, as well it should be: This is a strong young man with some nice offensive instincts, even though he’s better known on the back end as a physical D-man. Trouba’s average ice time of 21:46 leads all rookies.

5. Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks

Playing on the Ducks’ top pairing with Francois Beauchemin, Lindholm has continued to impress as a two-way blueliner and has played more than 23 minutes in two of his past three games. Otherwise, he still leads all rookies with a plus-23 rating.

6. Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames

Though he recovered from a foot injury a while ago, Monahan only recently got his groove back offensively and now has four points in his past five games. Given that the Flames will be sellers at the trade deadline, he will likely get even more responsibility on the squad.

7. Olli Maatta, Pittsburgh Penguins

With the news that Kris Letang is beginning his recovery from a stroke, Maatta will be counted on even more by the Pens once he returns from Sochi. The big Finn has two points in his past five games and should expect even more ice time after the Olympics.

8. Torey Krug, Boston Bruins

Still the defensive leader in points by a rookie, Krug has 31 through 56 games for the Bruins and has picked up the pace recently after a bit of a slump in December. According to his CORSI rating, the B’s are most active offensively when he’s patrolling the back end.

9. Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets

The Jets have maintained their hotness under new coach Paul Maurice and Scheifele continues to play well, with three points in his past five games. He’s now tied for third among freshman scorers with 32 points in 59 appearances.

10. Chris Kreider, New York Rangers

Kreider has gone cold, failing to score a point in his past six games. But he’s still playing on New York’s top line and leads the team in CORSI among regular skaters. His 30 points in 51 games ranks third among Calder hopefuls.