
Here are some young guns that you might have forgotten about while drooling over the 18 and 19 year-old flashy, top picks:
Colin Wilson
LW, Nashville Predators
The 23-year-old Wilson started off last season on fire with 19 points in the first 25 games before a serious shoulder injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. The former 7th overall pick from 2008 will be relied on heavily to produce and should see plenty of powerplay time. We're looking for Wilson to score 20 to 25 goals this season and chip in with 55ish points.
The 21-year-old is a natural goal scorer and scored 107 goals during his last 2 years of junior hockey playing for the Ottawa 67's. That goal scoring carried on into the AHL last year as Toffoli put up 28 goals in just 58 games with the Manchester Monarchs before getting the call up to the Kings. During his time with the Kings, Toffoli put up 11 points in 22 games between the regular season and playoffs. Look for Toffoli to score 20-25 goals and 40 points even if his minutes are limited to the 3rd line.
Silfverberg will be turning 23 once the season gets underway and after having a solid rookie season last year with the Ottawa Senators he was shipped off to Anaheim in the Bobby Ryan trade this summer. Look for Silfverberg to score 20+ goals and 40 points, but if he ends up playing with the bald eagle his points total could creep to the high 50s.
The former 5th overall pick back in 2009 should take the next step in his career and become more of a go-to-guy this season for the Flyers. Last season he scored just 8 goals, but did manage 26 points in 47 games for just slightly over a half a point/game. Look for Schenn to score 20 goals and 50 points this season either playing wing or centre and earning 2nd line minutes.
The 24-year-old Atkinson might only be 5'7", but the little waterbug certainly knows how to find the back of the net. The Yank was a solid NCAA goal scorer notching 30 goals twice with Boston College and the past 2 AHL seasons he has scored 46 goals in 84 games. and last season in the NHL he scored 9 goals and 18 points in just 35 games. With a full season of development and possibly better linemates in the picture he will definitely improve on his 9 goals in 35 games last season. We can see the shifty Atkinson scoring 25 goals this season with the Blue Jackets.
Tyler Toffoli
RW, Los Angeles KingsThe 21-year-old is a natural goal scorer and scored 107 goals during his last 2 years of junior hockey playing for the Ottawa 67's. That goal scoring carried on into the AHL last year as Toffoli put up 28 goals in just 58 games with the Manchester Monarchs before getting the call up to the Kings. During his time with the Kings, Toffoli put up 11 points in 22 games between the regular season and playoffs. Look for Toffoli to score 20-25 goals and 40 points even if his minutes are limited to the 3rd line.
Jakob Silfverberg
RW, Anaheim DucksSilfverberg will be turning 23 once the season gets underway and after having a solid rookie season last year with the Ottawa Senators he was shipped off to Anaheim in the Bobby Ryan trade this summer. Look for Silfverberg to score 20+ goals and 40 points, but if he ends up playing with the bald eagle his points total could creep to the high 50s.
Brayden Schenn
LW/C Philadelphia FlyersThe former 5th overall pick back in 2009 should take the next step in his career and become more of a go-to-guy this season for the Flyers. Last season he scored just 8 goals, but did manage 26 points in 47 games for just slightly over a half a point/game. Look for Schenn to score 20 goals and 50 points this season either playing wing or centre and earning 2nd line minutes.
Cam Atkinson
RW, Columbus Blue JacketsThe 24-year-old Atkinson might only be 5'7", but the little waterbug certainly knows how to find the back of the net. The Yank was a solid NCAA goal scorer notching 30 goals twice with Boston College and the past 2 AHL seasons he has scored 46 goals in 84 games. and last season in the NHL he scored 9 goals and 18 points in just 35 games. With a full season of development and possibly better linemates in the picture he will definitely improve on his 9 goals in 35 games last season. We can see the shifty Atkinson scoring 25 goals this season with the Blue Jackets.
Emerson Etem
LW, Anaheim DucksEtem didn't blow anyone away last season with his 3 goals and 10 points in 38 games, but just like Silfverberg there has been talk of first line minutes with Getzlaf and Perry. At just 21 and 2 years removed from a 61-goal season in junior hockey it wouldn't shock anyone if Etem put up 20 plus goals and 35-40 points this year. The kid can definitely fill the net if given the opportunity.
Toffoli is a nice grab for sure, I also think that Brandon Saad might be available in the later rounds and he could be a nice sleeper pick for 20g and 40p along with Brett Connolly and Boone Jenner if they both crack their line-ups.
ReplyDeleteCan you stop writing posts like this… 4 of these guys are on my sleeper list and if they go early I am blaming you guys:)
ReplyDeleteColin Wilson is my boyyy
ReplyDeletebrandon pirri could get a chance as 2nd line centre
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