Okay, so I'm a little behind the times... 
1) Jack Johnson - The freshman defenseman has been scoring at a point-per-game pace for the University of Michigan. In addition, J.J. was a prime attraction at the WJCs, where he was named to the all-tourney team.
2) Niklas Kronwall - Kronwall just recently returned to the Detroit Red Wings lineup and hopes to have put his injury troubles behind him. Last spring, Kronwall was named to the all-tourney team at the World Championships. Was initially named to Sweden's Olympic team.
3) Mike Cammalleri - After leading the AHL in goals last season, "Squid" has finally earned the trust of Andy Murray and is among the LA Kings scoring leaders. Figures to play a regular shift on a scoring line in the HFNHL next season. Whether it will be as a center or as a wing remains to be seen.
4) Petteri Nokelainen - Nokelainen followed up his draft year with a very successful 15-goal campaign for a lousy SaiPa team. Came over to North America for the 2005-06 season, and impressed so much in camp with his two-way game that he found himself centering the New York Islanders' fourth line.
5) Tomas Plekanec - The heady forward continues to outperform most people's expectations. Not as flashy as Alex Perezhogin, not as hyped as Chris Higgins, Plekanec just gets the job done. Versatile - can play on the PP or the PK, can play center or wing.
6) Jason Pominville - Started off the season as the odd man out on a team loaded with right wings. Proceeded to score a goal-a-game in the AHL. Injuries led to Pominville's eventual call-up, and he hasn't looked back since, generally outplaying fellow rookie Thomas Vanek.
7) Dennis Seidenberg - Once again, Seidenberg will play a prominent role on the German blueline at the Olympics. Injuries repeatedly prevented Seidenberg from finding a home on the Philadelphia Flyers defense, but he now appears to be settling into his game with the Phoenix Coyotes.
8) Richard Petiot - The first-year pro has been racking up the frequent flyer miles this season. Although he has only seen action in two NHL games, Petiot has been the first choice call-up for the Kings whenver they've had an injury on defense. Petiot has made the 3,000-mile trip from Manchester, NH to Los Angeles four times so far.
9) Perttu Lindgren - Put in a decent performance at this year's WJCs. Looks to be the odds-on favorite for the SM-Liiga's rookie of the year award, with 24 points in 41 games for Ilves. At 18, Lindgren is scoring at a better pace in the SM-Liiga than most of his contemporaries - including Tuomo Ruutu. I'm just saying.
10) Kevin Porter - Captained Team USA at this year's WJCs, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. All kidding aside, Porter appears have the work ethic and the two-way game to succeed at the NHL level. He has also shown a surprising amount of scoring touch this season, leading the Michigan Wolverines in goals.
1) Jack Johnson - The freshman defenseman has been scoring at a point-per-game pace for the University of Michigan. In addition, J.J. was a prime attraction at the WJCs, where he was named to the all-tourney team.
2) Niklas Kronwall - Kronwall just recently returned to the Detroit Red Wings lineup and hopes to have put his injury troubles behind him. Last spring, Kronwall was named to the all-tourney team at the World Championships. Was initially named to Sweden's Olympic team.
3) Mike Cammalleri - After leading the AHL in goals last season, "Squid" has finally earned the trust of Andy Murray and is among the LA Kings scoring leaders. Figures to play a regular shift on a scoring line in the HFNHL next season. Whether it will be as a center or as a wing remains to be seen.
4) Petteri Nokelainen - Nokelainen followed up his draft year with a very successful 15-goal campaign for a lousy SaiPa team. Came over to North America for the 2005-06 season, and impressed so much in camp with his two-way game that he found himself centering the New York Islanders' fourth line.
5) Tomas Plekanec - The heady forward continues to outperform most people's expectations. Not as flashy as Alex Perezhogin, not as hyped as Chris Higgins, Plekanec just gets the job done. Versatile - can play on the PP or the PK, can play center or wing.
6) Jason Pominville - Started off the season as the odd man out on a team loaded with right wings. Proceeded to score a goal-a-game in the AHL. Injuries led to Pominville's eventual call-up, and he hasn't looked back since, generally outplaying fellow rookie Thomas Vanek.
7) Dennis Seidenberg - Once again, Seidenberg will play a prominent role on the German blueline at the Olympics. Injuries repeatedly prevented Seidenberg from finding a home on the Philadelphia Flyers defense, but he now appears to be settling into his game with the Phoenix Coyotes.
8) Richard Petiot - The first-year pro has been racking up the frequent flyer miles this season. Although he has only seen action in two NHL games, Petiot has been the first choice call-up for the Kings whenver they've had an injury on defense. Petiot has made the 3,000-mile trip from Manchester, NH to Los Angeles four times so far.
9) Perttu Lindgren - Put in a decent performance at this year's WJCs. Looks to be the odds-on favorite for the SM-Liiga's rookie of the year award, with 24 points in 41 games for Ilves. At 18, Lindgren is scoring at a better pace in the SM-Liiga than most of his contemporaries - including Tuomo Ruutu. I'm just saying.
10) Kevin Porter - Captained Team USA at this year's WJCs, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view. All kidding aside, Porter appears have the work ethic and the two-way game to succeed at the NHL level. He has also shown a surprising amount of scoring touch this season, leading the Michigan Wolverines in goals.
