Darkhorse prospects to have a great NHL career?

[Sevanston]

Prospects are essentially a betting game. You never know what will happen to an undrafted player that will turn them into an NHL all-star, or which lottery picks will never make the NHL to start with.

There are certainly some guys that are just constantly overlooked, but you can just feel in your bones that they'll turn out to be spectacular. Who are these players, and why do you think they're going to turn heads in a few years?

I'll start this off by rolling with Nick Mattson. He's never really impressed anyone at big prospect showings, but he won USHL Defenseman of the Year this year, and is headed to play for the Fighting Sioux next season to refine his game. UND, with its great hockey program and having just lost three of their premier dmen, will be exactly what Mattson needs to take his game from great amateur to great pro.

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[DeltaSwede]

Benjamin Conz

 

[Lapa]

Jani Lajunen. He was awesome in WC.

Edit: Possibly his brother, Ville Lajunen.

 

[boredmale]

I am not saying he will have a great NHL career or even make the NHL as a regular but from the Islanders Anders Lee has the potential to be a big 30+ goal power forward

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

Teemu Pulkkinen

Slipped enormously in the draft then got selected by Detroit. They'll take their time with him and bring him over at the right time to start his NHL career.

 

[bottomofthefoodchain]

Johan Larsson

 

[Kingsfan1]

Brandon Kozun


6th Rounder, doesn't get much love because of his size but kid plays with heart and brings it his all every shift.


Had 23 or so goals in the AHL his first year. I can see him making the Kings this year or next.

 

[The Kremelin Wall*]

Brendan Gallagher mayhap.

 

[EK65IsAGod]

Mark Stone?

 

[Yitz]

Anders Lee.

 

[BacklundtoBartschi*]

TJ Brodie, even wore 66 in pre-season.

 

[The Fuhr*]

Jani Lajunen. He was awesome in WC.

A PJ Axelsson type perhaps? He looked good

From the Sens Derek Grant

 

[Darrelle Lundqvist]

Jesper Fasth NYR, and Kenny Agostino PIT.

 

[magic school bus]

Tommy Wingels, SJS.

he's been one of my favorite Sharks prospects for a while. made the team out of camp last year, and played a few games in Europe (for the NHL opening). not much to go off of, but i have a good feeling about him.

 

[Rumcajs]

Darren Kramer and Mark Stone.

 

[QMJHLfollower]

From the QMJHL, I'd say Jean-Francois Leblanc and Maxime Villemaire.

J-F Leblanc went undrafted this year, and I was very surprised. He's very complete. Big, good two-way game, etc. He just need to work his skating. If he improve it, he should be a decent third line center in the NHL.

Maxime Villemaire went undrafted too, but he's invited to the St. Louis Blues camp. Big, very physical, good fighter, good defensively, decent skill aswell. Can play both center and wing. Could make a solid fourth liner in the NHL.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Sondre Olden


he's a boss

 

[niroopg*]

Matt Frattin

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Matt Frattin

i wouldnt call him a darkhorse anymore, he's next in line for a roster spot along with Kadri


but yea, hes going to be a beast

 

[Soundgarden]

Nashville's Craig Smith(4th round '09) has been getting some major props from the preds management and just signed a pro contract a few weeks ago.

 

[nobuddy]

Winnipeg's Ivan Telegin.

From the Canes, Victor Rask.

 

[Vaclav Varada]

Mark Borowiecki. The Sens brass love his game. While he'll never wow you with his offence, if all the stars align for him I could see him being a good 2nd pairing stay at home defenceman. If not i see him being a very good bottom pairing dman.

 

[ComradeChris]

Alexei Marchenko from the Detroit Red Wings. Drafted in the 7th round. He is a Russian and I've heard comparisons of him and Konstantinov. Just depends if he wants to come to NA.

 

[Sore Loser]

Calvin Pickard

Mark my words.

 

[AidanPhalen13*]

Tom Kuhnhackl and Kenny Agostino