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Future Watch 2015
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
WAITING GAMES
C+ | RANK 25 THE QUICK-TRANSITION HAWKS like to blitz opponents on counter attacks. But when it comes to player development, talent-rich Chicago isn’t in or on any odd-man rush. The Blackhawks have drafted well for a team in the upper echelon, but most of their top players are entering their primes. That’s why 2010 first-rounder Kevin Hayes resisted signing with Chicago and chose free agency instead. GM Stan Bowman says the Blackhawks pursue talent with an eye on keeping their up-tempo machine running. “We’ve had a certain style that’s worked for us and we’re going to continue to play that way,” he said. 1 TEUVO TERAVAINEN C, 20, 5-11, 178 Rockford (AHL) 39-6-19-25-6 2012 draft, 18th overall OVERALL 9 The Finnish center was recalled from Rockford Jan. 2 after Kris Versteeg suffered an injury. Teravainen didn’t jump into…
SUTTER’S L.A. STYLE
C– | RANK 29 OVER THE PAST THREE SEASONS, GM-president Dean Lombardi and coach Darryl Sutter have managed to integrate homegrown players such as Dwight King, Jordan Nolan, Jake Muzzin, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson into the lineup while winning two Stanley Cups. The Kings draft and sign players who fit Sutter’s relentless style and have them play that way while being developed. L.A. places a premium on size and durability, spanning the globe to find players who fit that template: four of their top 10 prospects hail from the U.S., three are from Europe and three more are natives of Canada. 1 ADRIAN KEMPE LW, 18, 6-2, 187 Modo (Swe.) 45-4-12-16-34 2014 draft, 29th overall OVERALL 45 A strong skating Swede who hails from the same hometown as Peter Forsberg. “He can really skate,” said Kings director of…
HOMELAND SECURITY
C+ RANK 26 HOWEVER YOU DESCRIBE THE SAN Jose Sharks’ master plan – refresh and reset? Rebuild? – GM Doug Wilson has been consistent in this message: Prospects are the priority. The Sharks have shipped six veterans out for 10 draft picks in a flurry of trades dating back to March, 2013. They’ve also had success signing undrafted free agents such as the surprising Swedish winger Melker Karlsson. The emphasis on development meshes well with the relocation of their AHL affiliate from Worcester to San Jose. “It was a piece of the puzzle that’s important,” Wilson said. “Where we are in that cycle, it really helps.” 1 NIKOLAY GOLDOBIN RW, 19, 6-0, 185 HIFK (Fin.) 30-8-9-17-6 2014 draft, 27th overall OVERALL 70 The Sharks liked Goldobin’s offensive potential and hockey smarts when they drafted him, and his play for…
MEET THE NEXT TEEMU SELANNE
SNEAK PEEK 2016 DRAFT READ THESE FIVE attributes of a Finnish player and then decide who it describes: 1) He is big; 2) He shoots right; 3) He loves scoring goals; 4) He always smiles; 5) He isn’t retired from the NHL. The fifth is mandatory. Otherwise everyone would say, “Teemu Selanne.” The player in question isn’t the ‘Finnish Flash,’ but he is the next Finnish goal-scoring machine. He’s 16-year-old Jesse Puljujarvi, the youngest member of Finland’s world junior team and the hottest prospect Finland – and all of Europe – has to offer for the 2016 NHL draft. Puljujarvi has already dominated the under-18 and under-20 leagues in Finland. This season he made his debut in the SM-liiga and scored his first professional goal in his third game. His club, Karpat, is the…
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