NHL Training Camp/Preseason: 6 Bold Predictions

NHL Training Camp/Preseason: 6 Bold Predictions (Rookies Looking to Crack Rosters)

NHL Training Camp is just around the corner, and several rookies will be looking to crack the roster for opening night. Now, just because a prospect makes it through the final cuts doesn’t necessarily mean they will stick with club. Organizations typically have a nine-game window to work with before burning a year of a players contract.

You can bet there will be at least a few extra rookies in lineups to start the season. Some of these guys will be sent back to junior, others to the AHL; and what’s left usually consists of a few unexpected surprises.

We’ve made six bold predictions below regarding prospects we believe can make the NHL jump a little earlier than anticipated.

NHL Training Camp: 6 Bold Predictions

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Matthew Tkachuk poses for a photo after being selected as the number six overall draft pick by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Matthew Tkachuk Cracks Flames Opening Night Roster

Not only does the 5th overall pick in 2016 have a chance to crack the opening night roster, but he also has the size and skill-set to stick with the team and be a productive player in year one.

If he does indeed stick with Calgary for the year, pencil his name into Calder Trophy nominees.

Michael Dal Colle and Mathew Barzal Impress at Islanders Training Camp, Begin the Year in Brooklyn

Call it a mix of confidence in these two players, coupled with concern over a lack of talent on the big club. Truth be told, it shouldn’t be overly difficult for Dal Colle or Barzal to outplay the current competition in the Islanders organization.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to give Dal Colle a little extra time with John Tavares in preseason to see if the pair can generate chemistry (not sure that Andrew Ladd is the right fit).

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Timo Meier puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Nikolay Goldobin and Timo Meier Make a Few Veterans Expendable in San Jose as the Pair Prove NHL Ready

The addition of Mikkel Boedker already helps make the Sharks a deeper team up front. Couple that with the potential addition of prospects Nikolay Goldobin and Timo Meier, it may open a door for GM Doug Wilson to trade a Tommy Wingels-type player to address another weakness without sacrificing any offense.

Ivan Barbashev Challenges for a Roster Spot in St.Louis, Creates Intriguing Internal Competition in the Final Round of Cuts

More from Puck Prose

Truth be told, Ivan struggled to adjust to the pro-style game in his AHL rookie season. He posted 10 goals (28 points) in 65 games, hardly a stat line that would suggest he’s at all close to being NHL ready.

This young man is simply too talented to put up a similar performance in his sophomore campaign. Barbashev is one of those players that can completely take over a game in the offensive zone, and he may be closer to making his NHL debut than fans might think.

He should make training camp decisions difficult, and could dominate the AHL in 2016-17, and receive a few injury replacement call-ups.

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Mitchell Marner puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Mitch Marner Impresses, Sticks Around to Begin the Year in Toronto

When you look at Marner’s resume from last season, it’s difficult to imagine a player of that stature not making the jump to the NHL level. It’s even more farfetched picturing him re-joining OHL London to post what, 200 points?

Barring a horrific training camp, expect the Maple Leafs to make room for Mitch Marner.

Next: Top 20 Players Under 20 Years of Age

Olli Juolevi is Given a 9-Game Try-Out to Start the Season in Vancouver

Some Canucks fans were upset that GM Jim Benning opted for Finnish defender Olli Juolevi opposed to Matthew Tkachuk. That disappointment should quickly be erased once fans get a look at their future number one defenseman. Heck, if Rasmus Ristolainen was able to step into the Sabres lineup in his first year of eligibility, certainly Olli Juolevi can – scouts will even tell you how far ahead Juolevi is from Ristolainen at that age.

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