5 Unexpectedly Rising NHL Stars
From the undrafted, Hart Trophy winning Martin St. Louis to the dynamic, power-forward that is Jamie Benn, the NHL is filled with players who “beat the odds”, so to speak to become more than their draft ranking suggested they would be.
For most teams, it’s easy to pick a Patrick Kane or a John Tavares first overall (well, except the Oilers apparently), and first round picks who fail to reach the NHL are becoming increasingly rare.
That makes finding players who blossom into stars in the fourth round or later all the more valuable.
The Detroit Red Wings have basically built an entire organization on late-round picks. Henrik Zetterberg (7th), Pavel Datsyuk (6th), Jonathan Ericsson (9th), Tomas Holmstrom (10th) and even former MVP Sergei Fedorov (4th) were all drafted late.
So who is part of the next wave of late-round picks who are unexpectedly rising NHL stars?
TJ Brodie, Defense, Calgary Flames, drafted 4th round, 114th overall in 2008
Now in his fourth full NHL season, TJ Brodie has rocketed up the Calgary Flames’ depth chart and now finds himself on the top pairing with Mark Giordano.
In 2013-14, he posted 31 points in over 24 minutes played per game and was the Flames’ only defenseman other than Giordano not to be a negative +/- player.
He’s drawn some comparisons to reigning Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith, and deservedly so. Brodie skates really well, and at 23 years old, each posted a 31-point campaign with similar numbers across the board.
With seven points in his first seven games this year, look for Brodie to take the next step in his development and become a bona fide top-pairing defenseman in the NHL.
Apr 11, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Mike Komisarek (5) slides on the ice to block the passing lane of Detroit Red Wings Gustav Nyquist (14) in the first period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Gustav Nyquist, Right Wing, Detroit Red Wings, drafted 4th round, 121st overall in 2008
With all the Red Wings’ injury issues last season, someone had to step up and be a go-to guy offensively. That someone was Gustav Nyquist.
He finished 6th in the NHL with 0.49 goals-per-game, ahead of names such as Phil Kessel, Sidney Crosby, John Tavares and Jamie Benn.
He’s one of the league’s fastest players and has a ton of offensive weapons at his disposal. He’s a slick puck handler, can make moves at top speed and is a very good playmaker.
Even with the team starting the season with a relatively healthy lineup, Nyquist has picked up exactly where he left off with four goals in his first five games.
Mar 29, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save during the first period against the Boston Bruins at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Braden Holtby, Goaltender, Washington Capitals, drafted 4th round, 93rd overall in 2008
In 2011-12, the Washington Capitals upset the Boston Bruins in round one of the post-season before bowing out to the New York Rangers in seven games.
Holtby, who had played just seven NHL games all season, was named the playoff starter even though Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth would be available to play.
He didn’t disappoint, putting up a 1.95 goals-against-average and a sparkling .935 save percentage.
He’s struggled somewhat to find that same consistency since, but he has all the tools to be a top-flight goaltender in the NHL as well an improved defense corps in front of him.
He’s on pace for a career year, with a 1.85 GAA and .932 save % in four games so far this season.
October 17, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) blocks a shot against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Frederik Andersen, Goaltender, Anaheim Ducks, originally drafted 7th round, 187th overall in 2010
Everyone is waiting for John Gibson to grab the starter’s role in Anaheim, but in the meantime all Frederik Andersen keeps doing is winning.
He was originally drafted in the 7th round in 2010 by the Carolina Hurricanes but they didn’t sign him, he re-entered the draft and was taken in the 3rd round, 87th overall by the Ducks.
In his first NHL season, he went 20-5-0 with a .923 save percentage and 2.29 goals-against-average and was a big reason why a contending team like the Ducks was so comfortable letting a player of Jonas Hiller’s calibre go.
He made history this past weekend, becoming the second goaltender in NHL history to win 25 or more of his first 30 career starts.
While most fans focus on when Gibson will become the next Vezina Trophy candidate, Andersen may already be on his way there this season with a 5-0-0 record, 1.38 GAA and .950 save % so far.
Sami Vatanen, Defense, Anaheim Ducks, drafted 4th round, 106th overall in 2009
We close out our list with another Anaheim Duck, Sami Vatanen. The 23 year-old Finn made quite an impression in his rookie season for the Ducks, finishing third among the team’s defensemen with 21 points despite playing only 48 games.
He showed an excellent ability to run a powerplay, as well as a fairly mature defensive game considering his age and size. He has great offensive acumen and moves the puck very efficiently up the ice, drawing comparisons from some to Brian Rafalski and even Hall-of-Famer Nicklas Lidstrom.
Those are lofty expectations of course, but considering his overall skill set and supporting cast, it’s very possible he’ll grow into a player who can lead the league in scoring among defensemen some day. He already has five points in six games this season.