Which NHL players should fans be keeping an eye on in 2019?
Happy New Year NHL fans! There is still plenty of hockey to be played this season but the New Year gives us a chance to predict the NHL players to watch in 2019.
Will any of the rookies burst through and fulfill their potential? Can anyone struggling to hit form get through it and perform as they should be? This year promises to be a great one for the NHL and so here is a list of players to watch in 2019.
Elias Pettersson
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Elias Pettersson came into the league number 5 overall from the 2017 NBA Draft, meaning that there was a lot of expectation on his young shoulders from the offset. So far, he has coped exceptionally well and looks like one of the best NHL players this season.
The Vancouver Canucks have certainly benefitted from his efforts so far this season, with the rookie chipping in with 19 goals in 36 games played. He has also racked up 20 assists from his time on the ice.
His experience in the Swedish leagues before coming over the NHL has certainly helped this young man deal with pressure and has a winning mentality, becoming the playoff MVP in the process. If he keeps up this form, he will certainly be a candidate for Rookie of the Year so keep an eye on the Swedish star this year.
Alex Ovechkin
The Washington Capitals‘ evergreen legend continues to dominate the NHL. Alex Ovechkin is the league’s current leading scorer with 29 to his name and he’s showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. You’d imagine that teams are wondering how this man can continue to perform at such a high level for as long as he has.
Washington looked set for another run at the playoffs this season and Ovechkin has played a massive role in where they are in the standings right now.
The Great Eight looks like he is still a player to watch in 2019 and will be keen to land another title for the Capitals in June.
Rasmus Dahlin
Sweden has certainly produced some exciting prospects over the last couple of years and Rasmus Dahlin was no exception.
The number 1 overall pick the 2018 NHL draft most certainly be on the list of players to watch in 2019. It’s been a long time since the Buffalo Sabres have reached the playoffs and Dahlin was identified as the man to get them there.
As a defenseman, Dahlin has had his work cut out but Buffalo’s move to sign him look to have paid off so far. The Sabres are challenging for the third automatic place so be sure to see if they are still there in a few months’ time.
If they make the playoffs, Dahlin will be at the heart of it so be sure to on the lookout for the Swede over the coming year.
Andrei Svechnikov
It’s been a difficult start to life in the NHL for Andrei Svechnikov. He was picked number 2 overall in the 2018 NHL Draft for the Carolina Hurricanes but they currently find themselves second from bottom in the Metropolitan Division.
Svechnikov scored 40 goals in 44 games as a junior but hasn’t been able to find the net as often he would like for his new employers, scoring just 11 times from 38 appearances.
The players already mentioned on this list will be looking to continue their great form into the new year and challenging for honors. In Svechnikov’s case, he’ll be hoping to leave the rough patch as soon as possible.
The talent is obviously there. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have convinced the franchise to select him so early on. He’s a player to watch in 2019 because it’ll be interesting to see if he can recapture his form and turn his team’s season around.
Jack Hughes
The fifth and final player to watch this year isn’t in the NHL yet but is making himself known at youth level. Jack Hughes is being tipped as a strong candidate to go number 1 in the 2019 NHL draft.
Part of the reason for this is how well he led Team USA to the title at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge back in November. Hughes has also been posting ridiculous scoring numbers for someone of his age and these performances have not gone unnoticed by NHL scouts.
He has been called up to star for Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship and will be keen to leave his mark on yet another tournament.
The league will be sure to see Hughes line up in a franchise this summer, meaning that it’ll be next season before he is playing on the biggest stage. However, he is certainly one of the main young players to watch in 2019.