NHL

FOX Sports Exclusive

Ten guys who could have breakout seasons

Share This Story

Spector

At home in Prince Edward Island, Canada, he's known as Lyle Richardson. But around these parts, he's known as Spector, FOXSports.com's Prince of Pucks. Check in with Spector's NHL Blog on Yardbarker.com for NHL rumors and analysis.

MORE>>
 
Updated Aug 31, 2009 4:01 PM ET
     
 
The start of the NHL's 2009-10 season is now only a month away, and with training camps starting up in less than two weeks hockey fans are looking forward to watching their favorite stars in action. Each season also brings about the emergence of new stars. Here's a look at 10 NHL players who could be poised for breakout performances. Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche. Two years ago, Stastny was considered a rising star but a series of injuries over the past two seasons hampered his performance, preventing the 23-year-old from taking his place among the game's elite young stars. With his superb offensive ability, Stastny is the logical heir to retired Avalanche star Joe Sakic and if he can overcome his recent injury woes could be the guy this once-great franchise rebuilds around. Anze Kopitar, L.A. Kings. His 27-goal, 66-point performance last season was down from the 32 goals and 71 points he notched in 2007-08, but experts believe that's attributable to the Kings' emphasis on improving their defensive play. The focus on young Eastern Conference superstar centers like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby means the 22-year-old Kopitar gets overlooked by much of the hockey press, but the 6-4, 221 pound Slovenian has the size and skills to become a big NHL star. This could be the season he comes into his own. Nathan Horton, Florida Panthers. After two straight 62-point performances big things were expected of the 6-2, 229 pound Horton last season, but his production declined to 45 points in 67 games in 2008-09. Injuries contributed to that drop in offense but Horton last season seemed to struggle at times. The Panthers have used him at center and right wing, but he seems more comfortable in the latter role. With the club possessing more depth at center, if Horton has a healthier season his game could significantly improve. Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks. Salary cap issues and slower than expected development kept him buried in the minors, but in 2008-09 Ryan finally got his chance to strut his stuff in 62 games with 31 goals and 57 points. Those figures also led all rookies last season indicating the 22-year-old Ryan is capable of much more. Teaming up with stars Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the Ducks' first line for a full season should considerably boost his numbers. Peter Mueller, Phoenix Coyotes. The recent battles over the Coyotes ownership aside they're loaded with promising young forwards, with Mueller the best of the bunch. After a solid 54-point rookie campaign in 2007-08 Mueller had a disappointing follow-up with only 36 points in 72 games. Mueller can play right wing, but he's a natural center and will likely start this season centering the Coyotes' second line. He claims he's fully recovered from a late-season concussion and if he gets back on track has the talent to become a top-line center. Sam Gagner, Edmonton Oilers. His promising 49-point debut in 2007-08 and highlight-reel shootout goals had Oilers fans salivating over Gagner's potential, but his 41-point sophomore performance was a bit of a letdown. At 5-11 and 190, Gagner isn't a big forward but there's no denying his impressive passing skills and offensive instincts. If he and linemates Andrew Cogliano and Robert Nilsson can all bounce back this season it could provide a significant boost to Edmonton's offensive game. Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins. Lucic reminds Bruins fans of beloved Hall of Famer Cam Neely and with 17 goals, 42 points, 136 PIMs and 262 hits last season he appears poised to join the league's top power forwards. The strapping (6-4, 220) 21-year-old has become a fan favorite in Boston. He tends to play with a reckless abandon that at times can result in undisciplined penalties, but proved in last year's playoffs capable of stepping up in big-game situations.
Craig Anderson, Colorado Avalanche. The 28-year-old Anderson's six-year NHL career has been mainly in backup roles. Over the past two seasons with the Panthers however he proved capable of handling the starting job but couldn't dislodge incumbent Tomas Vokoun. Signed by the Avalanche as a free agent, Anderson will finally get his shot this season at being a full-time starting goalie. If he proves himself capable of handling what should be a heavy workload he'll provide the Avs with the quality goaltending they lacked last season. Mike Smith, Tampa Bay Lightning. For most of the first half of last season Smith was the only good thing on the Lightning. His 14 wins accounted for over half the club's total victories last season, while posting an impressive 2.62 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage with two shutouts. He kept the floundering Bolts competitive until a concussion prematurely ended his season. If he's fully recovered from post-concussion symptoms his numbers should improve behind a better Lightning roster. Bryan Little, Atlanta Thrashers. After potting only 16 points in 48 games during his rookie season Little had an impressive sophomore campaign in 2008-09 with 31 goals and 51 points. Critics would suggest he benefitted from playing on superstar Ilya Kovalchuk's line, which he did near the end of last season, but in the first half Little had 19 of his 31 goals playing with Todd White and Slava Kozlov. That indicates he's doing more than riding on Kovalchuk's coattails.
Tagged: Corey Perry, Lightning, Joe Sakic, Oilers, Coyotes, Slava Kozlov, Ducks, Kings, Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Robert Nilsson, Panthers, Tomas Vokoun, Ilya Kovalchuk, Andrew Cogliano, Jets, Ryan Getzlaf, Penguins, Avalanche, Todd White, Bruins

More Stories From Spector

Play Hockey Simulation Game on WhatIfSports


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NHL Videos

Highlights: WAS/NYR Posted: Feb 13, 2012
Watch highlights of the Rangers' 3-2 win over the Capitals.

Panthers dominate Islanders Posted: Feb 13, 2012
Tomas Fleischmann talks with FOX Sports Florida after the Panthers' 4-1 win over...

Highlights: CHI/PHO Posted: Feb 12, 2012
Watch highlights of the Coyotes' 3-0 win over the Blackhawks.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 159.95 Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey
    Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 124.95 Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey
    Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt
    Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack
    Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 159.95 Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey
    Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt
    Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 11.95 Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick
    Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black
    Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft