Now, general managers must adhere to a league-mandated salary-cap range. Front-office execs try to identify inexpensive players to keep payrolls down. Coaches long to populate their rosters with younger players on cap-friendly, entry-level contracts, who in turn increase the pace of the game.

 

This is the new world of the National Hockey League.

 

Today’s list identifies the league’s 10 best up-and-comers. The criteria that we used in compiling the list are players who are either in their first or second season or will be an NHL player shortly. Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Joe Pavelski are all in their 20s but have graduated from inclusion.

Team: Detroit Red Wings

 

Age: 26

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 37-15-10; .924 save percentage; 2.26 goals-against average

 

Career statistics: 38-20-10; .922 save percentage; 2.32 goals-against average

 

The oldest player on our list took over for a floundering Chris Osgood early last season and proved why the organization held such a strong belief in him. Howard kept the Red Wings in playoff contention while several key skaters recuperated from injuries. Once whole, the Red Wings finished 2009-10 as the Western Conference’s fifth seed, advancing to the second round of the playoffs.   

Team: Philadelphia Flyers

 

Age: 21

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 15-20-35; minus-1; 30 PIM

 

Career statistics: 15-20-35; minus-1; 30 PIM

 

If Jeff Carter and Mike Richards are the mortar that the Flyers are built upon, then Claude Giroux and Van Riemsdyk could be viewed as the frame. A New Jersey native, Van Riemsdyk had an up-and-down rookie year. Van Riemsdyk should skate on Giroux’s line and see increased ice time in all situations.

Team: Buffalo Sabres

 

Age: 20

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 11-37-48; plus-13; 32 PIM

 

Career statistics: 11-37-48; plus-13; 32 PIM

 

NHL executives and coaches covet size and skill. When it comes in a 6-foot-8, 222-pound package, they know they have hit the jackpot. Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff certainly got lucky when Tyler Myers fell to Buffalo in the 2008 entry draft.

 

Myers boasts Zdeno Chara size and the skill of an offensive-minded defenseman. The reigning Calder Trophy winner will be the cornerstone of the Buffalo Sabres’ defense corps for the foreseeable future. 

Team: Boston Bruins

 

Age: 18

 

Final 2009-10 statistics*: 48-58-106; plus-17; 54 PIM

 

Career statistics*: 69-104-173; plus-31; 82 PIM

 

It is tougher to know what Bostonians bemoan more. Was it the Game 7 playoff loss to Philadelphia? Was it blowing a 3-0 series lead to the Flyers? Or was it that the Bruins finished dead last in goal scored?

 

The Bruins’ playoff catastrophe can only be exorcised by beating the Flyers in a future playoff series. GM Peter Chiarelli drafted the high-scoring Seguin in order to improve the organization’s opportunity to beat the Flyers – and other Eastern Conference rivals – while improving the Bruins’ lack of firepower. 

Team: Edmonton Oilers

 

Age: 18

 

Final 2009-10 statistics*: 40-66-106; plus-46; 56 PIM

 

Career statistics*: 123-157-280; plus-115; 138 PIM

 

If there’s one thing Edmonton knows, it is gifted, young scorers. Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, and Jari Kurri, among a litany of scoring stars, donned the blue, white and orange sweater in the City of Champions.

 

Taylor Hall is expected to keep the Oilers’ legacy alive. Hall, who recently signed his rookie contract, joins an Oilers team that was the NHL’s worst in 2009-10.

Team: New York Rangers

 

Age: 20

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 9-28-37; minus-20; 32 PIM

 

Career statistics: 9-28-37; minus-20; 32 PIM

 

New York Rangers fans were spoiled by Brian Leetch for 17 seasons. Then the Original Six franchise’s fanbase went years without a brilliant defenseman to move the puck and run the power play.

 

Ever since Leetch was traded to Toronto in 2004, Rangers fans lamented his loss and the lack of true number one defenseman. That came to an end last year when Michael Del Zotto made the squad out of training camp. All he did as a 19-year old was run the power play and show a preternatural ability to rush the puck while possessing a mean streak.

Team: Philadelphia Flyers

 

Age: 22

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 16-31-47; minus-9; 23 PIM

 

Career statistics: 25-49-74; minus-1; 37 PIM

 

Prior to the first puck drop of the 2009-10 season, The Hockey News predicted that the Flyers would represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. This proved prescient, as the franchise carried the conference banner into the league’s final playoff series.

 

The star-laden Flyers may not have reached the Finals, however, without the contribution of Giroux. The young center scored key goals and, in the words of head coach Peter Laviolette, asked for “more responsibility” during the playoff run. Giroux should benefit from the experience. He will be counted on to provide tangible and intangible benefits, on and off the ice, to a loaded Flyers squad.  

Team: New York Islanders

 

Age: 19

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 24-30-54; minus-2; 27 PIM

 

Career statistics: 24-30-54; minus-2; 27 PIM

 

No pressure, kid. All that is expected of you is to be the face of the franchise, the cornerstone of a monumental construction project centered around a new arena, the impetus that causes a long-dissatisfied fanbase to purchase season tickets, and, when you have a minute, invoke memories of a franchise’s Stanley Cup-winning legends. That is what the New York Islanders ask of John Tavares.

 

Like most rookies, Tavares experienced both successes and disappointments during his first season. Going into his second year, he has vowed to be stronger and more consistent. 

Team: Los Angeles Kings.

 

Age: 20

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 16-43-59; plus-20, 54 PIM.

 

Career statistics: 22-64-86; plus-3; 110 PIM.

 

Karl Marx famously stated in 1852 that history repeats itself, and the NHL can testify. All the league has to do is to point to the defensemen that have skated in the league.

 

Doug Harvey preceded Bobby Orr. Orr paved the way for Larry Robinson, who was followed by Denis Potvin. Potvin passed the torch to Paul Coffey. Coffey gave way to Raymond Bourque, Brian Leetch and Scott Stevens. That trio was followed by Nicklas Lidstrom and Scott Niedermayer. All were, or will be, inducted into the Hall of Fame. All offered contributions that changed the way the position was played.

 

Lidstrom, the Red Wings’ Hall-of-Fame defenseman has stepped aside for Chicago’s Duncan Keith and the precocious Doughty. Doughty was a Canadian Olympian, an all-NHL selection and was the runner-up for the Norris Trophy in his second year. It is frightening to consider that Doughty is only going to get better. His rise matches that of the steadily improving Kings.  

Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

 

Age: 20

 

Final 2009-10 statistics: 51-44-95; minus-2; 38 PIM.

 

Career statistics: 74-67-141; minus-15; 77 PIM.

 

In the blink-and-you-missed-it Barry Melrose era in Tampa Bay, the coach-turned-television analyst-turned coach was steadfast that the then-No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 Draft was not ready to contribute at the NHL level.

 

Stamkos ended his second season as a co-winner of the Rocket Richard Award for most goals scored in the season, and became the face of a rebuilding Lightning franchise and was touted as someone who should represent Hockey Canada in future international tournaments.

 

Not bad.

 

As for Melrose, he returned to television after the Lightning’s 5-7-4 start to the 2008-09 season. 

 

*Statistics compiled in junior hockey. Hall played for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. Seguin played for the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League.

 

Twitter: @DenisGorman

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