10 NHL rookies to watch this season
In the hockey world, you don't clear the puck up the middle. You don't sit on a lead. You don't mess with a player's superstitions.
And you don't bet against Calgary Flames rookie Johnny Gaudreau proving his value.
Gaudreau, 21, is a 5-8, 155-pound player with a history of big accomplishments.
Always considered too small, Gaudreau started beating the odds in 2010-11 when he totaled 36 goals and 72 points in 60 games for the Dubuque (Iowa) Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League.
Then it was off to Boston College, where he registered 78 goals and 175 points in 119 games. Last season, Gaudreau won the Hobey Baker Trophy after scoring 36 goals in 40 games.
"He is one of those players who in a lot of ways is like Patrick Kane," former NHL general manager Craig Button said. "They speed up when they need to. They slow down when they need to. Every time you think they are ready to give up the puck, they give it up on their terms. They dictate plays with the puck."
Gaudreau signed with the Flames, played one game and scored in it. That kind of flair for the dramatic has earned him the nickname "Johnny Hockey."
He was dominant again at the world championships. Playing against NHL talent, He posted two goals and 10 points in eight games.
Gaudreau is expected to be in the hunt for Calder Trophy consideration, although the Flames are rightfully trying to remind everyone it is unfair to burden him with unreasonable expectations.
"Let's try to let him be a 21-year-old kid if we can," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said. "We are going to let him be who he is. There is no thought that Johnny has to be the savior here in the first week."
But Treliving likes what he has seen from Gaudreau, particularly at the world championships. Players fresh out of the college game aren't supposed to play the way he did.
"He has a very special skill set," Treliving said. "It's the way he thinks the game."
Treliving isn't fretting about Gaudreau's size. He told Gaudreau he wanted him to get stronger but joked that he didn't have to gain 50 pounds.
"You can go through the league and find elite-level skill players who aren't doing it by brute or brawn," Treliving said. "They are doing it by hockey IQ. That's where Johnny is. I'm intrigued to see where it goes."
Other players who are joining Gaudreau on the preseason list of 2014-15 NHL rookie of the year candidates:
2. Center Evgeny Kuznetsov (Washington Capitals)
Kuznetsov's Calder Trophy candidacy could be looked upon as a referendum on the quality of play in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League.
At 22, Kuznetsov was a proven KHL star performer when he joined the Capitals late last season.
If the KHL is as strong as the Russians think it is, Kuznetsov has to be among the favorites to win rookie of the year.
In his last 175 games in the KHL, Kuznetsov posted 63 goals and 137 points. With Washington last season, he had nine points in 17 games. That's roughly a pace for a 40-point season.
Anyone who watched Kuznetsov last season knows he can skate and handle the puck. What we don't know is whether he can handle the rigors of the longer NHL regular season and playoffs.
3. Left wing Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Drouin, 19, has the talent to win the rookie scoring title. Over the past two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he has amassed 70 goals and 213 points in 95 games.
He was slowed in training camp by a broken thumb, but he says his goal is to play in the season opener.
The Lightning opted not to rush Drouin after he was drafted in 2013, sending him back to junior hockey, where he matured into a more complete player.
But Drouin's lure is his scintillating offensive flair. He can create space for himself when none seems available. He projects to be a magical power-play performer. He is a future 30-goal scorer.
4. Left wing Tanner Pearson (Los Angeles Kings)
The 2012 first-round draft pick is unique in this rookie class because he enters training camp with coaches already trusting what he can do.
A late season call-up in 2013-14, Pearson played a noteworthy role in helping the Kings win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. He had 12 points in 24 playoff games, playing primarily on a line with Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter.
Pearson, 22, is eligible for the Calder Trophy because he has played 25 regular-season games, the maximum allowed to still be considered a rookie.
If Pearson wins the Calder, he would join Gaye Stewart (1943), Danny Grant (1969), Tony Esposito (1970) and Ken Dryden (1972) as players who have won the Stanley Cup before being named rookie of the year.
Pearson's candidacy will depend greatly upon how much ice time he can wrangle.
In the Stanley Cup Final, he played 11 to 13 minutes a night. If he plays enough, he has the touch to score 20 goals.
5. Goalie John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks)
Although the Ducks' goaltending picture was fuzzy going into training camp, Gibson likely will see considerable playing time this season.
He could end up as the No. 1 goalie or split time with Frederik Andersen, or he could be sent to the American Hockey League for more seasoning.
But at 21, Gibson already has proved he's mature beyond his years, and he's a special talent. He has helped the USA win a gold medal at the world junior championships and a bronze medal at the world championships.
He earned victories in his first three regular-season NHL games and two of four playoff games last spring.
Gibson is 6-3, 215 pounds and boasts James Bond-like composure: He's not easily shaken or stirred.
The Ducks are a strong team, and Gibson should have strong enough numbers to give him Calder consideration.
6. Center Teuvo Teravainen (Chicago Blackhawks)
If Teravainen were playing for a less-talented team, he probably would be among the favorites for the award.
He's a highly skilled forward, but he's trying to earn playing time on a Blackhawks squad that will be among the NHL's highest-scoring teams. When center Brad Richards signed in Chicago, it made Teravainen's path more challenging, as did a training camp injury.
But Teravainen, 20, is a skilled player. He had 44 points in 49 games for Jokerit in the Finnish Elite League before joining the Blackhawks late last season. He had 15 points in seven games at the world championships.
Teravainen could start the season with the Blackhawks' Rockford, Ill., affiliate and be brought up when Chicago has injuries or he gains more polish.
If Teravainen gets his chance, he has the offensive touch necessary to post big numbers.
7. Center Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
Given Edmonton's need for another center, Draisaitl is expected to be given a shot to play on a scoring line.
The 6-2, 215-pound German-born forward can play a power game. He's the son of former German national team player Peter Draisaitl. Leon Draisaitl has natural scoring instincts. Last season, he had 38 goals and 105 points in 64 games playing for the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Raiders in the WHL.
Draisaitl, 18, didn't look out of place playing for Germany against top players at last spring's world championships. He posted a goal and three assists in seven games.
8. Goaltender Jake Allen (St. Louis Blues)
Jake Allen seems like he has been around the Blues a long time, but he has played only 15 games (in 2012-13) and is 24, making him eligible for Calder consideration.
He was named the most outstanding goalie in the American Hockey League. It's not unthinkable that he could end up sharing the net with Brian Elliott or even claiming the No. 1 job
9. Defenseman Griffin Reinhart (New York Islanders)
Reinhart, son of former NHL defenseman Paul Reinhart, is expected to step into the Islanders lineup and be a factor.
He was MVP of the WHL playoffs last season. He's a 6-4 competitor with natural hockey instincts.
Griffin, 20, is expected to be a two-way NHL defenseman. He had a plus 83 rating during his WHL career.
He helped lead the Edmonton Oil Kings to the Memorial Cup title last season.
10. Forward Sam Reinhart (Buffalo Sabres)
Reinhart, Griffin's brother, possesses superb hockey vision and awareness. He makes those around him better.
The No. 2 pick in the June draft had 36 goals and 105 points in 60 games last season with the Kootenay (British Columbia) Ice in the WHL. He had 23 points in 13 WHL playoff games.
He was held without a point in his first three NHL preseason games, but scored a goal in his fourth game.
Honorable mention
Right wing Kasperi Kapanen (Pittsburgh Penguins): General manager Jim Rutherford thinks he has a chance to make the team. He is the son of former NHL player Sami Kapanen.