NHL – Guess Who Is Being Promoted To Elite Status

For a long time it’s been the barometer for an elite goal-scorer and it seems our expectations haven’t really changed even though the game has. Generally speaking, most fans are aware that scoring is way down, but it seems like a smaller portion of those fans understand the effects that has on our expectations for an elite player.

NHL teams can alter the balance of power in their division if one of their young players emerges as an elite contributor.

It takes time, sometimes several years, before an elite talent emerges as complete. Tracking players from age 18 to 23 seems to be the range where they show themselves. These men play a couple of seasons in the NHL and then start to emerge as impact players.

What Makes Him Special? 

Artemi Panarin is a brilliant rookie for the Chicago Blackhawks. His speed and creativity are incredible and he has taken the league by storm.

Does He Have Another Gear?

It will be some time before we have this player surrounded in terms of ability. At first blush—he is on track for more than 80 points—we are talking about an elite offensive talent.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? 

The Calder Trophy would be the obvious candidate, and he leads the scoring race among rookies by five points. We need to see him over a longer period but he is an amazing story this season.

That’s not on the players, either. It’s the era. Goalies are at their best and teams have four full lines of guys who can actually play. That means top players can’t pick apart lesser weights and ice-time is spread around more evenly. Basically, it’s not just that scoring is down, it’s that the average player is better now and there’s less goals to go around.

What Makes Him Special? 

Evgeny Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals is an impressive forward who has played enough in the NHL to start pushing the offensive on his own.

Does He Have Another Gear? 

He scored 37 points last season and at this point looks poised to jump well into the 85-point range. Kuznetsov’s season-over-season surge is exceptional and would represent a massive growth from the player if he can sustain it.

What Awards Could He Win in the Future? 

We are early in Kuznetsov’s career, so it is a stretch to project him as an Art Ross Trophy winner this year. Having said that, he is certainly on the radar as a possible elite-level offensive player and he is blossoming this season.

Again, most hockey fans understand this, but their expectations have stayed the same despite being products of a bygone era and that’s led to some disappointment over some player’s production. That’s why we need new expectations for what it means to be elite.

What Makes Him Special? 

Johnny Gaudreau is an electric offensive player, with brilliant passing and puck-handling skills, plus patience and vision.

Does He Have Another Gear? 

He scored 64 points as a rookie. That is a stunning total in the modern NHL. He may not have another gear—he is on track for more than 80 points this season—but even if he remains in the rookie range, he is a quality producer.