It is time for part 2 of my preseason player analysis and this week I am going to talk about the players that I think are going to break out and have great seasons next year. Remember this is simply my opinion and I am not factoring in potential injuries or trades into this list. In my opinion, a break out player is someone who sees their role on the team increase and their statistics increase as well. So without further ado, my 5 break out players for the next season.
5. Nik Kronwall- Detroit Red Wings- With the retirement of Brian Rafalski, Kronwall is now the number 2 defencemen in Detroit. That position will see his ice time and powerplay time increase, which should lead to more points for Kronwall. Last season he registered 37 points with 11 goals and he should easily surpass that total. His best season was 2008-09 where he got 51 points and this season he will be hit that total, if not surpass it.
4. Ilya Kovalchuck - New Jersey Devils- Kovalchuck had a very disappointing season for a player who had just signed the leagues biggest contract. He improved near the end of the season but still only registered 60 points, unlike the high 80 low 90 point seasons he is known for. But I think that will change next year. I expect Kovalchuck to team up with a health Zach Parise and return to his glory. I expect him to be an exciting player to watch next year.
3. James van Riemsdyk- Philadelphia Flyers- Van Riemsdyk, or JVR as he is commonly known, probably was just as surprised as anyone when 2 of the Flyers top forwards were traded in blockbuster deals. This leaves JVR and Claude Giroux as the new go to guys in Philly and if JVR plays like he did in the playoffs, he should be able to do that. The big winger only scored 40 points last season but he emerged with 7 goals in 11 playoff games. In the playoffs he was able to use his big frame to get close to the net for scoring chances and with the added ice time this season, he should score a lot more all year long. I expect this young forward to pass 50 points and become a bigger part of the Flyers core offence.
2. Steve Mason- Columbus Blue Jackets- Mason broke into the NHL in 2008-09 with 33 wins and 10 shutouts but hasn't gone back to his Calder trophy winning ways since then. However, Columbus was very aggressive this summer by bringing in Jeff Carter and James Wisnewski, which should lead the whole team to improve this season. The improved team will get more wins and those wins will be given to Mason. I expect him to get over 30 wins again and have a winning record next season, and we already know he is capable of that.
1. John Tavares- New York Islanders- It is Tavares' time to shine this season. He was the first overall pick in 2009 draft and hasn't played bad, but he has yet to emerge as the top player Islanders fans thought he was going to be. He got 67 points last season, but I think he will be the next Stamkos and surprise everyone with 50 goals and 80 or more points this winter. He is in a contract year and if he wants to earn some big money next summer, he will want to prove he is more than capable of being a super star. That seems like enough motivation to me.
I encourage your own thoughts and opinions either in the comments or in twiiter via @jbenny15. Until next week, thanks for reading.
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