Sometimes They're Top Notch Players After All

It's easy to be skeptical or doubt your players especially with the fact that they are drafted so young. The chances for a 1st or 2nd rounder to make the NHL and have an impact are 50/50 at best. Early this year there were many highly touted youngsters who struggled, some have turned it around, while others haven't. Then there are the few highly touted youngsters who have struggled and are now proving that they were worth the hype. Here are 6 such youngsters who look like they'll be top line players after all.


Kyle Okposo 63 GP, 18 G, 20 A, 38 Points on NYI
Through December 20th, his first 21 games he had only 2 goals, 3 assists, since then he has had 16 goals and 17 assists in 42 games. This young kid is developing some chemistry with Josh Bailey and if the Islanders could add another scoring forward to this line, they could be one of the best in hockey in a couple years. Expect Okposo to score 30 to 40 goals ten times in his career.

Steven Stamkos 74 GP, 20 G, 22 A, 42 Points for TB
Through January 8th, his first 40 games he had just 4 goals and 10 assists, since then he has had 16 goals and 12 assists in 34 games. It took some time for him to get his confidence back after the Barry Melrose debacle but it seems like Stamkos is as good as we all thought. His slapshot on the power play is phenomenal.

Tobias Enstrom 77 GP, 5 G, 24 A, 29 Points for ATL
Through Feb. 23rd, his first 60 games he had just 1 goal and 11 assists, since then he has had 4 goals and 13 assists in 17 games. He was a solid offensive defenseman last year but lost a lot of his opportunity with Mathieu Schneider around. Since Schneider's departure he has produced exceptionally.

Sam Gagner 71 Gp, 14 G, 23 A, 37 Points for Edmonton
Through Dec. 16th, his first 22 games he had just 1 goal and 5 assists, since then he has had 13 goals and 18 assists in 49 games. Through the first quarter of the season it looked like Gagner was going to endure the dreaded sophomore slump. Instead he's turned it around and though his stats haven't improved over last season, he's proven he can deal with adversity.

David Backes 77 GP, 26 G, 21 A, 47 Points for St. Louis
Through Dec. 3rd, his first 23 games, he had 4 goals and 4 assists, since then he`s scored 22 goals and 17 assists in his last 54 games. Backes has been around for a couple seasons but finally seems to be transforming into a solid power forward. He also has 159 penalty minutes and has really developed as a premier physical force.

Andrew Ladd 76 GP, 13 G, 30 A, 43 Points for Chicago
Through Nov. 29th, his first 22 games, he had 3 goals and 5 assists since then he`s had 10 goals and 28 assists in 54 games. Ladd finally looks like he`s producing like we all hoped he would. He`s already broken his previous best in games played:76 from 65, goals: 13 from 11, assists 30 from 10, and points: 43 from 21.