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Our NHL playoff pool is open for registration this week, so conditions seemed all too ideal for me to start discussing young forwards with breakout potential. An important stat to consider when drafting for any fantasy sports league, is how well players produced over the final stretch of the previous season. Many young players struggle through the start of an NHL season or two, as they acclimate themselves to the superior level of play. But it is how they finish a season that often determines how well they will perform the following year. Everyone knows about the Crosbys and Ovechkins who have done well in the second half, so let’s take a look at some of the lesser-known youngsters who produced in the last month, who should take their offensive strides into next season.

David Backes
Last 17 games: 13G-7A-20P, +4, 22 PIM
2008-09 has been a breakout year for the developing power forward, as he’s learned to use his size down low to finish passes in tight, and clean up his teammates’ rebounds. A 40G-30A-70P campaign next season is definitely attainable, and his fantasy value is higher in pools that value penalty minutes, as he’s accumulated 163 this season.

Alex Burrows
Last 25 games: 15G-11A-26P, +20, 66 PIM
Another emerging scorer fitting the prototypical power forward mould, Burrows has done it all for the Vancouver Canucks in the second half, posting solid stats across the board.

David Booth
Last 15 games: 7G-9A-16P, 5 PPG
Nearly impossible to knock off the puck, David Booth is one of several young offensive threats developed by the Florida Panthers. He could flirt with 70 points next season.

Sam Gagner
Last 18 games: 10G-11A-21P, +3
He’s embarrassed even Roberto Luongo with his sensational dekes and head fakes during shootouts, but more importantly, finally looks to be putting together a solid all-around game. Gagner may have the softest hands in the NHL.

Ryan Kesler
Last 31 games: 16G-17A-33P, +4, 23 PIM
The Canucks were fortunate enough to receive breakout seasons from a pair of forwards this year, which cushions the blow of the Sedin twins likely leaving this offseason. Kesler has a knack for lighting the lamp, and could find the net 40 times next year.

Kyle Okposo
Last 12 games: 6G-9A-15P, +2, 3 PPG
A large piece of the rebuilding puzzle in Long Island, Okposo has been relied upon as a first liner all season. He should gel nicely with John Tavares if the Isles can snag him.

Mikhail Grabovski
Last 13 games: 7G-9A-16P, 20 PIM
Undisciplined at times (especially when playing against the Habs – 54 PIMs in 6 games this season), Grabovski has shown some incredible talent with the Blue and White.

Claude Giroux
Last 13 games: 3G-10A-13P, +4
A future Lady Byng candidate, Giroux will put up more than adequate numbers in all offensive categories not named PIMs next season. The sky’s the limit in 2009-10.

Brooks Laich
Last 19 games: 6G-11A-17P, +5
Just as Gretzky and Lemieux made point producers out of average players, Brooks Laich’s career year has been the result of playing on a line with Alexander Ovechkin. As in all fantasy sports, an ugly win is still a win.

So who do you think is the most likely to bust out in 2009-10? I like Giroux, as he’s going to go late in most drafts having played only half a season. Initially he slipped down the NHL draft ranks for being somewhat smallish in stature, but his play the last couple years in the OHL, AHL, and World Juniors has been anything but small. With so many first round draft picks developing ideally over the past few years, Holmgren will have his hands full keeping all this talent in Philly. Fortunately, as a GM in sports, an over-abundance of talent is the best problem you can have.

Not especially related, but a must-see nonetheless is Edmonton Oilers’ prospect Linus Omark, perhaps a future breakout sniper, scored a sensationally creative shootout goal in an exhibition game last week. Check it out.

The Florida Panthers’ David Booth is coming into his own as a fantasy threat. He has picked up right where he left off last season, compiling 20 goals and 12 assists thus far. His numbers increase can be attributed to the top line minutes he is receiving, after the departure of Olli Jokinen this past summer. While not the fastest skater around, he is extremely strong on the puck, and is developing into the Panthers’ top threat. Currently owned in 47% of pools, he could be the key to a late season point surge for needy poolies.

Perhaps you’re content with your forwards, and are looking for a boost from your back end. With teams keying in on Lubomir Visnovsky and Sheldon Souray’s blasts from the point, the Edmonton Oilers have seen new offensive production from two of their younger defensemen. Both Tom Gilbert and Denis Grebeshkov have been hot of late, each recording 10 points in the last month. What’s more is that they are owned in 12% and 4% of fantasy leagues, respectively. Having received suspect goaltending so far this season, the Oilers are going to need to do a lot of scoring down the stretch if they have serious hopes of avoiding the golf course come April.

On the elite talent scale, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and Henrik Zetterberg have all made headlines in current hockey happenings. Crosby is back in the Penguins lineup after having sat out the All-Star game with a nagging ankle injury. Ovechkin left yesterday’s tilt with the Boston Bruins after awkwardly sliding into the boards on a hook by Zdeno Chara. Early reports indicate that he is fine and should play Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings, but Ovechkin owners should continue to monitor his situation. Speaking of the Red Wings, today they improved their chances of snagging more Stanley Cups over the next decade by inking Henrik Zetterberg to a 12 year $73 million contract extension, which could keep last year’s playoff MVP in Hockeytown until 2021.

Breakout Class of 2010

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