Ice hockey has long been known for developing new superstars on a regular basis. Whether you go back to the days when Gretzky first came through or if you are more familiar with the emergence of Sidney Crosby, the next big thing has long been something people look out for. It’s no different now than it was further back in time. So, here are our picks on who will be the next big thing in the world of ice hockey.
Juraj Slafkovsky
At almost 6-foot (2m), Slafkovsky is already a physically imposing player. Still in his teens, this is a young man who really has the potential to be a superstar. He really does possess all the skills that will make him a regular in the NHL lines over the next few years. It’s not just the physical gifts that Slafkovsky has that makes him an impressive prospect though.
His vision is remarkable. He’s able to spot passes before other players with remarkable regularity. He can then carry out these passes with a high degree of accuracy. This ability makes him a very good playmaker already. He adds to this a fantastic ability to hit shots early with both high levels of power and accuracy. Slafkovsky is a player that has a big future ahead of him in the game.
Photo by: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images
Owen Power
Power is looking to follow in the footsteps of his countryman Sidney Crosby. He was a top draft pick, which resulted in him bypassing the New York Rangers and other teams to go right to the Buffalo Sabres. They’re already looking happy with the pick, and it’s expected that he will see a lot of time on the ice over the next couple of years. Owen Power is the kind of player that can genuinely become a superstar if the stars align correctly for him.
He has the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. This is often something that is difficult to coach into a player. They either have that ability or they don’t. Power has this ability, and he backs it up with astounding technical skills. He could go on to be a huge player for the Sabres in the future. Whether he decides to build a legacy in Buffalo or uses the team as a steppingstone to bigger things remains to be seen. Whatever choice he decides to make, there is no mistaking that Owen Power could even go on to be a better player than Crosby if he works hard and gets enough game time.
Sean Farrell
Sean Farrell was a sensation at the Beijing Olympics. In the first two games, he managed to set up three goals and score three goals himself. It was a bit of a surprise for some people as he was a low pick during the 2020 draft, being picked up by the Montreal Canadiens at number 124 overall. This shows that, at the time, he really wasn’t that highly sought after. However, with some good time on the ice, Farrell is really coming into his own as a player.
He has plenty of skills and backs this up with an ice-cold ruthless streak. He can pull out a no look pass behind his back one moment and finish through a crowd of players the next. Make no mistake, Farrell has all the hallmarks of a future great of the game. His heroics in Beijing were just the start of his journey to the top of the NHL.
Photo courtesy of USHL.com
Matty Beniers
If ever there was a player that epitomized an all-rounder, it is Matty Beniers. He really is a player that has absolutely everything in his locker. He might have avoided the glamor of the big money teams such as the Rangers when making his way to the NHL, but the Seattle Kraken really feel that they have a future star on their roster. He was their very first pick and the choice led to their GM announcing that they would be building their franchise around him.
It made complete sense, as Beniers really is a player who can do it all. He has strong defensive fundamentals, can carry the puck with the best of them, has elite-level vision and can finish with the best of them. Beniers could go on to be the very best of them all on this list. Once he’s established in the league, he will definitely be worth a wager to grab an MVP award or two over the course of his career.
You must be logged in to post a comment.