NHL Power Forwards of the Future (under-23)

[noncents]

For the Rangers, it's Will Cuylle.

This guy has been on a heater to start the season, with 6g 8a and +14 in 17 games. All 14 at even strength, in less than 14min per game. Oh yeah, kid is 6'3 212 and has 72 hits, 6th in the league. How are ya?

The shooting percentage will go down but his overall game is a throwback and he was bringing it last year as well until he hit a late season wall. Didn't hear about him as much as Id expected.

For example I look at a guy like Knies who people have absolutely raved about - i don't think he's that much better if at all than Cuylle. Certainly he's had more opportunity, and he's been on a line with elite producers to pump up his numbers. But when you look at what people says Knies is, a "modern power forward," they're just describing Cuylle's game to a T. plus you'd never see him get blown up like he did by Whitecloud or embarrassed like by Bennett. He's gotten his share of whoopings and he takes his lumps, but never looks so wimpy.

Who's the young buck people don't know about on your team yet who plays with power and physicality? Who are the next generation of this dying breed of player in the NHL?

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[FriendlyGhost92]

If there's a candidate for Detroit it's Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.

Measured 6' 1" 207 lbs as an 18 year old at the combine. He's got a hell of a shot.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Leafs appear to be blessed with two. Matthew Knies and Nikita Grebenkin. These boys play mean and have soft hands.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Wanted to start a "guy no one knows about on your team that they should" and mention Cuylle. lol

But honestly, I just wanted to brag about Cuylle.

Amazing how badly we screwed up the 7 overall pick but ended up getting good value for the pick we get back, late in the 2nd round.

 

[Golden_Jet]

For the Rangers, it's Will Cuylle.

This guy has been on a heater to start the season, with 6g 8a and +14 in 17 games. All 14 at even strength, in less than 14min per game. Oh yeah, kid is 6'3 212 and has 72 hits, 6th in the league. How are ya?

The shooting percentage will go down but his overall game is a throwback and he was bringing it last year as well until he hit a late season wall. Didn't hear about him as much as Id expected.

For example I look at a guy like Knies who people have absolutely raved about - i don't think he's that much better if at all than Cuylle. Certainly he's had more opportunity, and he's been on a line with elite producers to pump up his numbers. But when you look at what people says Knies is, a "modern power forward," they're just describing Cuylle's game to a T. plus you'd never see him get blown up like he did by Whitecloud or embarrassed like by Bennett. He's gotten his share of whoopings and he takes his lumps, but never looks so wimpy.

Who's the young buck people don't know about on your team yet who plays with power and physicality? Who are the next generation of this dying breed of player in the NHL?

Do any of them drop the gloves,
Best PF usually has skill, hits and fights

But “modern” power forward, seems doesn’t include the fighting aspect.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

The Pens don't even have a power forward, let alone a really good power forward under 23 lol.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Conor Geekie for Tampa maybe.

 

[jfhabs]

Do any of them drop the gloves,
Best PF usually has skill, hits and fights

But “modern” power forward, seems doesn’t include the fighting aspect.

Cuylle can drop the gloves I think.
For me the modern power forward doesn't have to include fighting it's more about being big, playing north-south and creating a bunch of space for your teammates.

For the Habs, that would be Slafkovsky. I think Dach could end up being that as well if he stays on the wing.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Cuylle can drop the gloves I think.
For me the modern power forward doesn't have to include fighting it's more about being big, playing north-south and creating a bunch of space for your teammates.

For the Habs, that would be Slafkovsky. I think Dach could end up being that as well if he stays on the wing.

Ya for the new “modern” PF, I would agree.
But I feel it changes the definition of what a PF was known for.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

The other Dach, Colton.
No guarantee he ever becomes an NHL regular at this point but he certainly appears to have the PF game. Uses his size and strength very well.

Currently in Rockford of the AHL.

 

[CowbellConray]

Not so physical, but I think by 25/26 Dylan Cozens will be a prototypical new NHL PF. He just has too many raw tools not to be, and when he wants to be physical he can be. He had a great goal (called back) where he buried his man down low, cycled the puck to the point and then went to the net and jammed a rebound home.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Ya for the new “modern” PF, I would agree.
But I feel it changes the definition of what a PF was known for.

Oh no, today's power forwards don't do this completely useless thing.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

Does Oliver Wahlstrom count? Technically his birth date makes him 24 but mentally he's not close. If he ever mentally catches up to his physical age the Isles could have quite a player on the hands!

 

[HuGo Sham]

Slafkovsky . I know the regular cast of anti-habs trolls will emerge t refute this, but he's 6'3, 225, has started to use his body and hit and will fight when necessary.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Sam colangelo plays that style of game

9 goals and 15 points in AHL rookie season so far … currently up with the ducks due to injuries.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Oh no, today's power forwards don't do this completely useless thing.

Ya oh no, its a physical game, and players get angry when certain events take place in a game.
That’s why it’s the new “modern” PF
There’s only a few PF’s (not modern PF’s)

 

[ViD]

Dmitry Voronkov is already one of the best in the league, he’s 24 though

 

[noncents]

Dmitry Voronkov is already one of the best in the league, he’s 24 though

love this kids game. criteria was 22 and younger but whatever.

Sam colangelo plays that style of game

9 goals and 15 points in AHL rookie season so far … currently up with the ducks due to injuries.

haven't watched much of his game. he big, he hit and fight?

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

love this kids game. criteria was 22 and younger but whatever.
haven't watched much of his game. he big, he hit and fight?

Hes physical... and plays a more power style game.

Fighting... idk... he hasnt(but isnt fighting rare in college).

 

[tarheelhockey]

Noesen plays that kind of game. Hits hard, scores most of his goals from the crease, doesn’t mind the occasional fight.

 

[Peasy]

Porter Martone could be in the NHL as early as next year, Ryan Leonard should get games at the end of this year.

 

[Finnen]

For the Rangers, it's Will Cuylle.

This guy has been on a heater to start the season, with 6g 8a and +14 in 17 games.

Bedard
Celebrini
Stützle
Michkov
Caufield
Demidov

 

[noncents]

Bedard
Celebrini
Stützle
Michkov
Caufield
Demidov

what's this?

 

[MoneyManny]

what's this?

Not sure he understood the assignment.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Ya oh no, its a physical game, and players get angry when certain events take place in a game.
That’s why it’s the new “modern” PF
There’s only a few PF’s (not modern PF’s)

In todays NHL a power forward is someone who is strong enough and willing enough to use their size and get to areas of the ice otherwise not there. Also, they should be strong on boards and finish hits (and maybe have the odd scrap).

Old days it was a much rougher game so they had to do more. Today, the above qualities are highly sought after and most contending teams can only hope to get 1 or 2 guys with that ability.