Who are the best older prospects that will excel once in NHL

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I was thinking about this the other day.. What are some older prospects that will do well in the NHL once they play.

Im kind of thinking around the 23+ age group.

This came to mind when noticing how well 23 year old prospect Victor Olofsson has been doing in his rookie season and how excited Sabres fans are for him since coming to North America this year.

Other older ones are Shestyorkin and Sorokin obviously... But who are some players you think will become real good NHLers once they get their chance, come over from Europe or maybe even the older guys that leave NCAA after their schooling is complete

Click to read more...

 

[Tryamkin]

Nikita Gusev and Kirill Kaprizov if they move over can both be top line wingers.

 

[Chainshot]

Victor Olofsson might be a viable NHLer and he's going to be 24 in July.

 

[Fantomas]

Olofsson isn't doing anything terribly special for his age.

 

[WillNy29]

Calle Rosen?

 

[GOALOFSSON]

Olofsson isn't doing anything terribly special for his age.

Led the SHL in goals?

 

[Vagrant]

chase priskie is turning 23 in less than a month and leads ncaa defenders in goal scoring with 17. he has 39 points in 32 games and is a +19. capitals draft pick, but could obviously go ufa if that route appeals to him.

 

[alko]

Samuel Bucek, 20 years old forward. He is not that old, but he would need some years. Big body, good shot, improved skating, much improved self-confidence.

There are rumors, he is going to NHL camp (Flyers???) and he already said, he wants to play North America hockey again. Advice for him: Be patient.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

chase priskie is turning 23 in less than a month and leads ncaa defenders in goal scoring with 17. he has 39 points in 32 games and is a +19. capitals draft pick, but could obviously go ufa if that route appeals to him.

Oh wow i had never heard of the guy!.. Should be interesting to see what he decides

 

[Mrb1p]

Gavrikov should be able to hold down a D pairing.

Lindgren is 25 and ready for the show.

 

[EXTRAS]

Joel L'esperance was leading the AHL in goals as a rookie this season before his call up. He's 23 and has a solid chance of being a 2nd line center eventually.

 

[MattiasSnall]

Oliwer Kaski, 23 year old defensemen from Pelicans, 53 GP and 44 points, Has really been dynamic in Liiga and should attract plenty of interest overseas.

 

[ChazzMichaelMichaels]

Gavrikov is a big one for me. Probably the best defensive d-man in the KHL. Size and skill, Jarmo said before the season that he was good enough to play for them this season. I think he comes over and has a real good shot at being a top 4 guy in short order.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

SHestyorkin. Goalies don't count though bc they take longer to marinate haha

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Kind of a hard question because anyone at this age, unless he is a goaltender, won't really be thought of as an NHLer until he starts producing at the NHL level. It becomes a circular situation because most people won't give a prospect thats 23+ much of a thought because he hasn't produced at an NHL level, but because he hasn't produced at such a level, he won't be given much of a chance to prove he can produce at an NHL level in the eyes of the public. In the end, a lot of these prospects that do well at age 23+ end up being labeled "surprises" regardless if under close examination, he had good talent to begin with.

Case and point, Jordan Binnington and MacKenzie MacEachern. I liked both after their initial draft and thought both had the capability to reach the NHL. However, it took them so long to do so, that I lost hope that either would. Now, both are fairly large components as to the Blues resurgence. Yet, I would never have guessed both would look so good at the NHL level, despite knowing the strengths of what makes them effective NHLers beforehand. Although, in Binnington's case, it can be argued that he's a goalie, so him taking a longer time to get to the NHL isn't as surprising.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that this question is very hard to answer because it's hard to think of NHLers taking 5+ years after their drafts to reach the NHL, especially in today's NHL. It's difficult to say that someone who isn't in the NHL by the time he's 22 will prove to a solid contributor by the time he's 23+ if given the opportunity. I mean, another example is Jani Hakanpaa for the Blues. There's a Finnish poster who is fairly certain that he will be an NHLer now after spending 4 years in the Finnish league. It's hard to imagine that happening, after the season the Blues are having, I'm more than willing to try him out once again.

 

[Elitersson]

Nikita Tryamkin

 

[gifted88]

Dominik Kubalik is doing quite well in the NLA this year. No idea why Chicago didn't sign him.

 

[Habs76]

Gusev is a lock, Kaprizov too. As a Habs fan I'll add I still think McCarron can carve out a depth role with a team.

 

[theslatcher]

Since he isn't mentioned yet: Joel Persson. Went from Sweden's Division 1 to the SHL last season and did so with style. This season he has proven that last season wasn't a fluke while playing for a weaker Växjö Lakers team. Should be in Oilers' lineup next season.

 

[Jorma Heart]

Otto Leskinen turned 22 few weeks a go and is on his way to +30 pts season. Every KalPa's top4 d-men moved to bigger clubs after last season, so he got his chance and used it well. More skilled than Riikola and more reliable than Maione. He's probably going to sign with NHL team next summer.

Otto Leskinen at eliteprospects.com

edit: not every top 4 dman left, Ryan Wilson came back

 

[TheDoldrums]

Trevor Moore is pretty unheralded and turns 24 this month, I think he'll carve out a solid NHL career. Excel might be going too far, but he'll stick for awhile.

Also like Andrew Mangiapane to become a good player, I think he's 23 soon.

 

[Son of Petter]

Lead the SHL in goals over Petrersson last year and is right at the top for rookie scoring in the A this year with the likes of Troy Terry.

Olofsson isn't doing anything terribly special for his age.

 

[Son of Petter]

They just traded for his rights, I believe the plan is to sign him after his nla season.

Dominik Kubalik is doing quite well in the NLA this year. No idea why Chicago didn't sign him.

 

[PittsburghHustlers]

Oliwer Kaski, 23 year old defensemen from Pelicans, 53 GP and 44 points, Has really been dynamic in Liiga and should attract plenty of interest overseas.

What would you say his ceiling is? Reasonable expectations if he comes over?

 

[Fantomas]

Lead the SHL in goals over Petrersson last year and is right at the top for rookie scoring in the A this year with the likes of Troy Terry.

Olofsson is old for a prospect. If he was anything special, he would be destroying the AHL at his age.