2010 forwards upsides, what is your take?

[Clinkers]

I know it is probably way too soon to tell, but do you see any of those 2010 draftees with upside above 80pts? Above 90?

VLADIMIR TARASENKO
NINO NEIDERREITER
EVGENY KUZNETSOV
MIKAEL GRANLUND
KIRILL KABANOV
RYAN JOHANSEN
CALLE JARNKROK
ALEXANDER BURMISTROV
AUSTIN WATSON
JEFF SKINNER
NICK BJUGSTAD
BRETT CONNOLLY
JADEN SCHWARTZ
BEAU BENNETT
QUINTON HOWDEN
RYAN SPOONER
BROCK NELSON
JOEY HISHON
GREG MCKEGG
EMERSON ETEM
BRAD ROSS
RILEY SHEAHAN
DAVID MCINTIRE
KYLE PALMIERI

Cheers!

[TML]

Ask me in about 2 weeks, when my first round in my drafts are done.

[natgeo]

Yup, it's way too early to tell as it will depend on how they develop, how they adjust to the NHL, and what kinds of opportunities they get from their coaches.

Kabanov probably has the highest potential, but I would also say is one of the least likely to reach it. Granlund by some accounts is the best player to come out of Finland since Selanne; by other accounts his upside is more of a Saku Koivu impact. The other three Russians have some high potential upside (Burmistrov, Tarasenko and Kuznetsov). I particularly like Kuznetsov in Washington as Semin probably won't be resigned, and it's possible Fleischmann may have to move on at some point as well.

I've heard Nino is more of an Erik Cole kind of player, but who knows? On the Islanders he might have the opportunity to play with guys like Tavares, Okposo, Bailey and Kabanov.

Skinner, Connolly and Schwartz are some nice wild cards that might adapt better than the Russian players to the NHL. All have the potential to develop into 80+ point players.

[dstarsboy]

My vote is on Connelly and Skinner having the best careers of that bunch you mentioned.

[dbellan]

I agree with the above about Connolly and Skinner being good bets, and Kabanov being a darkhorse with upside.

I'm a big Tarasenko fan, and think he can be a scorer for the Blues.

I think the Blue Jackets could give Johansen a shot to usurp Brassard's position as future centre for Rick Nash, which you give him the opportunity for a lot of points.

Also if you have a late pick, Beau Bennett may be worth a gamble late. Granted I'm a homer as a Pens fan, but from a fantasy perspective getting drafted as a winger in Pittsburgh is basically hitting the fantasy points gold mine. Not to mention he absolutely obliterated the BCHL this year with 120 points in 56 games.

Don't come away from that and pick him first overall, because he's not in the same class as the guys I mentioned above who are WAY more surefire bets. Bennett is definitely worth a late round flyer though.

[lockedge]

Ask me in about 2 weeks, when my first round in my drafts are done.

XD Yeah, I'd like to pitch in, but I don't really want to give much insight. Not that it would probably affect anyone's decision, but divulging that info prior to my draft could hurt me. :P

The no brainer PPG+ potential players are Tarasenko, Burmistrov, Connolly, Kuznetsov, Granlund and Kabanov.

[fungchen3]

I really have a good feeling about el Nino. I think he steps right onto the Isles and makes an impact. I like the fact that they rolled the dice on Kabanov too.