Who's the best young forward?

Simply put, they get paid to put pucks in the net. But, for their tender ages, the expectations aren't as high, no matter what the media declares, as they would be for a 10-year veteran nearing his 300th career goal.

These players, though, don't use their young ages for excuses. To them, it doesn't matter whether they're 22 or 32. They do what they're paid to do -- make big plays, light the lamp and, more importantly, put fannies in the seats.

What we're looking for here at Hound Central 3.0 are players who can do more than score. They need to be solid in their defensive end, unlike notable omissions Ilya Kovalchuk (a minus-19) of Atlanta and Alex Ovechkin (a minus-2) of Washington. And they certainly can't take major steps back, much like Carolina's Eric Staal, who saw his point production fall 32 points while posting a minus-6.

And that's why, despite all being under the age of 25 (based on the NHL's Oct. 3 opening night), these kids, so to speak, are not just exciting, but complete all-around players:

No. 5: Evgeni Malkin
Pittsburgh Penguins / center
21 years old (07.31.86)
Drafted second overall in 2004
The skinny: From his clandestine trip to the United States and the legal wrangling to get him into the NHL, Malkin proved last year that he's worth every second and dime spent on him. He won the Calder Cup last season by virtue of his 33 goals and 52 assists, giving him 85 points in his rookie campaign. Given the talent that surrounds him, he should get better with each coming season. Hopefully, his defense (a plus-2) will improve with age.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 4: Marian Gaborik
Minnesota Wild / right wing
25 years old (02.14.82)
Drafted third overall in 2000
The skinny: Bitten by the injury bug last season, Gaborik's health always seems to be an issue. It's too bad, too, seeing that he posted 57 points (30 goals and 27 assists) in just 48 games. Given that 1.18 point-per-game average, a healthy Gaborik could have posted 97 points last season. Still, though, I don't know of too many teams that would turn away his talents, even if for only a half a season.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 3: Jason Spezza
Ottawa Senators / center
24 years old (06.13.83)
Drafted second overall in 2001
The skinny: Here's another player who, barring injury, would have posted top-shelf numbers last season. In 67 games, Spezza put up 87 points, including 34 goals and a plus-19. That 1.30 ppg average would have meant 106 points in a full 82-game campaign. The Next One before some kid from Cole Harbour, N.S., came along, Spezza is fulfilling his destiny.
Last season's ranking: No. 5

No. 2: Thomas Vanek
Buffalo Sabres / left wing
23 years olf (01.19.84)
Drafted fifth overall in 2003
The skinny: Do you want to know what's scary? Barring injury, Vanek should only improve upon last season's remarkable effort: 43 goals, 41 assists for 84 points and a league-leading plus-47. It's no wonder Edmonton wanted to sign him. Should his production continue to climb, and I see no reason why it shouldn't, he will prove to be a bargain and help the Sabres faithful forget about Danny Briere and Chris Drury.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 1: Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh Penguins / center
20 years old (08.07.87)
Drafted first overall in 2005
The skinny: Let's see, how do I put this? Crosby is, by far, the best player in the NHL. Even without his collection of gifted teammates, Crosby would still be the league's top player. He's the fulcrum of the Penguins and the NHL. His rise to power will create a dynasty -- all the pieces are there, all that's needed are patience and, in time, deep pockets.
Last season's ranking: No. 4

Ones to watch

It may take a few seasons for some to hone their skills, but this group of young forwards, listed in alphabetical order, appears poised to step up and make names for themselves in the NHL:

Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals, center
19 years old (11.23.87 ) / fourth overall in the 2006 Draft
The skinny: The top contender for this season's Calder Cup for the top rookie. He will give the new-look Capitals a trio of scoring threats -- Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.

Angelo Esposito, Pittsburgh Penguins, center
18 years old (02.20.89 ) / 20th overall in the 2007 Draft
The skinny: Most likely a couple of years away, but the playmaker could/should walk into Pittsburgh's talented lineup and not look out of place.

Valtteri Filppula, Detroit Red Wings, center
23 years old (03.20.84 ) / 95th overall in the 2002 Draft
The skinny: He made a big splash last season, mostly in the pronunciation of his name, but is expected to grow into a more offensive-minded role in the Motor City.

Michael Frolik, Florida Panthers, center
19 years old (02.17.88 ) / 1oth overall in the 2006 Draft
The skinny: This kid, from the Czech Republic, could be living every young man's dream: Living in Miami and helping the Panthers improve upon last season's performance. Given the team's youth, he should fit right in with Florida's movement.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, right wing
18 years old (11.19.88) / first overall in the 2007 Draft
The skinny: Another strong contender for the Calder Cup, it remains to be seen just how good this Buffalo, N.Y., kid will be. Beyond fellow rookie Jonathan Toews, there's not much offense in the rebuilding Blackhawks lineup. He had 62 goals among 145 points in 58 games with the OHL's London Knights last season.

Clarke MacArthur, Buffalo Sabres, left wing
22 years old (04.06.85) / 74th overall in the 2003 Draft
The skinny: A sleeper pick for the Calder, he really should be counted upon to help pick up the slack in Buffalo. He may not be the most heralded player within Buffalo's streamroller of an offensive unit, but he'll make his presence known in his rookie campaign.

Peter Mueller, Phoenix Coyotes, center
19 years old (04.14.88) / eighth overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: Another Calder Cup contender, he should benefit from the tutelage and discipline from Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky while escaping the white-hot media glare and higher expectations at other NHL clubs.

Drew Stafford, Buffalo Sabres, right wing
21 years old (10.30.85) / 13th overall in the 2004 Draft
The skinny: As many trips as Stafford made last season between Buffalo and Rochester, shuffling between the two western New York cities, it's amazing that he posted 71 points in 63 games between the two leagues. The University of North Dakota product has shown that he can put the puck in the net.

Jonathan Toews (pronounced Tayves), Chicago Blackhawks, center
19 years old (04.29.88) / third overall in the 2006 Draft
The skinny: Yet another product out of the University of North Dakota, Toews provides the strongest competition to Washington's Nicklas Backstrom for Calder Cup honors. He could center a Chicago line with fellow rookie Patrick Kane.

Feel free, too, to check out last season's best young forwards.