Patience, please

In checking this blog's visitor stats recently, I could only chuckle when I discovered that someone found Hound Central 3.0 by searching for "Hound Central 4.0 best young defensemen" on Google. A few days later, another person went so far as to see whether Ottawa blueline prospect Brian Lee was on the defensemen list.

Now, faithful readers of the Hound Central hockey-hounding franchise know that these features, based solely on my perceptions of the NHL's young talent at forward, defense and goalie, have become an annual installment. The only problem, though, is that they aren't produced until early September.

Mainly, I wait until The Hockey News produces its annual preseason magazine, most often devoted to hockey pool junkies. It's there that I begin my research, culling the top players at these basic positions before settling on the best five at each position.

Until then, folks, we'll all have to be patient. As much as I'd like to have the season starting, it's still a number of weeks away. Let's enjoy the summer, shall we?

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.

Who's the best young defenseman?

There's something about playing defense in hockey that makes it so appealing.

Maybe it's the two-way responsibilities -- on-ice multitasking, if you will -- of defending your zone while looking for that perfect outlet pass. Then again, it could be the physicality of the position, from doling out thunderous checks to sacrificing one's body to block a shot.

Another aspect is the inherent leadership that comes with bearing such responsibility. Some of the best captains in recent history -- Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer, Boston's Ray Bourque and New Jersey's Scott Stevens all come to mind -- were defensemen.

While forwards are paid to put pucks in the net, and goalies are compensated to repel them, NHL defenseman live in a transitional world: defense one second, offense a heartbeat later.

These five defensemen, all under the age of 25 (based on the NHL's Oct. 3 opening night), offer the best examples of how the position is played today. Don't be surprised, too, by the lineup:

No. 5: Matt Carle
San Jose Sharks
23 years old (09.25.84)
Drafted 47th overall in 2003
The skinny: The former Hobey Baker Award winner easily made the jump from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association to the NHL. Need proof? How about 11 goals, 31 assists and a plus-1 in his rookie campaign. Sure, a quick midseason trip to Worcester may have been humbling, but he'll be better off in the long run. San Jose teammate Marc-Edouard Vlasic is pretty talented, too, but Carle offers a better all-around game.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 4: Shea Weber
Nashville Predators
22 years old (08.14.85)
Drafted 49th overall in 2003
The skinny: Part of Nashville's solid young corps of defensemen (with Dan Hamhuis, Hound Central's No. 3 last season; and Ryan Suter), this kid has a pretty solid future in front of him. In just his second season, Weber is the Predators' top D-man. I wouldn't be surprised, either, to see him improve upon last season's 40-point (17 goals and 23 assists) and plus-13 effort.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 3: Jay Bouwmeester
Florida Panthers
24 years old (09.27.83)
Drafted third overall in 2002
The skinny: It's not so much that Jay-Bo took a step back last year, when he was Hound Central's best young defenseman, that led to this season's lower rating. Any GM or fan should be happy with his posting of solid offensive numbers (12 goals among 42 points) and an impressive plus-23 for an out-of-the-playoffs Panthers. No, the slippage (and I hate to call it that) comes about because of the NHL's deep talent pool. Either way, Bouwmeester remains a fixture.
Last season's ranking: No. 1

No. 2: Dion Phaneuf
Calgary Flames
22 years old (04.10.85)
Drafted ninth overall in 2003
The skinny: What else can you say about this guy? Phaneuf puts up the points (17+33=50), plays a solid defense (a plus-10) and causes nightmares for any opponent foolish enough to enter Calgary's defensive zone with his head down. Of the games I look forward to seeing this season, the Flames' trip to Tampa Bay sits at the top of the list. Watching Phaneuf play, and hopefully getting an autograph or two (or three), are two of the reasons why.
Last season's ranking: No. 2

No. 1: Ryan Whitney
Pittsburgh Penguins
24 years old (02.19.83)
Drafted fifth overall in 2002
The skinny: When you're part of a squad that includes such notables as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury, it's pretty easy to get overlooked. Whitney, however, makes sure you notice, potting 14 goals among his 59 points and logging a plus-9. Is his presence atop this year's list a fluke? I doubt it. Pittsburgh's got a ton of talent and Whitney is a major part of it. Besides, he's just that good and will be, I believe, for a long time.
Last season's ranking: n/a

Ones to watch

Keep an eye on these six players, listed in alphabetical order, as they're destined for this list in the years ahead:

~ Luc Bourdon, Vancouver Canucks
20 years old (02.16.87) /10th overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: It's hard to put a finger on what exactly Bourdon does to deserve this attention. He'll hold his own in both ends of the rink and isn't afraid to get physical. I guess there's a gut instinct about this guy that says he'll be a stalwart for years to come. We could find out as soon as this season.

~ Erik Johnson, St. Louis Blues
20 years old (03.21.88) / first overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: There's no doubt that this kid will enjoy a long run as a top-shelf player in the NHL. A legitimate Calder Cup contender this season, he'll get to learn from Eric Brewer, Barret Jackman, Jay McKee and, maybe, some guy named Al MacInnis. St. Louis has quietly put together a talented team.

~ Jack Johnson, Los Angeles Kings
20 years old (01.13.87) / third overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: Another member of Los Angeles' stable of young players. He may not be a household name just yet, but give him, as well as teammates (current and future) Jonathan Bernier, Mike Cammalleri, Alexander Frolov and Anze Kopitar time to grow, and the Kings should be a force out west. Having Rob Blake as a mentor shouldn't hurt, too.

~ Brian Lee, Ottawa Senators
20 years old (03.26.87) / ninth overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: Another in the recent lineup of University of North Dakota players bound for the NHL, Lee stands to be a sleeper type of player. He's got plenty of offensive skill and should learn a ton from soon-to-be Senator teammates Andrej Meszaros, Chris Phillips, Wade Redden and the A-Train, Anton Volchenkov.

~ Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
20 years old (04.24.87) / 62nd overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: In western Pennsylvania, the rich only get richer. The Penguins, up to their beaks in young talent, will be wicked-scary good for many seasons. Letang's potential to not only fit in, but become a major contributor, might seem unfair to Pittsburgh's overwhelmed opponents. It's not too far of a stretch to say he could be the final piece in Pittsburgh's puzzle.

~ Marc Staal, New York Rangers
20 years old (01.13.87) / third overall in 2005
The skinny: Some folks are saying he could be the best Staal ever to play in the NHL. To me, that's a pretty strong statement given that big brother Eric casts a pretty long shadow. Something tells me, though, that Marc will do just fine. I say we all sit back and enjoy today's version of the Sutter brothers roam and reign among NHL rinks.

Feel free to check out last year's best young defensemen.

Who's the best young goalie?

In a way, I feel sorry for today's younger generations. The pressure to get into top-shelf schools, score a six-figure starting salary and buy a waterfront condo must be taking its toll. I mean, can you imagine looking forward to schlepping into an office about 237 days out of the year, knowing that you bring more to the table than most of your bosses, for the next 45 to 50 years?

One thing they shouldn't complain about, though, is having to be a starting goalie in the National Hockey League. Chances are, these kids easily satisfy two out of the three mandates faced by their peers. The pressure of being a big-league goalie, though, is something those peers don't face.

Playing goalie makes them visible. In a heartbeat, usually brought about by a perceived weak goal, an adoring fan base can boo one back to the minors. On the road, it's no different. Their last name becomes a derisive chant. Every goal leads to a deafening cheer.

That, my friends, is what pressure's all about. To be that good, at such a young age, on a worldwide platform, is what separates these goalies, all under the age of 25 (based on the NHL's Oct. 3 opening night), from their peers, hockey players or not:

No. 5: Cam Ward
Carolina Hurricanes
23 years old (02.29.84)
Drafted 25th overall in 2002
The skinny: Though some might see last season as a step back, the former Conn Smythe winner still posted respectable numbers: 30-21-6, 2.93 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage (really, though, .900 is the benchmark). To me, this kid, unflappable as they come, is going to have a long, productive NHL career.
Last season's ranking: No. 4

No. 4: Kari Lehtonen
Atlanta Thrashers
23 years old (11.16.83)
Drafted 2nd overall in 2002
The skinny: A fixture on everyone's goalie radar since his American Hockey League days, the Finn makes his first appearance on Puckhound's annual list. Leading the Thrashers to their first-ever postseason appearance, as well as logging pretty good numbers (34-24-9, 2.79 GAA and .912 SP) will do that for a player.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 3: Marc-Andre Fleury
Pittsburgh Penguins
22 years old (11.28.84)
Drafted 1st overall in 2003
The skinny: My faith in this kid was rewarded last season. At a point in his young career when others were questioning whether he was a flop, Fleury put together a spectacular season: 40-16-9, 2.83 GAA and .906 SP. Granted, it doesn't hurt having some of the game's best players (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Ryan Whitney) on your team, too.
Last season's ranking: No. 3

No. 2: Ray Emery
Ottawa Senators
25 years old (09.28.82)
Drafted 99th overall in 2001
The skinny: It's amazing how Emery burst onto the scene last season, especially late in the year and during the playoffs. How stingy was he? How about a 33-16-6 record, a 2.47 GAA and a .918 save percentage. Showing just how objective I can be, Emery also scored major bonus points for taking on, and beating up, my beloved Sabres last season.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 1: Henrik Lundqvist
New York Rangers
25 years old (03.02.82)
Drafted 205th overall in 2000
The skinny: Really, this should come as no surprise that Lundqvist is crowned as King of the best young goalies for this upcoming season. Not only did he step up individually (37-22-8, 2.34 GAA and .917 SP), but he played an integral role in the Rangers' reversal of fortunes last season. He's also living proof that gems exist deep in drafts.
Last season's ranking: No. 2

Ones to watch

Keep an eye on these four players, listed in alphabetical order, as they're likely to make this list in the years ahead:

~ Jonathan Bernier, Los Angeles Kings
19 years old (08.07.88) / 11th overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: It may take a few seasons at Manchester, but this kid should solve the Kings' goaltending woes for a long time. He's a legend in Lewiston, Maine, where he backstopped the Maineiacs to a QMJHL title last season.

~ Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
22 years old (12.31.84) /52nd overall in 2003 Draft
The skinny: Nikolai Khabibulin and Patrick Lalime better be looking over their shoulders. Not only is this kid much younger, but he could also be that much better. The Blackhawks are relatively young, so Crawford should get a chance to grow with this team

~ Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
20 years old (08.16.87) / fifth overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: Repeat after me -- Who is Yann Danis? Who is Jaroslav Halak? Who is Cristobal Huet? Who is Yann Danis? Who is Jaroslav Halak? Who is Cristobal Huet? He's unlikely to make Habs fans forget Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy, but he's destined to make his run toward hockey greatness

~ Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
20 years old (03.20.87) / 21st overall in 2005 Draft (by Toronto)
The skinny: As much as Hound Central 3.0 is a big fan of Hannu Toivonen, it's easy to see why Boston traded him to St. Louis. Rask, who will get his seasoning in Providence, stands to be Bruins goalie of the future. Manny Fernandez and Tim Thomas are only keeping the crease roughed up for the Finn.

Feel free to check out last season's best young players.