Preseason play often brings a few surprises. While stars like Connor McDavid are expected to excel if involved in this short slate of contests, and solid vets may be extra motivated to torch the ice against less-than-equal competition, others use this time as a springboard up their team’s prospect ranks hoping to prove their promise and earn an NHL roster spot. Here is a variety that stood out among the best over the past few weeks. 

Forwards

Brock Boeser, Vancouver

Boeser is expected by to contend for the Calder and certainly looked up to it this preseason. With seven points in five contests (four goals, three assists and a plus-five) the 23^rd overall 2015 selection has likely locked up a second-line right wing spot next to Horvat and Baertschi. Following his outstanding work (four goals, an assist, 16.0 shot percentage and 4.4 Corsi rel) with the same supporting cast during the final nine games of 2016-17 he hasn’t shown any reason to start the year at AHL Utica. Look for his production to continue and perhaps elevate Vancouver’s overall level of play.  

Jake Virtanen, Vancouver

Another Vancouver hopeful, one who slipped out of the limelight recently, made a strong case to return. Virtanen’s draft stock was even higher than Boeser’s as he was taken with the sixth overall pick in 2014, but coming off a less-than-stellar year and questions about his attitude and conditioning along with just 19 points in 65 AHL contests, his prospects seemed to dim. With former Utica head coach Travis Green now at the helm of the Canucks, the power forward has blazed out to a great preseason start with four goals and two assists in six games amid talk of him earning the third-line opening night right wing spot. His 200-foot game has been very impressive, along with a renewed physical presence. You can find Virtanen’s weight listed anywhere from 207 to 229 pounds on various profiles, and he likely has increased muscle over the off-season to enhance his game which, at best, includes a high motor and superior skating skills. 

Kailer Yamamoto, Edmonton

Yamamoto has proven he belongs. Facing well-publicized doubts centering around his 5-08, 154-pound frame the 19-year-old rookie looks to have landed a roster spot with the Oilers. His right wing work on the second line with Lucic and Nugent-Hopkins and on the second power-play unit, among other places, has him tied with last year’s top rookies Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine for most NHL preseason goals (five). He’s continued the highly competitive, cerebral, non-stop play he was known best for with WHL Spokane while battling tough along the boards and in front of the net. Though an opening night spot seems almost sure, it’ll be interesting to see if he can make it past the nine-game limit prior to a potential return to juniors. If he does, and can withstand the rigors of the NHL, don’t be surprised if he puts up some impressive numbers for a first-year pro.

Defense

Brad Hunt, Vegas

Hunt has nearly always been a scorer, registering 209 points over 287 AHL contests and adding five points in nine games with St. Louis last December and January. He continued the trend while leading Vegas in scoring this preseason with a goal and five assists, including a plus-4 in four contests. He’s not known as the most skilled defensive rearguard however, and with a glut of left-handed Knights’ defensemen Hunt will have a tough time making the final cut. As it is, lefty Jason Garrison looks a likely to play right side defense on perhaps even their top pairing. Nonetheless, the 29-year-old undersized Hunt (5-09, 188 pounds) attracted attention this September and might add to his 33 games of NHL playing time this year. It doesn’t look like that will occur on opening night, and perhaps not at all with VGK and their overstocked blue line, but a needy squad could come knocking as injuries occur.

Samuel Girard, Nashville

Samuel Girard may be the Predators medium-term answer to replace injured defenseman Ryan Ellis. Fast on skates with fantastic offensive skills and even greater promise, he matches Ellis’ 5-10 frame with a bit less bulk, weighing in at just 162 pounds and shooting from the left side instead of the right like Ellis. At age 19 there are understandable concerns about him being able to fill the bill, but after a preseason during which he skated more than 20 minutes in each of his five contests, including 24:02 against Columbus, he may be primed to join the league’s best defensive corps on opening night. Leading QMJHL defensemen in points in both of the past two campaigns, registering 19 goals and a whopping 130 assists, he’s proven a gifted distributor who can hold up his end on defense. 

Jalen Chatfield, Vancouver

Joining several Canuck training camp standouts, Chatfield shined as one of Vancouver’s best preseason blueliners while showcasing his mobile game and outstanding puck movement skills. After helping Windsor take the Memorial Cup last season as a top pairing, Chatfield further impressed with solid defensive chops and two goals and three assists in two contests. The right shot rearguard will head to AHL Utica as the year begins, but his 21-year-old energetic and effective two-way game will be in the call-up conversation should an NHL need arise.

Goalies

Semyon Varlamov, Colorado

As mentioned last week, if healthy, Varlamov should improve upon last year’s 6-17-0, 3.38, .898. He’s off to a good start this preseason, tied for the NHL lead with three wins and among the best with a 1.50 goals-against and .948 save percentage. He looks healed from the groin injuries that plagued him last year, and at least in September play he’s been supported decently by the much-maligned Colorado defense. We’ll see if that holds up in the long haul, but there’s hope in Colorado on offense including a possibly effective MacKinnon/Grigorenko/Andrighetto top trio, or perhaps new addition Alexander Kerfoot after himself excelling in camp (two goals and three assists) joining the first line. Rising prospects Tyson Jost and J.T. Compher, among others could generate further point production helping bring Varlamov some wins and back to mid-level starting goalie territory.

Alex Stalock, Minnesota

With a .947 save percentage, 1.51 goals-against and a shutout this preseason, former Sharks number two Stalock beat out Niklas Svedberg (with an impressive .951, 1.69 showing himself) for Devan Dubnyk’s backup role. That job should take on more importance this year after the Wild’s starting netkeep faded along with the rest of the squad as 2016-17 drew to a close. After 63 starts, a number increased due to then backup Darcy Kuemper’s ineffective play, Dubnyk should get a bit more rest this year. Look for local St. Paul native Stalock, prior to Martin Jones’ emergence seen as the heir to San Jose’s top goalie job, to improve Wild options and help save Dubnyk for a hopefully longer postseason run.

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