Pacific Division Breakout Candidates

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been looking at players with the potential to have a breakout season, I have looked at the Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central Divisions, and now it is time to close it out with a look at the Pacific Division, team by team.

May 26, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) controls the puck against Los Angeles Kings center Brad Richardson (15) during the third period in game six of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. The Sharks defeated the Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

ANAHEIM DUCKS

May 9, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) during the warm-up session before the first period against Montreal Canadiens in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Jakob Silfverberg – The second year NHLer got a good taste of the North American game last year with the Senators and the former Swedish Elite League MVP is primed to have an outstanding second year, now with the Ducks.  His release will gain him power play opportunities, and will play with either Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry or with Teemu Selanne.

CALGARY FLAMES

Apr 25, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) and Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) race towards the puck during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Flames 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Mikael Backlund – The Flames have been waiting for the Swedish centre to emerge as a scoring threat at the NHL level, and with a full-blown rebuild in the works, the club can give him a chance to bloom into that role, so they can see what they have in him.  He in now 24 years old and on the verge of being pigeon-holed as a third liner if he can’t put up some numbers.  He has the talent, now it is a matter of siezing the opportunity.

EDMONTON OILERS

April 19 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) defends his net during the second period of the game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Devan Dubnyk – It has been ages since the Oilers blue line has had the talent and depth that it currently does.  Now the onus is on the promising Dubnyk to deliver the performance behind that blue line that keeps the Oilers in games and on a playoff track.  He has long been the guy who can be adequate on a mediocre team, but now that the core has increased expectations, so will Dubnyk.

LOS ANGELES KINGS

May 14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates after a goal by center Trevor Lewis (22) in the third period against the San Jose Sharks during game two of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Sharks 4-3 to take a 2-0 series lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Toffoli – The 2012-13 AHL rookie of the year got a taste of the NHL last season and equated himself very well.  Now he should be a full-time NHLer and could be slotted in on the wing with Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.  Toffoli is my pick for the NHL rookie of the year, and 25-30 goals wouldn’t be a shock to me.

PHOENIX COYOTES

Jan. 28, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes defenseman David Rundblad (2) shoots the puck during the first period against the Nashville Predators at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

David Rundblad – This will be the 3rd North American season for Rundblad, who has yet to make his mark.  the former Senators defenseman will be kept in the NHL for better or worse this season, and he needs to start to fulfill the potential that he exhibited as the Swedish Elite League’s best defesneman three seasons ago.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

May 18, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi (7) attempts to block a shot by San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Couture – While you might think last season was his breakout year, I think that is just the tip of the iceberg for Couture.  His hockey IQ is incredible, and if he can get some consistent linemates, he could be a top 10 scorer in the NHL.  San Jose has tended to be a jumble among the top 6 forwards, but getting some structure to the lineup would help Couture reach his potential.