Michigan names to watch in 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs


By @StefanKubus –

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Wednesday night.

For some Michigan names, it’ll be their first opportunities to compete for the most decorated trophy in all of sports. For others, Wednesday marks another chance. Here’s MiHockey’s list of Michigan names to watch on the 16 teams’ opening-night rosters in contention for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

 

Western Conference

Anaheim DucksRyan Kesler (Livonia; USA Hockey’s NTDP alum), Rickard Rakell (Plymouth Whalers alum), Andrew Cogliano (University of Michigan alum), Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, NTDP alum), John Gibson (NTDP alum), Ryan Miller (East Lansing; Michigan State alum), Troy Terry (NTDP alum), Derek Grant (Michigan State alum)

Colorado Avalanche – JT Compher (NTDP, UM alum), Matt Nieto (NTDP alum), Colin Wilson (NTDP alum), Erik Johnson (NTDP alum), David Warsofsky (NTDP alum)

Los Angeles Kings – Alec Martinez (Rochester Hills; NTDP alum), Kevin Gravel (Kingsford native), Jack Campbell (Port Huron; NTDP alum), Derek Forbort (NTDP alum)

Minnesota Wild – Ryan Suter (NTDP alum), Zach Parise (NTDP alum), Jason Zucker (Compuware, NTDP alum), Jordan Greenway (NTDP alum), Louie Belpedio (NTDP alum)

Nashville Predators – Austin Watson (Ann Arbor), Ryan Hartman (Plymouth Whalers, NTDP alum)

San Jose Sharks — Kevin Labanc (NTDP alum)

Vegas Golden Knights – Ryan Carpenter (HoneyBaked alum), Alex Tuch (NTDP alum), Jon Merrill (NTDP, UM alum)

Winnipeg Jets — Andrew Copp (Ann Arbor; NTDP, UM alum), Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce), Jacob Trouba (Rochester; NTDP, UM alum), Kyle Connor (Shelby Township; UM alum)

 

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins – Torey Krug (Livonia; MSU alum), Charlie McAvoy (NTDP alum), Matt Grzelcyk (NTDP alum)

Columbus Blue Jackets – Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe; NTDP, UM alum), Nick Foligno (NTDP alum), Jack Johnson (Ann Arbor; NTDP, UM alum), Seth Jones (NTDP alum), Ian Cole (Ann Arbor; NTDP alum), Sonny Milano (NTDP, Plymouth Whalers alum)

New Jersey Devils Andy Greene (Trenton), Kyle Palmieri (NTDP alum), Corey Schneider (NTDP alum), Stefan Noesen (Plymouth Whalers alum), Jimmy Hayes (NTDP alum), Will Butcher (NTDP alum), Blake Coleman (Belle Tire alum)

Philadelphia Flyers N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins – Carl Hagelin (UM alum), Phil Kessel (NTDP alum), Bryan Rust (Pontiac; NTDP alum), Jamie Oleksiak (Little Caesars alum)

Tampa Bay Lightning – Chris Kunitz (Ferris State alum), JT Miller (NTDP, Plymouth Whalers alum)

Toronto Maple Leafs – Zach Hyman (UM alum), Auston Matthews (NTDP alum), James van Riemsdyk (NTDP alum), Connor Carrick (NTDP, Plymouth Whalers alum), Ron Hainsey (NTDP alum)

Washington Capitals – Tom Wilson (Plymouth Whalers alum), Travis Boyd (NTDP alum), Shane Gersich (NTDP alum)