Heres our weekly look at the fortunes of some of the games brightest young stars. Behold, the latest under-24 player rankings.HotRyan Johansen, C, Nashville PredatorsThe Predators -- who have gone 8-3-0 in their past 11 games and moved into a tie for third in the Central Division -- are becoming the team many thought theyd be before the season. Goalie?Pekka Rinne is a key part of that: The veteran has been stellar for the past month or so. But also impressive has been the play of Johansen, a franchise center who is approaching his one-year anniversary in Nashville. The 23-year-old had just one goal in his first 18 games, but has scored four, along with three assists, in his past four games. And three of those goals were game winners.?Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton OilersEveryone knows that captain and NHL scoring leader Connor McDavid is driving the Oilers bus. He has 15 points in his past seven games, which has kept Edmonton in first place in the Pacific Division. But this teams ability to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006 will depend as much on its depth, and that is starting to shine through, most notably in the form of Draisaitl. The big 21-year-old was the third overall pick in 2014. He has five goals -- including four on the power play -- and five assists in the past seven games. The Oilers went 4-2-1 during that stretch.Dougie Hamilton, D, Calgary FlamesI rarely tire of Flames president Brian Burke when he gets a bee in his bonnet, and this week the bees buzzing around Burke and the Flames were trade rumors involving Hamilton, a 23-year-old who has struggled to find his way since coming to Calgary from the?Boston Bruins?in a much-heralded 2015 draft-weekend trade. Burke said that unless some team is coming to the table with 20 first-round picks, the Flames are not interested in moving Hamilton. Credit Hamilton, however, with pushing all this to the side as he collected six assists in his past eight games, including a three-assist performance against the?Detroit Red Wings.?The ninth-overall pick in 2011 has averaged north of 20 minutes a night of ice time in six of his past seven games as he and the Flames tried to claw back into the playoff discussion in the Pacific Division after a miserable start.NotAustin Czarnik, RW, Boston BruinsI love Czarnik. Hes undersized but has significant heart. The undrafted 23-year-old Washington, Michigan, native has forced the Bruins to open up a roster spot for him with his diligence and skills. But if hes going to stick around long-term, Czarnik will have to find ways to contribute for Boston, which has found scoring a difficult proposition on a nightly basis. (The Bruins are tied for 24th in goals per game and are tied for 21st on the power play.) Czarnik continues to get man-advantage time but has scored just one goal in his past 11 games and one assist in his past 10 games for a team that would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today, but is by no means considered a lock.Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg JetsThe Jets are floundering again and until they get their goaltending situation sorted out, its hard to imagine them as a legitimate playoff contender in spite of its impressive offensive arsenal. Its clear head coach Paul Maurice has little confidence in backup Michael Hutchinson, given that Hutchinson has started just eight games and has just two wins. But starter Hellebuyck, 23, has also struggled, losing five of seven and allowing 20 goals in those five losses -- including giving up a six-spot Thursday night in a 6-3 home loss against the Oilers. Overall, Hellebuyck -- a member of Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey -- has a mediocre 2.76 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.Joonas Donskoi, RW, San Jose SharksLast spring, Donskoi, 24, emerged as a key contributor for the Sharks, who advanced to their first Stanley Cup finals. He chipped in six goals and six assists, including an overtime winner during the finals. San Jose is poised for a return to the playoffs -- and perhaps another deep run -- but Donskoi, the 99th pick in the 2010 draft, has struggled so far. He has just two goals in 24 games and has not scored since Oct. 29.?Young guns showdownRickard Rakell, RW, Anaheim Ducks versus?Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton OilersThis is a nice, juicy contest between two Pacific Division foes. The Ducks are starting to get their act together -- thanks, in part, to the arrival of young restricted free agents?Hampus Lindholm and Rakell, who didnt sign until Oct. 14. Rakell has been aces, scoring nine goals in his first 15 games and adding four assists. McDavid, of course, is on a tear and has opened up a six-point lead in the NHL scoring race over the?Tampa Bay Lightnings?Nikita Kucherov?through Thursday. Can the Ducks slow down the NHLs most dynamic player? Stay tuned. Latrell Sprewell Warriors Jersey . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. David West Jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. https://www.warriorsrookiesshop.com/Tim-Hardaway-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Draymond Green Jersey . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. Rick Barry Jersey . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. The Seattle Mariners announced Thursday they picked up outfielder Seth Smiths $7 million team option for 2017 and declined catcher Chris Iannettas $4.25 million option.Smith, 34, hit?.249/.342/.415 in 137 games last season. He had 16 home runs, 63 RBIs, 48 walks and 89 strikeouts in 378 at-bats.?In 94 games in 2016, Iannetta batted .210/.303/.329 with seven home runs and 244 RBIs.dddddddddddd The 33-year-old walked 38 times and struck out 83 times in 295 at-bats.?The Mariners also reinstated right-hander Nathan Karns from the 60-day disabled list, which he was moved to in early September because of a back injury.? ' ' '
