The NHL’s Central Division’s Next Five Breakout Stars

Apr 27, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman

(25) shoots the puck during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. The Wild won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

• #3: Jonas Brodin

Jonas Brodin isn’t a household name just yet, but he could be very soon. His first season in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild was a great one, scoring 11 points in 45 games, all as a 20-year old. Brodin’s offensive production wasn’t staggering, but defensively, he was as solid as they come. Brodin shut down some of the league’s best all season long, and led all rookies in Time On Ice with an average of over 23 minutes a game.

A player that young with that much defensive responsibility is rare, but Brodin handled it well, going +3 on the year, and even spending time on the penalty kill and power-play, impressive for a rookie. Brodin was left out of Rookie Of The Year voting, and he looks to show everyone what a mistake that was, in 2013-14. With Ryan Suter leading the way on the Wild’s blue-line, Brodin can continue in a supporting role, and will have a chance to improve his game against the powerhouse offenses in Chicago and St. Louis.