Keith Yandle

While they may be All-Stars, not every player playing in Sunday's game is on the radar of your average sports fan. That is going to change after they see what these stars are capable of. 

Playing on bad and/or small market teams has kept these studs relatively unknown. After they shine on a stage with the rest of the world's best, that is no longer going to be the case. 

John Tavares, C, New York Islanders

There's a new trend in the NHL these days. Captains seem to be getting younger and younger.

In 2007, Sidney Crosby was named captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the age of 19, becoming the youngest captain in NHL history.

Two years later, it was Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks, who at 20 became the third-youngest captain in NHL history.

The next year, Alexander Ovechkin at 24 became the second-youngest captain in Washington Capitals history.

The following list takes a look at several young players who are most likely to follow in these footsteps.

Keith Yandle has been the glue that's been holding together a struggling Phoenix Coyotes team. As it stands now, the Coyotes sit in ninth place in the Western Conference with 39 points, and the team is currently under .500.

 It's a tough thing to watch, especially since the Coyotes have plenty of talent on their roster. They just can't seem to pull it all together. 

With at most three games left in the Stanley Cup Finals the next most interesting part of the NHL season is about to begin.

Once again Leafs Nation will be sitting at the edge of their seat for the most part of the offseason in anticipation for what the crafty Brian Burke will do.

With that in mind here are the top 20 players who should at least be on Burke's radar through trades and free agency.

Most members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) including myself will vote on the best defenseman in the NHL for the 2010-11 campaign very soon.

This year’s race has been one of the more interesting ones.

When it comes to hockey, especially fantasy hockey, you have to be prepared for anything. 

The NHL’s regular season definitely created a plethora of shock and surprises for fantasy hockey owners.  From backup goalies turning in Vezina-worthy performances, to superstars being stalled with sudden and serious injuries, fantasy owners were cross-checked by a number of events that most people could have never predicted. 

Here is a look at fantasy hockey’s 10 biggest surprises during the 2010-11 season

Hockey fans favorite time of year are drawing ever closer. The Stanley Cup Playoffs. Athletes and fans of all sports alike have time and time again agreed on one thing, there is no trophy in all of professional sports more difficult to claim than the Stanley Cup. Four grueling rounds in best of seven play. One of last years showcased talents was Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi (pictured). A virtually unknown goalie that made his statement early, and made it known.

Where is the love?

There are so many great players in the NHL that a few tend to get left behind in the minds of the masses.

This is a tribute to the top 25 players who don't get enough credit for what they do.

For the record, salary is irrelevant in this discussion. This is all about what a guy brings to a team every night. For example, Kimmo Timonen's $6.33 million salary didn't keep him off this list.

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For now, there might be some disappointment, but gaining a roster spot for the up-coming NHL All-Star Game is not a huge priority for Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle.

If you ask Yandle, a 24-year-old native of Boston, an All-Star selection is much ado about nothing. Sure, this would be something special, he indicated, but certainly not a consequence from which he will lose any sleep.

In this Week 14 edition of the Fantasy Hot players, sophomore sensation John Tavares of the New York Islanders is starting to show his true potential in this league.

The Phoenix Coyotes boast two players heating up in fantasy circles and you'll want to make sure both are inserted into your lineups as soon as possible. But which Coyotes are gearing up for the kill?

Which other players are starting to make noise this week in fantasy?

Note:  Stats are taken from December 27 to January 3.