As the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics draw to a close over the next few days, that can only mean one thing. The return of NHL hockey.  With 20+ games remaining on the schedule, fantasy leagues, as well as the NHL, will be in the home stretch.  Some fantasy leagues are already sewn up perhaps, while most of the others are in heated races with the outcome far from conclusive.  It all makes for good fun and one of the reasons why we play this sport.  For those who like to keep an eye on next year regardless of their current fantasy league status, it's always good to get a head start.  PrimePucks™would like to give those non-PRIME+PLUS subscribers a peek at one oft he features of our subscription-based product. Below you will find a STOCKY HOCKEY 101 article from January 17, 2014 that focuses on next season. We hope you enjoy! STOCKY HOCKEY 101 - CAN'T WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR! JANUARY 17, 2014 It's about that point in the fantasy hockey season where you take a good, hard look at your team. Does your team have what it takes to go all the way in its current makeup?  Do you have the horses to finish in the top 3?  Or, should you be looking to prepare for next season?  Today we will take a look at potential breakout players for the 2014 season you should probably target now. Please take note that these players all were part of an NHL club during the Lockout season, which should be taken into account in your own analysis of players as it didn't constitute a full 82-game season. For forwards, a typical breakout year is usually in year 3 or 4 depending on the amount of games the player has played in those prior years along with the responsibilities and opportunities that were given or can arise. So, some of these players fall right, smack-dab in the middle of those prime breakout years. For the most part, high draft picks usually get the opportunity for more responsibility because of time and money invested in these draft selections.  They're usually of high pedigree so you can probably bank on them to at least get a considerate amount of opportunity.  In the case of the players we are about to discuss, if the team they play for moves players or let's others walk via free agency without dipping into that pool; you know that they have a more-than-reasonable chance to breakout. One player that comes to mind who has been given ample playing time with room to grow and has the offensive talent to jump up another level is Philadelphia flyer Sean Couturier. Since being selected with the eighth overall selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he has stuck with the team and seemed to fit right in playing in 77 games and notching 27 points while learning the defensive aspects of NHL life.  His second year in the league was a letdown as he played in 46 games of the Lockout season and only scoring 15 points.  Players usually slump in their sophomore year, the dreaded ‘sophomore jinx'.  He has more responsibility in his third season and has 21 points in 48 games played so far, but could see a jump in points for the second half, especially since the team had to overcome such a horrendous start to the season.  Next season will be his 3rd full season, or 3 ½ counting the Lockout season. Prime breakout potential in the 60-65 point range but may be limited by the forward s above him on the depth chart will probably still be on the team, but love his potential. Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog falls into the same category as Couturier although he was given major responsibility since Day 1. The number 2 overall selection in 2011 also had to deal with concussion issues, missing 12 games during the Lockout season. Landeskog will be entering his 3rd full year next season just like Couturier, so he is another candidate to breakout surpassing his previous high of 52 points in his rookie campaign. 70-75 point projection from the young talent for next season which could be moved higher depending on how he finishes this season.  He is currently on a 62 point pace, so he may reach that level this season.  He has already shown what he can do in the NHL and will only get better with more experience.  Paul Stastny will be an UFA at the end of the year, the only major player that the Avs stand to lose. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the 1st overall selection the same years as Couturier and Landeskog and was thrust into the lineup die to the Edmonton Oilers looking to spark their club after years of futility. RNH did not disappoint by scoring 52 points in 62 games played but slipped back in his sophomore year which can only be expected.  This year he seems to back to the way he was playing and scoring in his rookie season and depending on how the Oilers respond the rest of this season, he can build for a breakout next year, with expectations of a 70-75 point campaign. He did score 106 points in 69 games for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL before being drafted so you know the talent is there.  With the type of offensive talent surrounding RNH, he may not reach the century mark, but if things fall in place, 80 could be in his future. One player from that draft who is less known then the aforementioned trio is Winnipeg Jets Center Mark Scheifele. The 7th overall selection in the 2011 draft is playing in his first full season and has scored 26 points in 49 games so far. With the Jets switching out Claude noel for Paul Maurice behind the bench, opportunities may arise sooner than later for the youngster.  What is also intriguing is that Olli Jokinen and Devin Setoguchi will be UFAs at the end of this season and if not signed, could open up even more opportunities and responsibilities for Scheifele to have a major role in the Jets' offense next season. After only going 1-2-3 in 14 October games and 1-5-6 in 14 November games, he has picked up his game and scored 17 points in the past 21 games.  He should continue at his current pace as Maurice will give the talented Center ample ice time to see what he can do.  Even though he won't be entering the 3-4 year breakout range, he should still advance his game to the next level next year. One player who may be as talented as the aforementioned, if not more, is Montreal Canadien Alex Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk was drafted in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens after he slipped down to #3 because of concerns about his knee injury suffered playing for Sarnia.   Being selected at number 3 was probably a blessing in disguise for the talented Center, Left Winger, as 1st overall pick hasn't fared as well playing for the Edmonton Oilers. Galchenyuk played in the OHL during the 2012 Lockout and was ready to go once the NHL settled their dispute.  The young Hab played in all 48 games that season and did not look out of place, even able to showcase his talent by going 9-18-27 in those 48 games.  Galchenyuk came out of the gate like a house on fire, scoring 7 points in the first four games.  It certainly looked like he was going to set the world on fire.  But sophomore jinxes happen to the best of them and to Galchenyuk as well.  He slowed down considerably but make no mistake; he is capable of producing at that rate over a full season.  Remember, he was slated to go No. 1 overall before the knee injury and he did score 83 points in 68 games for Sarnia in 2010-2011. Going back to the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, one player is projected as a power forward, and with his size and speed, it shouldn't be too long before Ottawa Senator fans will be gushing over this talent. Mika Zibanejad was chosen 6th in the draft and received the almost obligatory 9 game stint to showcase that was in his arsenal. He returned to Ottawa in the Lockout season and was given lots of opportunities because f the plethora of injuries that occurred to the Sens last season. Too much burden to put on the shoulders of a young rookie, especially power forwards as they take longer to develop into solid contributors in the NHL.  After starting in the AHL this year, he was called upon early in the season and has remained with the big club, playing in 38 games and going 10-9-19.  With the team at practically full strength this year, Zibs was able to develop slowly and not carry the weight of the team.  He does posses the tools but may be a few years away from being a true fantasy stud. With the season more than halfway through and the Winter Olympics at our doorsteps, it is time to make an appraisal of your team and see what the next step or steps should be. We started you off with 6 potential breakout players that can be difference makers come next season.  It's never too early to look forward to next year, even if you are in competition for the current one.  It's just good to know ahead of time what the future may hold.