Unlike Willis, 19-year-old Martin Havlat needed little time to show the Ottawa Senators that he belongs in the NHL. The Senators' No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft had 19 goals and 42 points through March, and the only question is how good the Czech teenager will be with more experience.

Havlat is the best of an excellent group of first-year European forwards that includes the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, of the Vancouver Canucks, and Marian Gaborik, the first draft pick in the history of the Minnesota Wild. The only thing to slowed Havlat down was a shoulder problem that sidelined him for three weeks.

"With his speed, he can create a lot of chances for himself and his teammates," says linemate Rob Zaumner. "Combine that with his attitude and you've got a great combination. Trying to speculate what he'll do in four or five years is incredible--he's only going to get bigger and stronger."

Havlat barely spoke English when he arrived at training camp in September, but his play spoke volumes. Given a lot of work during the preseason, he responded by earning a spot on one of the NHL's most talented young teams.

"I got a lot of chances in training camp," says Havlat, who fell to the 26th choice in the first round largely because he opted not to come to North America to play junior hockey. "I didn't know if I could make the team, but I wanted to find out."

Havlat is learning about off-ice life in North America, too. In December, he laid out $2,600 to buy a signed Wayne Gretzky jersey at a local charity auction. "I wanted to get it because Gretzky's such a great player," says Havlat, a big fan of No. 99, who admits to having some Gretzky hockey cards, too. Like Gretzky, Havlat has the ability to pull fans out of their seats. Says Zaumner, "He has the potential to be one of those guys that fans come out specifically to watch."