Remember that moment of uncertainty back in school when
report cards were sent home? That moment when you were sure that you aced a
class but wondered if the teacher saw it differently? Or, conversely, that
moment when you silently hoped that D you thought you'd have to explain to your
parents might, miraculously, become a C instead?
Progress reports are always stressful, but ultimately, they
serve as equal parts validation and motivation. So we decided to hand out
report cards to all 31 teams as they head down the stretch of the season to the
trade deadline. Stats are collected from sites like Corsica, Natural Stat
Trick and Hockey Reference.
It's time to separate the honor roll from those headed for
detention.
METROPOLITAN
DIVISION
PITTSBURGH
PENGUINS
Preseason over/under: 102.5
Current points pace: 98
Forwards: B+
The Pens score a ton (3.49 goals per game, fifth in the
league). No, Evgeni Malkin doesn't
look like himself, but he's still at higher than a point-per-game pace. The
Pens would like better production from their bottom six, but what team
wouldn't?
Defense: B-
The Penguins have managed shorthanded (without Justin
Schultz) thanks to Kris Letang's
bounce-back season and Marcus
Pettersson, who has charmed since being acquired from the Ducks. The
team is allowing too many shots though, nearly 33 per game.
Goalies: B
Matt Murray had
concerning play to start the season, but since returning from injury in
mid-December he is 10-1-0 with a .944 save percentage. Casey DeSmith is
developing quite nicely and has the numbers (.917 save percentage through 28
games) to prove it.
Special teams: A-
Once again, the power play has the ability to be lethal, and
the Pens rank sixth in the league (24.8 percent). The penalty kill also ranks
sixth in the league (83.3 percent).
Coach: A-
Mike Sullivan is a coach who is constantly making
adjustments, and that helped pull the Penguins out of a poor start into a
scorching hot December. It doesn't feel like Pittsburgh has hit its full
potential just yet.
GM: A-
Jim Rutherford is a GM who is never satisfied. He probably
overpaid for Jack Johnson in
free agency, but his midseason adjustments -- specifically, swapping Daniel Sprong for
Pettersson -- have turned out to be just what the team needed. Does he have
another move up his sleeve before the deadline?
Class president: Kris Letang
He hasn't been flawless. But the fact that the team's No. 1
defenseman has returned to form has been pivotal, as he's averaging 26-plus
minutes per game, his second-best career average.
In danger of failing: Derick
Brassard
Not the best way to go into free agency. Brassard was so
coveted as a No. 3 center heading into last season's trade deadline, and now
finds himself expendable, and likely to be traded.
It has been a streaky four months for Sidney Crosby &
Co. -- from goaltending to winning and losing in bunches -- but the Penguins
still lurk in good playoff position and look to hit their stride at the right
time.
CAROLINA
HURRICANES
Preseason over/under: 85.5
Current points pace: 89
Forwards: C
Another team carried exclusively by their top line. The
Canes have endured some anemic stretches, which might cost them a playoff spot.
Acquiring scoring help is an extreme necessity.
Defense: A-
Carolina might have the deepest blue line in the NHL, full
stop. They'll likely auction a defenseman off in a trade, for scoring help;
though let's laud these guys for allowing the fewest shots per game in the
league.
Goalies: C
The Scott Darling situation
is unfortunate. Carolina thought it might have a decent backup option in Petr Mrazek,
but they lucked out on waivers with Curtis
McElhinney, who has put up gratifying performances and a .914 save
percentage.
Special teams: C-
Another year of a drab power play (it ranks 23rd in the
league). At least there are signs of hope that it can be fixed; in one
four-game stretch earlier this month, the Canes scored five power-play goals.
Coach: B
Dealing with limited resources, rookie head coach Rod
Brind'Amour has churned a lot out of this group. They're having
fun and buying in to his up-tempo style. But they still don't look like a
playoff team.
GM: B-
There have been some shrewd moves: the Calvin De Haan
offseason acquisition, grabbing McElhinney on waivers and the trade to
land Nino
Niederreiter. There have also been some misses. We hope this team
won't be stunted by frugality.
Class president: Sebastian Aho
The third-year forward began the season with a 12-game point
streak and never let up; Aho is now at 57 points in 50 games. He is the team's
most consistent and exciting forward.
In danger of failing: Scott Darling
It's an unfortunate situation, but there's a chance we'll
never see Darling fully realize his full potential as an NHL starter.
They're having fun, they're still rocking great Corsi
figures and ... they're still not in the playoff picture. There's a lot of
potential here, but Carolina isn't quite ready to level up yet.
COLUMBUS BLUE
JACKETS
Preseason over/under: 97.5
Current points pace: 99
Forwards: B+
The Blue Jackets have blossomed as a top-10 scoring team,
and it's not just the Artemi Panarin show. The entire first line has been
sensational, with Cam Atkinson (28
goals) and Pierre Luc Dubois (18) pulling weight. The second line is tough to
play against, but production trails after that.
Defense: A-
The Blue Jackets are getting production from their
defensemen, who control shot share and push the pace of play. The blueliners
have been crucial, with the team getting less-than-expected production in net.
Goalies: B
As Sergei
Bobrovsky enters contract uncertainty, it hasn't been his best
season; he has allowed three or more goals on 20 occasions, sandwiched by some
signature strong play. Joonas Korpisalo has
emerged as a proficient No. 2.
Special teams: B-
The power play is once again a burden (ranking 27th in the
league at the break), but at least the team is addressing it, hiring Martin St.
Louis as a consultant. Columbus has a top-10 penalty kill.
Coach: A
John Tortorella gets an A solely for this: The team's two
most talented players are mired in dramatic contract situations, something that
could derail a locker room. And yet, it hasn't felt like a distraction at all.
Kudos to a veteran coach for keeping the group on message.
GM: B-
Jarmo
Kekalainen made a good bet on Anthony
Duclair and a whiff (so far) on Riley Nash. How he ultimately
handles Bobrovsky and Panarin -- the most pressing decisions for any GM this
year -- will be the basis for ultimate judgement.
Class president: Cam Atkinson
On pace for 48 goals and 85 points -- which would shatter
his previous career bests of 35 goals and 62 points, set in 2016-17 --
Atkinson's offensive surge eases a bit of the anxiety over potentially losing
Panarin at the trade deadline.
In danger of failing: Riley Nash
He was the Blue Jackets' only big free-agent acquisition
(signed to a three-year, $8.25 million deal to shore up center depth) and
hasn't matched the expectations, recording just six points while averaging
10:30 of ice time per game and potentially having a career-worst season in the
faceoff circle (43.2 percent).
It's been a season beset by uncertainty behind the scenes
given the looming free agency of Panarin and Bobrovsky, and yet the Blue
Jackets have played distraction-free hockey. Depending on how the trade
deadline shakes out, could this be the year they finally win a playoff series?
NEW JERSEY
DEVILS
Preseason over/under: 91.5
Current points pace: 75
Forwards: C+
Taylor Hall's
prolonged absence leaves a unit that needs playmakers. Six players have
double-digit goal totals, which is promising.
Defense: D+
This defense lacks two things: depth and dominant players.
That means the Devils are often playing catch up; they've allowed the
fifth-most goals in the league at 3.37 per game.
Goalies: D+
Rookie MacKenzie Blackwood has shined of late, which helps
forgive for what the Devils got out of the position at the beginning of the
season, which was dreadful. Keith Kinkaid crashed
back to Earth, while we might have seen the last of Cory
Schneider.
Special teams: B+
If there's a silver lining to this Devils' season, it's the
penalty kill, which has been consistently excellent. New Jersey has the
second-best mark in the league at 87.4 the power play ranks 18th.
Coach: C+
Coming off the finest season in his career, it's hard to
fault John Hynes too much for New Jersey's current state. He wants his team to
play more physical, let's see how his team responds.
GM: C+
Rob Shero did nothing to address his defense in the
offseason, and the results show. Of course, Shero is in for the long play, and
he likely predicted this regression, therefore, he isn't giving his team every
resource -- just yet.
Class president: Kyle Palmieri
He filled in for Taylor Hall at All-Star Weekend, which was
emblematic of his role for the Devils this season. In the absence of the
reigning MVP, the 27-year-old Palmieri is carrying the load, on pace for a
career-high 39 goals.
In danger of failing: Cory Schneider
The 32-year-old Schneider is on the books for $6 million
over the next three seasons, which leaves the Devils in a predicament. He's
slow, allows goals in bunches and looks like he might not ever fully recover
from hip surgery.
We knew the team would likely take a step back from last
season's revelation, but not quite like this. Plagued by poor goaltending and a
lack of playmakers, the Devils are biding their time in the rebuild.
NEW YORK
ISLANDERS
Preseason over/under: 82.5
Current points pace: 105
Forwards: B+
The Islanders are able to roll out four lines, independent
of matchups. New York has been able to get balanced production, though there
are weak spots -- the third line, particularly, has had a few rough patches.
Defense: A
The Islanders were last in goals against at 3.57 per game
last season, and hit the All-Star break in first this season, at 2.41. Credit
is due to goaltending, but also a refocused bunch led by a healthy Johnny
Boychuk and top partner Nick Leddy.
Others have stepped up, too; Scott
Mayfield and Devon Toews have
been delights.
Goalies: A
After detailing past battles with alcoholism and bipolar
disorder, the new scenery and structure has worked wonders for Robin Lehner,
who at $1.5 million is the league's 46th-highest-paid goaltender. At the break,
he led the league in save percentage (.931) with a stingy 2.02 GAA. Thomas Greiss has
played terrific as well.
Special teams: D
The Islanders' 5-on-5 numbers are spectacular. Conversely,
the power play (ranking 24th at the break) and penalty kill (22nd) are not.
Coach: A
Barry Trotz won the midseason Coach of the Year Award, as
voted by the Pro Hockey Writers Association. What he has been able to do with
this team -- motivating a buy in post-John Tavares, creating a defensive
structure -- is nothing short of extraordinary.
GM: A-
We were skeptical of Lou Lamoriello this summer. After
losing Tavares, it appeared the strategy was to sign every fourth-line forward
available. Some of the patchwork fixes have worked. The goaltending
acquisitions have been huge. Signing Trotz was a grand slam.
Class president: Robin Lehner
Lehner's renaissance is the league's most compelling
comeback story. His resurgence aligns perfectly with the Islanders' resurgence.
In danger of failing: The power play
The man-advantage unit has been a momentum killer at times.
Perhaps a trade-deadline acquisition -- the Islanders could be in on any of the
top forwards available -- could add a jolt and reward this group for its strong
start.
The Islanders are the most impressive first-half team in the
league. There was no pity after losing the franchise center. The once-porous
defense and goaltending suddenly are strengths.
NEW YORK
RANGERS
Preseason over/under: 75.5
Current points pace: 82
Forwards: C
Mika
Zibanejad, Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider are
thriving under new coach David Quinn. Mostly everyone else is underperforming,
with high-profile youngsters -- namely Pavel
Buchnevich, Filip Chytil and Lias
Andersson, who has been shuttling to the AHL -- taking longer to fit
in.
Defense: C-
This eight-man rotation just isn't working. It's a blend of
bloated contracts (Kevin
Shattenkirk, Marc Staal),
streakiness (Brady Skjei)
and youngsters who are raw. New York has allowed the sixth-most goals in the
league at five-on-five, and fourth-most shots per game.
Goalies: B
Henrik
Lundqvist's win in the Save Streak competition at All-Star weekend
was perfectly emblematic of his current role with the Rangers: down to the last
chance, still capable of brilliance, ultimately it's inconsequential.
Special teams: C-
The power play hovers around the league average -- Zibanejad
has been particularly lethal here, with 16 power-play points -- but the penalty
kill ranked 26th entering the All-Star break.
Coach: C+
Taking the job at the cusp of the rebuild? That's no easy
task. Quinn is trying to motivate via benchings and is teaching by holding more
intensive practices than his predecessor. The results should come eventually,
but it's definitely going to be a process.
GM: B-
The letter to fans came out about a year ago outlining the
rebuild, and to this point, management has stayed true to the plan. Full marks
for that. Even bigger marks if they can recoup value at the deadline.
Class president: Mika Zibanejad
Among veterans, he might be the Rangers' only untouchable
forward at the deadline, or at least he should be. The 25-year-old center will
likely smash his previous career high of 51 points. As of the break, he was on
pace for 75.
In danger of failing: Mats
Zuccarello
For most of the first half, the Norwegian fan favorite was
mired in a terrible slump. The impending UFA is a good bet to be gone by the
trade deadline, and unfortunately, his value is quite low.
Rebuild commence. The first month was a red herring, and
there will be difficult months ahead. As long as the team sticks to the plan,
though, this season will be remembered as the roughest in the transition.
PHILADELPHIA
FLYERS
Preseason over/under: 97.5
Current points pace: 79
Forwards: C-
The Flyers are 22nd in the league, averaging just 2.82 goals
per game. The big-free agent acquisition, James van
Riemsdyk, took a while to get going while other players the Flyers
are depending on -- Nolan Patrick and Jakub Voracek --
have been frustrating.
Defense: C
The team's two most talented defensemen, Shayne
Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov,
are having off seasons. There have been bright spots, though. See: Radko Gudas, Robert Hagg.
Philadelphia has allowed 3.4 goals per game, fourth-most in the league, but
goaltending is partially to blame.
Goalies: D
Hextall was preaching patience, but its evident Hart is
ready to be a star ... now. His recent emergence masks what was becoming a
historically hysterical game of musical chairs for Flyers goalies. The
collective struggles nearly cost the team the season.
Special teams: F
The Flyers have the worst power play in the league. They're
at risk of finishing below 12.2 percent, which is the record for a franchise
worst-mark (set in 1967-68). Philadelphia has the fourth-least-efficient
penalty kill in the league.
Coach: INC
Dave Hakstol's message was getting stale with the players,
so he got the cut. Now it appears Scott Gordon is giving a jolt, but it's too
early to tell if it's sustainable.
GM: INC
Chuck Fletcher inherited a roster in peril. He has
threatened seismic moves -- everyone is available, it seems, besides Claude Giroux and Carter Hart --
and he'll be closely scrutinized at the deadline.
Class president: Carter Hart
The numbers are impressive: a .922 save percentage through
his first 13 starts. Yes, it's a small sample size, but Hart has given fans a
reason to believe and the team something to rally around. He's not a
franchise-saver, but it feels like saving this season.
In danger of failing: Every goalie not named
Carter Hart
The Flyers have already tied the NHL record for cycling
through seven goaltenders in a season. The six used before Hart arrived ranged
from unlucky to inept.
The team had high hopes, but expectations spiraled quickly.
Coach Hakstol and GM Ron Hextall became
quick casualties as new GM Fletcher is forced to salvage the roster.
WASHINGTON
CAPITALS
Preseason over/under: 97.5
Current points pace: 98
Forwards: B
Alex Ovechkin is
on another ridiculous tear and the Capitals can score in bunches; plus, they
have the league's fourth-best shooting percentage (11.2). But that's masking
some depth issues. Evgeny
Kuznetsov, Lars Eller and
the third line are underperforming.
Defense: B-
The Caps have had to weather injuries to Christian
Djoos and Brooks Orpik,
as well as a few lapses by other regulars. Overall though, it's very similar to
last year's group; the promotion of Todd Reirden (who
was previously in charge of defense as an assistant) has allowed for stability.
Goalies: B+
Braden Holtby was
selected to his fourth-straight All-Star Game and has been solid enough,
although we know he is capable of more. New backup Pheonix
Copley, meanwhile, has been one of the best surprises, with 10 wins
in his first 15 appearances.
Special teams: C
The power play began the season hot (20-for-67 in the first
21 games) but slumped from Dec. 15 on (6-for-52) and now ranks 10th in the
league at 21.8 percent. The penalty kill, which ranks 25th, has allowed
multiple power-play goals on 10 different occasions.
Coach: B
As a rookie head coach, Reirden has been as even keel as
they come. With a veteran roster, there isn't too much space for coaching,
although he'll be tested to pull the team out of the midseason funk.
GM: B+
There's not a lot of reason to criticize Brian McClellan.
After rightfully keeping the band (mostly) together, he has been able to find
depth replacements for defense (Jonas
Siegenthaler) and goaltending (Pheonix Copley) from within.
Class president: Alex Ovechkin
It feels like this team goes as their captain goes, and my
oh my has the 33-year-old been hot. Ovechkin has more than double the amount of
goals of any other Capital.
In danger of failing: Andre
Burakovsky
In the final campaign of a two-year bridge contract,
Burakovsky has not been able to consistently produce as the Caps imagined. He's
a trendy name on the trade market and could benefit from a change of scenery.
Overall team grade: B
What's worse than a hangover? A delayed hangover. The
Capitals looked like they could fend it off with familiar early-season play but
entered a tailspin before the break. Hopefully a week off gets them back on
track.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
BOSTON BRUINS
Preseason over/under: 102.5
Current points pace: 98
Forwards: B+
Whether or not you believe the line of Patrice
Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David
Pastrnak is the best line in the NHL, they are the heartbeat of this
Bruins team, accounting for 63 of the Bruins' 145 goals as a team. David Krejci has
had a fine season as the anchor of a second scoring line, usually with Jake DeBrusk,
with 40 points. Sean Kuraly has
played well enough to have made Riley Nash a
distant memory. But they're going to need some more from their bottom six to
overcome the deep contenders in the East, and they're going to need that
elusive top-six winger at the deadline to really get the Stanley Cup parade
rolling.
Defense: B+
About what you'd expect. Torey Krug has
33 points in 39 games, with 21 of them on the power play. Zdeno Chara is
still doing Zdeno Chara things, and his pairing with Charlie
McAvoy (when healthy) is solid. Brandon Carlo is
good support for Krug, and the Kevan Miller and Matt Grzelcyk pairing
isn't bad for what it is.
Goalies: A-
Tuukka Rask worked
through some issues this season to find his form, posting a .919 save
percentage and an 8.33 goals saved above average. The Bruins have gotten eerily
identical numbers from Jaroslav
Halak. One of the best tandems in the NHL.
Special teams: B
The Bruins have a lethal power play, second in the NHL at
27.3 percent. Their penalty kill is middling at 16th in the league (80.3
percent). Marchand and Bergeron play on both.
Coach: B+
Bruce Cassidy has the benefit of having a few constants
anchoring his lineup as he tries dozens of combinations around them to see what
works. But he has done well to keep the ship running during some frustrating
injuries.
GM: B+
Don Sweeney had
some nice summer additions that have worked well, including Halak and
defenseman John Moore.
He swung and missed on Rick Nash during
the last trade deadline, but one assumes he's going to get another pitch this
deadline with guys like Wayne
Simmonds and Artemi
Panarin potentially on the move.
Class president: David Pastrnak
Pastrnak has taken things to another level this season, with
28 goals in 50 games.
In danger of failing: David Backes
Backes has five goals in 41 games, skating 13:40 per game.
He makes $6 million annually through 2022 and was a healthy scratch for the
first time in his career this season.
A very solid foundation for a championship team that still
feels like it's a big piece or two away from really making that push.
BUFFALO
SABRES
Preseason over/under: 80.5
Current points pace: 92
Forwards: B
Sometimes as hockey fans, we should all take a step back and
ask what we did to deserve such joys as watching Jack Eichel (16-37-53)
and Jeff Skinner (31-14-45)
coexist on the same line. Whether it's with Sam Reinhart or Jason
Pominville, that line has dominated to the tune of a plus-19 in goal
differential. And then ... a bit of a drop-off. The duo of Conor Sheary and Casey Mittelstadt
has been together for much of the season; with the latter player starting to
find his game after a horror show December (two points in 13 games). Kyle Okposois
a veteran hand on different lines, while Evan
Rodrigues and Tage Thompson
are starting to contribute. Zemgus
Girgensons and Johan Larsson have
been a decent duo, while Vladimir
Sobotka can still win a faceoff.
Defense: C+
Rasmus Dahlin has
been overshadowed in the rookie race by Elias
Pettersson, which is a shame, because the first overall pick has
been strong -- the Sabres have an on-ice save percentage of .937 when he's out
there. Zach Bogosian has
been a strong partner for him. Rasmus
Ristolainen has 31 points and defensive deficiencies. The rest
of the blue line has had its struggles.
Goalies: B+
Carter Hutton (.911)
and Linus Ullmark (.914)
have similar numbers across the board, with Ullmark just a shade better in
fewer games (19, to Hutton's 31). It's a little amazing that the Sabres
solidified their goaltending position by jettisoning Robin Lehner,
who might now be a Vezina Trophy candidate for the Islanders. What a world.
Special teams: B
The Sabres are 22nd in the NHL at 16.8 percent on the power
play. Their penalty kill is a bit better at 81.8 percent, good for ninth.
Coach: C+
Phil Housley's
front-runner status for the Jack Adams seems years ago, rather than months. He
has moved pieces around to try to find the right fit. The Sabres are very much
in the hunt, but some of their underlying numbers leave something to be
desired.
GM: B+
Jason
Botterill brought on Skinner, Hutton and Sheary. He also
watched as Patrik
Berglund, a key part of the Ryan O'Reilly trade,
took his puck and went home.
Class president: Jeff Skinner
Who knew all Jeff Skinner needed was an All-Star center to
threaten 50 goals in a contract year?
In danger of failing: Marco
Scandella
Scandella was acquired as a puck-moving offensive
defenseman. He has nine points in 40 games this season and has been getting
rolled at 5-on-5 in shot attempts.
The Sabres aren't that team winning 10 in a row, and they're
not that team that lost the next five games after they did. They're a team
blessed with a dominant top line that is clearly still building toward
contention. Just being in a playoff race will do wonders for Eichel and Dahlin.
DETROIT RED
WINGS
Preseason over/under: 75.5
Current points pace: 72
Forwards: B
Dylan Larkin has
48 points in 51 games, working well with Gustav
Nyquist (32 assists) and a variety of wingers that has
included Tyler
Bertuzzi (28 points) and old standby Justin
Abdelkader (five goals in 51 games). Andreas
Athanasiou is finally putting his blazing speed to good use
with his best offensive season, scoring 17 goals and adding 13 assists in 45
games, although his line has been out possessed 5-on-5. Anthony
Mantha is just a tick down from his previous two seasons but
has been strong. Old hands Frans Nielsen and Thomas Vanek do
what they do, while 19-year-old top prospect Michael
Rasmussen has contributed with 13 points in 41 games.
Defense: C+
The Red Wings have tried several combinations of
defensemen: Nicklas
Jensen, Niklas
Kronwall, Danny
DeKeyser, Mike Green, Filip Hronek, Jonathan
Ericsson, rookie Dennis
Cholowski and the currently injured Trevor Daley.
Some of these combinations were the result of injuries, while others were out
of ineffectiveness. Of the group, Jensen was featured most prominently on the
combinations that produced the best results. This is not a coincidence.
Goalies: B+
We are all witnesses to the Jimmy Howard renaissance.
The 34-year-old career Wing has a .916 save percentage and a quality
starts percentage of .636 in 34 games. He earned his trip to the
All-Star Game. Jonathan
Bernier was brought in to tandem with Howard, but his .892 save
percentage in 20 games wasn't what Detroit bargained for.
Special teams: D+
Detroit has the 25th-best power play in the NHL at 16.2
percent. They have the 23rd-best penalty kill at 77.6 percent. Their special
teams are ... not special.
Coach: C+
The success obviously hasn't been there for Jeff Blashill,
who will spend what many assume will be his last season in Detroit out of the
playoffs again. But the Red Wings play hard, and he has done well in developing
some of their young talents.
GM: C
Ken Holland made a bold draft pick in Filip Zadina, who has
looked promising in Grand Rapids. He made a strong trade last season when he
sent Tatar to the Golden Knights at the deadline. He has other assets to
move this season -- although some of them have trade protection, because Ken
Holland is why. Then, we'll all wait to see if he moves on to other opportunities.
Class president: Nicklas Jensen
As mentioned, Jensen has been one of the most underrated
players in the NHL this season, posting an expected goals plus/minus of
plus-1.79 playing with a variety of different defense partners. Will the Red
Wings keep him around?
In danger of failing: Luke
Glendening
Glendening has 17 points on the season. He also has a
minus-156 in shot attempts and a minus-8.13 in expected goals. Woof.
Not as bad as their record, but not good either. But boy,
that Jimmy Howard has been good.
FLORIDA
PANTHERS
Preseason over/under: 94.5
Current points pace: 82
Forwards: B
The Panthers are 15th this season with 152 goals, and over
half of them have come from five forwards. Mike Hoffman (23
goals) is on the best goal-scoring pace of his career. Evgenii
Dadonov (18) and Aleksander
Barkov (17) have been a reliable duo. Frank Vatrano has
been a revelation with 16 goals in 47 games, both career highs. Jonathan
Huberdeau leads the team with 49 points in 48 games, with 12 of
them coming on goals. (Vincent
Trocheck, an offensive dynamo, has 18 points in 21 games due to
injury. Nick Bjugstad was
limited to 32 games.) Now the bad news: The Panthers are having a rough
defensive year, and that includes the forwards, where even the reliable Barkov
is a minus-7 in goal differential. And the rest of the forward group has been
underwhelming.
Defense: C+
If Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad could
play the entire game, the Panthers would be fine. They've been great this
season, with Ekblad notching 21 points and Yandle tallying 31 with an even goal
differential. Mackenzie
Weegar and Bogdan
Kiselevich have been surprisingly effective, while Mark Pysyk and
Mike Matheson have been subpar. Like the forwards, it's a top-heavy group.
Goalies: D
Through 48 games, the Panthers don't have a goalie with a
save percentage greater than .900. Roberto
Luongo (.896), James Reimer (.897)
and Michael
Hutchinson (.839) have been by far the team's weakest group.
Luongo, 39, is having arguably the worst season in his storied NHL career, with
a goals saved above average of minus-8.01.
Special teams: B+
The Panthers have an outstanding power play, third in the
league at 26.8 percent. They have a middling penalty kill at 80.6 percent, good
for 14th.
Coach: C-
Bob Boughner obviously
can't play goal himself, or else he might have tried it by now. The Panthers
are 11th in shot attempts but 20th in percentage of scoring chances at 5-on-5.
If Florida misses the playoff cut again, Boughner should hire a private eye to
keep tabs on Joel Quenneville's whereabouts.
GM: B
Dale Tallon managed to launder Mike Hoffman through San
Jose, which has worked out nicely. He also got Edmonton to overpay for Alex Petrovic,
which was also addition by subtraction. There's a strong foundation here.
Tallon just needs to figure out how to tie it all together, which honestly is
an annual struggle.
Class president: Frank Vatrano
Vatrano went from being a low-key deadline pickup last
season to someone who might post more goals this season than he has in his
career to date.
In danger of failing: Roberto Luongo
We all want Roberto Luongo to win. We all want Roberto
Luongo to be a part of this league as long as possible. But this season has
been injury-plagued and deleterious to the Panthers, and he turns 40 in April.
The Panthers have shown some life lately, but it's probably
too late to rally for a playoff spot. One of the NHL's biggest disappointments
this season.
MONTREAL
CANADIENS
Preseason over/under: 80.5
Current points pace: 98
Forwards: A-
The Canadiens have gone from 29th in the NHL last season in
goals to 14th in 2018-19, and their improved forward group has been a major
factor in that. Max Domi (44
points), Tomas Tatar (38 points), Joel Armia (12
points) and rookie Jesperi
Kotkaniemi (23 points) all arrived in the offseason. Phillip
Danault (33 points) has taken a leap in production, while
holdovers like Jonathan
Drouin (37 points), Artturi
Lehkonen (23 points) and the always delightful Brendan
Gallagher (30 points) and Andrew Shaw (24
points) have all been strong this season.
Defense: B
Shea Weber has
been fantastic since returning from injury, with 16 points in 27 games and
transforming Victor Mete into
his new Ryan Suter. Jeff Petry has
been paired with both Mike Reilly and Jordie Benn,
and neither combo really took off. Brett Kulak has
been in the mix, too.
Goalies: B+
Carey Price has
a goals saved above average of plus-8.52 this season, which is being celebrated
as a return to form for the former Vezina winner. He has a .915 save percentage
and a .541 quality-starts percentage in 37 starts. Antti Niemi
has been a less-than-stellar backup.
Special teams: C-
It's a good thing Montreal is so dominant at 5-on-5 because
its power play is 30th in the NHL (13 percent) and the penalty kills is 19th
overall at 79.5 percent.
Coach: A-
Claude Julien probably hasn't gotten the love he deserves
yet for this Montreal turnaround -- that's what happens when Barry Trotz sucks
all the air out of the room -- but he's working the lines well and has this
team playing a tenacious style that has paid off offensively and defensively at
even strength. Last season the Canadiens were 13th in percentage of scoring
chances at 5-on-5; this season, they're fifth.
GM: B+
Look, to paraphrase Black Widow from "The
Avengers," Marc Bergevin has
red on his ledger. There are many mistakes he has made, and many mistakes that
have yet to come to light. (Let's revisit that Carey Price contract in a few
years.) But right now, this season, you have to give the man credit for the
additions he made up front, which are paying dividends.
Class president: Max Domi
Domi is like a transfer student from Arizona who arrives on
the first day of class and ends up valedictorian. His pace has slowed a bit,
but 44 points in 51 games is beyond anyone's expectation for him.
In danger of failing: Matthew Peca, Charles Hudon
Neither Peca nor Hudon have managed to surpass each other in
competition for a forward spot this season, in the sense that both have been
overwhelmed at 5-on-5. In 29 games, Peca has a minus-9.49 in relative Corsi.
The Canadiens are not out of the woods yet, with the Eastern
Conference bubble still featuring the Sabres and Hurricanes trying to pick
someone off, but with 61 points in 51 games the Canadiens look like a playoff
team.
OTTAWA
SENATORS
Preseason over/under: 69.5
Current points pace: 71
Forwards: B
Mark Stone has
50 points in 50 games. Matt Duchene as
47 points in 41 games. That's the good news. The bad news is that they're both
pending free agents, and their contract status could mean their time in Ottawa
could be at an end. But what a season they've had so far. Ditto Ryan Dzingel,
who is in the last year of his deal and has 20 goals. Beyond these three
players, who have played together, it has been a mixed bag for Ottawa. There
have been solid contributions from Chris Tierney (32
points), Mikkel
Boedker (27 points), Zack Smith (19
points in 41 games) and Bobby Ryan (30
points in 47 games). There has been promise from young players like Colin White (26
points) and Brady Tkachuk (23
points). Also, Magnus
Paajarvi was on the team.
Defense: C+
Thomas Chabot has
been a revelation this season, with 39 points in 42 games. He has primarily
played with Dylan DeMelo in
an effective duo (plus-10 goal differential). Less effective? Almost every
other pairing. Mark
Borowiecki, Maxime Lajoie, Christian
Jaros, Ben Harpur and Christian
Wolanin have all seen time.
Goalies: C-
The Senators have used five different goalies this season,
including Craig
Anderson (.906, 3.55) and Anders
Nilsson (.931, 2.14 in seven games). Their .898 team save
percentage is actually No. 22 in the NHL, but the Senators have the worst goals-against
average (3.74).
Special teams: D+
Ottawa is 15th on the power play, at 20.3 percent, and 29th
on the penalty kill, at 75.5 percent.
Coach: C-
For a minute earlier this season, it appeared that Guy
Boucher would have this Ottawa team defiantly contending in the Eastern
Conference. That minute passed officially around the Senators' eight-game
losing streak from Dec. 21 through Jan. 9.
GM: C+
Say what you will about Pierre Dorion, but he found a
defensive partner for Chabot and a forward that has averaged 17:35 per game
from the Erik Karlsson
trade, along with a draft-pick bounty. Does that excuse the fact that Colorado
owns what might be the first pick overall in the draft from Ottawa, having
traded it for Matt Duchene, who might not even re-sign with the Senators? Um,
no.
Class president: Mark Stone
Stone is having a tremendous offensive season to go along
with (finally) some Selke Trophy buzz in a contract year.
In danger of failing: Cody Ceci
In danger? With yet another possession-disaster season
(minus-290 shot attempts, minus-20 in 5-on-5 goal differential); Cody Ceci is
repeating the grade at this point.
The Senators are who we thought they were: a bad hockey team
with a few outstanding veteran players and some hope for the future. Well, save
for that lottery pick they no longer own.
TAMPA BAY
LIGHTNING
Preseason over/under: 107.5
Current points pace: 125
Forwards: A
The deepest collection of forwards in the NHL. Nikita
Kucherov is chasing an MVP and a scoring title with 78 points
in 49 games. Brayden Point is
chasing a massive new contract with 65 points in 49 games and the growing
reputation of the NHL's next great two-way center. Steven
Stamkos (57 points in 49 games) is chasing his first Cup. Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Yanni Gourde, J.T. Miller, Alex Killorn, Anthony
Cirelli, Cedric
Paquette, what's left of Ryan Callahan ...
what an assemblage of talent.
Defense: A-
This defenseman corps might just match the forwards for
quality depth. Victor Hedman has
entered his "perennially contending for the Norris Trophy" phase of
his career. The Bolts have had him with (much maligned) veteran Dan Girardi. Ryan McDonagh has
cooled off since a Norris-caliber start, but he has contributed at both
ends. Mikhail
Sergachev and Braydon
Coburn are first and second in shot-attempt plus/minus for the
Lightning, while Anton
Stralman can play with anyone. Erik Cernak has
been used as well.
Goalies: A-
Andrei
Vasilevskiy had a .925 save percentage through his first 28
games, which meant a 15.47 goals saved above average. He's a legit Vezina
contender. While Louis
Domingue can't replace him as a Stanley Cup-caliber goalie
should some injury befall Vasilevskiy, he filled in admirably during the
starter's absence in the regular season.
Special teams: A
The Lightning have the NHL's top power play (29.5 percent)
and fifth-best penalty kill (83.5 percent).
Coach: A
Jon Cooper had the Lightning on a historic points pace for
most of the season and has juggled this roster's many parts expertly. The Jack
Adams usually goes to the guy who turns around a bad team rather than the guy
who captains the fastest ship in the fleet, but you expect Cooper would be a
finalist at this point.
GM: INC
Julien BriseBois took over from Steve Yzerman in
September, and in fairness, we're not going to judge the guy for the Slater
Koekkoek-for-Jan Rutta trade. But suffice it to say, he helped
Yzerman build this roster (and did so with perennial cap acrobatics).
Class president: Brayden Point
Point needed 82 games to score 32 goals and 66 points last
season. He scored 30 goals and recorded 65 points in his first 49 games this
season. A massive breakout year for the 22-year-old center.
In danger of failing: Anton Stralman
Stralman isn't anywhere close to flunking, but we should
note that he's the only player on the current roster for the Lightning that's
in negative expected goal differential territory (-1.96 through 31 games in an
injury-plagued season).
The best team in the NHL this season through the first 50
games.
TORONTO MAPLE
LEAFS
Preseason over/under: 106.5
Current points pace: 104
Forwards: A-
The addition of John Tavares (54
points in 49 games) to Mitch Marner's
life has been gigantic, as the Leafs winger leads the team with 62 points.
Tavares has 30 goals on the season, with a chance to pass his career best of
38. So that's one line. The other line features Auston
Matthews (1.23 points per game) and William
Nylander, the latter of whom is still trying to find his game after
his contract negotiation went deep into the season. So that's two lines. Then
there's Nazem Kadri (32
points) who has skated with Patrick
Marleau (22 points) this season. Kasperi
Kapanen, Andreas
Johnsson, Zach Hyman, Connor Brown ...
it all adds up to a talented group that Mike Babcock has deployed in waves this
season.
Defense: B
So what happens with Morgan Rielly (50
points) now? Does the Norris contender play with the recently acquired Jake Muzzin,
whose presence bumps the Leafs up a notch in the report card? Does Ron Hainsey slip
down the lineup to where Travis
Dermott and Igor
Ozhiganov reside? Toronto fan pariah Jake Gardiner and Nikita
Zaitsev are the other combination. Muzzin helps, but this group
needs another impact player to be at a championship level.
Goalies: A-
Frederik
Andersen (.923) has been an incredible last line of defense for
the Leafs, with a .676 quality starts percentage and a plus-16.51 goals saved
above average. Garret Sparks (.907)
is 6-3-1 as a backup.
Special teams: B+
The Leafs are ninth on the power play (22.1 percent) and
12th on the penalty kill (81.1 percent). Could be better; could be worse.
Coach: A-
Babcock has the Leafs playing a strong possession game
(ninth in shot-attempt percentage) that helps power a dynamic offense (3.55
goals per game). But the test isn't in the regular season. It's in Babcock
winning a playoff round for the first time since Nicklas
Lidstrom retired.
GM: A-
Bed sheets or not, Kyle Dubas successfully sold Tavares on
coming to the Leafs, got Nylander on the contract he was comfortable with and
made a potentially strong trade for Muzzin. There are still further steps in
this plan, but it's coming together.
Class president: Mitch Marner
At this rate, Marner is going to pass his career high in
points before Valentine's Day. It's going to be a very, very interesting
contract tango with Marner and Matthews and Dubas.
In danger of failing: Ron Hainsey
Hainsey is the Leafs' worst player for shot-attempt
differential and has a relative expected goals for percentage of minus-5.77.
Overall team grade: A-
The Leafs have an overpowering offense when it's clicking, a
goalie that can win them games by himself and a defense that they hope can
handle the other beasts of the East. For now, they're just short of an 'A.'
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