Ranking the 10 Most Surprising Players in the 2014-15 NHL Season
NHL teams enter every season with specific expectations for players and their roles. Once the games begin, things evolve from shift to shift and some players emerge in new and more prominent roles.
Some players take advantage of injury, others deliver on promise after being given up on and still others fall into an ideal role.
Here are the 10 players who have given fans the biggest surprise in terms of performance this season.
10. John Klingberg, D, Dallas Stars
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? John Klingberg was a complete wild card entering this season. After playing in Sweden last year, it was difficult to project him beyond the AHL for the 2014-15 season.
What Happened? After being called up to the NHL, Klingberg has been a revelation. He leads all rookie defensemen in scoring and is playing over 21 productive minutes a night.
Can He Sustain It? Klingberg's exceptional season will need to be repeated before the Stars can count on him to be a vital part of their future. However, all signs point to the young Swede being in the NHL for a long time.
9. Cam Talbot, G, New York Rangers
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? Cam Talbot is a young goaltender for the New York Rangers. He is the backup for Henrik Lundqvist, a role he excelled in during the 2013-14 campaign. More of the same was expected this year.
What Happened? Talbot has played an increased role this year due to Lundqvist's injury and has delivered a big year for the Rangers. His performance has caught the attention of other NHL teams and may result in a starting role in the future—in another NHL city.
Can He Sustain It? Talbot won't replace Lundqvist in New York, but he might get an opportunity to start elsewhere in the coming years. As reported by the Associated Press (via ESPN), Talbot signed a one-year extension for 2015-16 in December. He'll be a Rangers goalie for at least the next season, unless he is traded over the next few months.
8. John Carlson, D, Washington Capitals
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? John Carlson was expected to be a big part of the Washington Capitals defense. A season similar to 2013-14, in which he scored 37 points and played over 24 minutes a night, was the expectation for this year.
What Happened? Carlson has moved up smartly as an even-strength scorer this season, tied for No. 1 among all defensemen in the NHL. He's also on pace to pass 50 points—a rare feat for an NHL defenseman.
Can He Sustain It? Carlson is a veteran of over 350 NHL games and is only 25 years old. He should have strong seasons for the rest of the decade and beyond.
7. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? Nikita Kucherov was expected to be a role-playing winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his second pro season, he was in the mix with several other talented wingers for playing time.
What Happened? It didn't take long for Kucherov to establish himself as a major offensive option for the Lightning. In his first 39 games this season, he posted 37 points and formed a strong line with Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat. Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com shows that line is a strong possession trio, with about 56 percent of the play at even strength in the other team's end.
Can He Sustain It? Kucherov should be able to sustain this level of productivity. He is just 21 years old and could fall back in terms of performance, but that is unlikely, as he was brought along at his own pace.
6. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? Roman Josi was expected to play big minutes for the Nashville Predators. He played 26 minutes a night and scored 40 points in 2013-14, which were the expectations for this season.
What Happened? Josi passed Shea Weber as the top offensive option from the Nashville defense. According to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, the Josi-Weber duo is an effective offensive weapon at even strength.
Can He Sustain It? Josi is just 24 years old and this is already his second impressive offensive season. It is likely he'll post solid numbers for the next several years before settling in as more of a defensive option in the NHL. The future is bright for the Predators' young defender.
5. John Tavares, C, New York Islanders
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? John Tavares is the New York Islanders' franchise player. He was expected to be the team's top scorer and lead the team to the playoffs.
What Happened? The Islanders exploded this season and look to be a lock for a good seed in the playoffs. Furthermore, Tavares currently leads the entire NHL in scoring, giving the team the top offensive weapon available.
Can He Sustain It? Tavares is a former No. 1 overall pick, and he has posted strong offensive seasons in the past. This year is different because he's ahead of the entire league offensively. He'll need to do it a few more times to prove that's an established level of ability.
4. Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? Aaron Ekblad had high expectations entering this season. As the No. 1 overall selection, there was huge pressure to make the Florida Panthers and be a productive player.
What Happened? Ekblad blew everyone away with his range of skills and instant offense. He is playing over 22 minutes a night, and he is also among the Panthers' best offensive players.
Can He Sustain It? As the No. 1 overall selection, the expectation was that he'd eventually reach these heights. The surprise comes in how quickly he reached this level. It is extremely unusual for a teenage defenseman to play in the league successfully, let alone have this kind of impact. Ekblad's rookie season is a dream campaign, and he should be able to build on it. The Panthers may have drafted one of the very best defenseman of the next decade.
3. Jakub Voracek, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers entered the season having played 449 NHL games, in which he scored 291 points. The expectations were for a healthy season and a point total in the 50-point range.
What Happened? Voracek exploded out of the block, scoring 47 points by the end of December. According to NHL.com, he is the No. 1 scoring right winger in the league this season.
Can He Sustain It? Voracek is 25 years old and should have several productive offensive seasons ahead of him. Previous to this year, his career high in total points was 62—last season—so he does appear to be spiking as an offensive player. There may be a window between now and age 29 in which Voracek can push his scoring to higher levels.
2. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? Vladimir Tarasenko was expected to help the St. Louis Blues with their scoring depth. He scored 43 points in 2013-14, so a slight bump in productivity would have been reasonable in his third NHL season.
What Happened? Tarasenko exploded this year, as he has passed 30 goals and 60 points and is still going. He offers something St. Louis badly needed—a first-shot scorer—and could help change the balance of power in the Western Conference this spring.
Can He Sustain It? Tarasenko is young enough to improve some more, but it's likely we're seeing him emerge as a legitimate offensive force. At 23 years old, he should be able to sustain 60 or more points over the next several seasons.
1. Devan Dubnyk, G, Minnesota Wild
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What Was the Expectation Entering the Season? Devan Dubnyk's NHL career was in shambles in the summer of 2014. He lost his job with the Edmonton Oilers after a horrible start, played two games with Nashville and ended up in the minors with the Hamilton Bulldogs. The expectation in Arizona this fall was as the backup goaltender and not much else.
What Happened? Dubnyk ended up outplaying Mike Smith with the Coyotes and eventually got traded to the Minnesota Wild. Upon arriving, he proceeded to save the season for the Wild. Dubnyk is one of the truly stunning stories in the league this year.
Can He Sustain It? His career save percentage is .913, and it is currently at .939 with Minnesota. He won't post that number over a long period, but it's also true he's unlikely to sink to the depths of last year. Dubnyk should be a slightly above-average goaltender for the next several years.
