Every NHL Team's Most Valuable Player for the 1st Half of the 2015-16 Season
Halfway through the NHL season, it's time to give some credit to the individuals responsible for the best their team has offered.
Whether they are a cellar-dweller or one of the league's elite through the first half, every team has a star who has made them all that they can be.
Some are easier than others. Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks is the runaway favorite for the league's MVP award thanks to his hot start. The Carolina Hurricanes' Justin Faulk is on pace for a record season on the power play. And Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames has never heard of a sophomore slump.
Other teams aren't as easy to choose from, especially those with terrible performances over the first half and little positive to cling to.
But for you, the loyal Bleacher Report reader, we'll select an individual from every one of the 30 franchises to be their first-half MVP.
Yes, even the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Click ahead, and be sure to leave have your say in the comments section.
Anaheim Ducks: John Gibson, G
1 of 30
By the numbers: 18 games, 9-6-2 record, .926 save percentage, 1.84 goals-against average and four shutouts.
Why he wins: Although he has only recently taken control of the Anaheim Ducks net, rookie goalie John Gibson has four shutouts in 18 games. The last rookie to earn more than four in a season was Tuukka Rask in 2010 in 45 games played.
The Ducks aren't scoring enough and have had inconsistent defensive play and goaltending throughout the first half of the campaign, but Gibson seems to have stabilized that and the team is back on track. It's a long climb up the standings to a playoff spot, but with Gibson it seems possible.
Also worthy: D Cam Fowler, D Sami Vatanen.
Arizona Coyotes: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D
2 of 30
By the numbers: 43 games, 13 goals, 20 assists, 33 points, seven power-play goals, six game-winners and 128 shots.
Why he wins: The Arizona Coyotes have enjoyed a youth movement this season, with Max Domi and Anthony Duclair helping the team be the surprising sixth-best offense over the first half of the NHL season. But it's the elite play of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson that has helped the team latch onto a playoff position and refuse to let go.
The Swede is one of the top power-play blueliners and sits tied for the team's overall points lead. He has improved his two-way play as well, and at 24, he is a player any team in the league would love to have.
Also worthy: RW Shane Doan, LW Max Domi.
Boston Bruins: Loui Eriksson, RW
3 of 30
By the numbers: 42 games, 15 goals, 20 assists, 35 points, plus-seven, one shorthanded, two game-winners and 86 shots.
Why he wins: The Boston Bruins' offense, especially a red-hot power play, has kept them in the playoff race this season after missing out a year ago, and Loui Eriksson is a big part of that revival in what could be his final year in the black and gold.
Eriksson is a pending UFA, and his career year could put him out of the Bruins' price range. In the meantime, he has taken full advantage of his new role on the power play and come through with a team-high six man-advantage goals and 11 points in total. He sits second in team scoring overall.
Also worthy: C Patrice Bergeron.
Buffalo Sabres: Ryan O'Reilly, C
4 of 30
By the numbers: 43 games, 17 goals, 20 assists, 37 points, seven power-play goals and two game-winners.
Why he wins: Ryan O'Reilly is on pace for his best offensive season in the NHL while playing on the worst roster he's ever been a part of. The rebuilding Buffalo Sabres are leaning heavily on the 24-year-old to be a mentor for its developing players, a top two-way center and a locker-room presence.
Without him, the team would be adrift. As it is, the Sabres are anchored near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Also worthy: D Rasmus Ristolainen.
Calgary Flames: Johnny Gaudreau, LW
5 of 30
By the numbers: 42 games, 19 goals, 24 assists, 43 points, plus-six, five game-winners and 116 shots.
Why he wins: Super sophomore Johnny Gaudreau has become one of the most exciting players in the NHL and is leading the Calgary Flames in scoring by a wide margin. The longest stretch of games he's gone without a point this season is four, and he is averaging more than 20 minutes on the ice per game after netting under 18 on average last season as a rookie.
Without Gaudreau's scoring, the Flames would be in the league basement as opposed to the top 10. He's on pace for nearly 40 goals.
Also worthy: D TJ Brodie, D Mark Giordano.
Carolina Hurricanes: Justin Faulk, D
6 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 14 goals, 18 assists, 32 points, 12 power-play goals, three game-winners and 130 shots.
Why he wins: Justin Faulk is the league's best power-play quarterback and on pace to break Sheldon Souray's record of 19 man-advantage markers from a defenseman thanks to an impressive start for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Faulk accounted for more than 50 percent of his team's power-play goals over the first half of the season. He leads the Hurricanes in scoring and has helped the team stay in the playoff hunt.
Also worthy: C Eric Staal, RW Kris Versteeg.
Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Kane, RW
7 of 30
By the numbers: 46 games, 25 goals, 38 assists, 63 points, plus-20, 13 power-play goals, five game-winners and 164 shots.
Why he wins: When you're leading the league's scoring race by double digits and on pace for a 112-point season, chances are you may be the NHL MVP and not just your team's. Throw in a record 26-game point streak for good measure and that's where Patrick Kane is at in his most stunning season to date.
The 27-year-old is magic on ice, and it seems like only injury could derail his success this year.
Also worthy: C Jonathan Toews, D Duncan Keith, G Corey Crawford.
Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene, C
8 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 21 goals, 16 assists, 37 points, three game-winners and 120 shots.
Why he wins: Matt Duchene is flirting with a 40-goal season, which would obliterate his previous career high of 27. The fleet-of-foot center has overcome early-season trade rumors to have the best first half of a season of his career and has given the Colorado Avalanche some much needed depth to their scoring punch.
The Avs are fifth in goals per game thanks in large part to Duchene's giant leap forward.
Also worthy: C Nathan MacKinnon.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Brandon Saad, LW
9 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 16 goals, 14 assists, 30 points, three game-winners and 129 shots.
Why he wins: The Columbus Blue Jackets haven't had many players live up to expectations this season, but if you were to see a 30-goal season from Brandon Saad in his first year with the team, no one would be disappointed. That's the pace Saad is on right now, although the departure of star center Ryan Johansen could affect that final number significantly.
Still, Saad has been one of the bright spots during a dismal season for Columbus.
Also worthy: LW Scott Hartnell.
Dallas Stars: Jamie Benn, LW
10 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 25 goals, 28 assists, 53 points, plus-17, 11 power-play goals, two shorthanded, three game-winners and 138 shots.
Why he wins: There may be no more well-rounded forward in the league than Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars. He's second in league scoring behind Patrick Kane and ahead of teammate Tyler Seguin. He logs more than 20 minutes per game (also second to Kane) and plays in all situations.
What makes him better than Seguin in the MVP running is that versatility. After winning the scoring title last term, he's on pace for his first 100-point season this time around.
Also worthy: C Tyler Seguin, D John Klingberg.
Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin, C
11 of 30
By the numbers: 43 games, 14 goals, 16 assists, 30 points, plus-23, four game-winners and 117 shots.
Why he wins: Rookie center Dylan Larkin earned a spot in training camp in the summer and hasn't looked back since. He's the Detroit Red Wings' best rookie forward since Steve Yzerman and is tied for the lead in plus/minus as a 19-year-old.
Larkin is tied for the team's scoring lead with linemate Henrik Zetterberg but has become one of the best two-way players in the game as a teenager. He's the key to the team's present and future at the center position.
Also worthy: C Pavel Datsyuk, G Petr Mrazek.
Edmonton Oilers: Leon Draisaitl, C
12 of 30
By the numbers: 35 games, 10 goals, 24 assists, 34 points, plus-eight, one game-winner and 74 shots.
Why he wins: When rookie star Connor McDavid went down with injury early in the season, Leon Draisaitl saw his opportunity to get back to the NHL for good. The Edmonton Oilers prospect slid right in and dominated from the get-go on a line with Taylor Hall—another of the team's top picks from the past few years of a rebuild.
Draisaitl is second to Hall in team scoring but having played almost 10 fewer games. He's a big center with loads of skill and a bright future in Edmonton.
Also worthy: LW Taylor Hall.
Florida Panthers: Roberto Luongo, G
13 of 30
By the numbers: 35 games, 19-12-4 record, .927 save percentage, 2.18 goals-against average and three shutouts.
Why he wins: Talk all you want about the influence of veteran forward Jaromir Jagr, but it's Roberto Luongo who is having the best season for the Florida Panthers so far.
Luongo is still as competitive as he was with the Vancouver Canucks, but he has a relaxed way about him that is complemented by Jagr and has rubbed off on the franchise. Oh, and his goaltending is stellar as well. The 36-year-old may be the oldest goalie in the league, but he's also one of the best by the numbers.
Also worthy: RW Jaromir Jagr.
Los Angeles Kings: Jeff Carter, C
14 of 30
By the numbers: 37 games, 12 goals, 17 assists, 29 points, plus-16, one shorthanded goal, three game-winners and 112 shots.
Why he wins: When the Los Angeles Kings were struggling out of the gate and searching desperately for some chemistry among a talented forward group that wasn't producing, it was Jeff Carter who stepped up and sparked things with Milan Lucic and Tyler Toffoli.
Carter is among the team's offensive leaders despite missing a few games with injury and among the best in the league in plus/minus. He's on his way to a second straight 60-point season.
Also worthy: C Anze Kopitar, G Jonathan Quick.
Minnesota Wild: Ryan Suter, D
15 of 30
By the numbers: 43 games, six goals, 24 assists, 30 points, plus-13, one shorthanded goal, two game-winners, 103 shots and 28:23 minutes per game.
Why he wins: Not only is Ryan Suter challenging Mikko Koivu for the team's scoring lead, but he's leading all NHLers in minutes per game and somehow never seems to tire or stumble.
He's on the ice nearly every second shift and looks like he could play the entire game. The defensive drop off behind Suter is steep, and he is having his best offensive season on top of it all, flirting with a 60-point pace.
Also worthy: C Mikko Koivu, G Devan Dubnyk.
Montreal Canadiens: Max Pacioretty, LW
16 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 17 goals, 16 assists, 33 points, one shorthanded goal, four game-winners and 171 shots.
Why he wins: Max Pacioretty has hit the 30-goal mark in three straight non-lockout seasons and is on pace for a fourth for a team that relies heavily on big goals at key moments to get the better of an opponent. He's took on the captaincy as well this year but hasn't let the added pressure and responsibility take away from what he does best—which is produce points.
Pacioretty has six power-play goals and 10 points on the man advantage but also kills penalties. When Carey Price isn't in the lineup, Pacioretty is the team's most important player.
Also worthy: LW Brendan Gallagher, D P.K. Subban.
Nashville Predators: Roman Josi, D
17 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, nine goals, 22 assists, 31 points, one shorthanded goal, two game-winners and 104 shots.
Why he wins: If newcomer Ryan Johansen had been around all season, he might've got the nod here because he has made an impact in a short period of time, but the reason the Nashville Predators were able to make a trade like that for stud defenseman Seth Jones is because Roman Josi is so strong at the same position, meaning Jones was never going to get top-pairing minutes alongside Shea Weber.
Josi is so good on the back end, he's surpassed Weber as the Preds' top blueliner. He leads the team in scoring and ice time—things Weber once dominated.
Also worthy: D Shea Weber.
New Jersey Devils: Cory Schneider, G
18 of 30
By the numbers: 37 games, 18-14-5 record, .926 save percentage, 2.09 goals-against average and three shutouts.
Why he wins: As critical as Michael Cammalleri's big offensive season has been to the New Jersey Devils' surprise standing so far—they're fifth in the Metropolitan Division—the team only goes as far as goalie Cory Schneider takes them.
It doesn't matter how many goals the team scores if Schneider isn't there to make sure the other team doesn't notch more—and he's working in front of a pretty porous back line.
Also worthy: LW Michael Cammalleri, RW Kyle Palmieri.
New York Islanders: Frans Nielsen, C
19 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 14 goals, 13 assists, 27 points, one shorthanded goal and 112 shots.
Why he wins: New York Islanders captain John Tavares isn't having a great season, but teammate Frans Nielsen is enjoying a very solid campaign. He's been the team's best two-way forward and is only a few points behind Tavares and Kyle Okposo in the scoring race as well.
He's the team's top penalty-killing forward and also leads the Isles in power-play goals with four.
Also worthy: LW Kyle Okposo, C John Tavares.
New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist, G
20 of 30
By the numbers: 36 games, 19-12-4 record, .920 save percentage, 2.48 goals-against average and two shutouts.
Why he wins: The New York Rangers have struggled recently, but goaltender Henrik Lundqvist continues to keep his team in close contests, offering them a chance to earn some victories.
The Rangers are allowing more than 30 shots against per game and have not been very stingy defensively. Nothing fazes the 33-year-old veteran, however.
Also worthy: D Ryan McDonagh, RW Mats Zuccarello.
Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson, D
21 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, nine goals, 36 assists, 45 points, two game-winners and 118 shots.
Why he wins: Erik Karlsson is halfway through what could be the most special season of his already award-littered career. If he hits 81 points, his campaign will be ranked among the top 50 all-time single-season performances by NHL defensemen.
He leads the Ottawa Senators in scoring and has helped them stick around in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race with his game-changing abilities. He's one of the most dynamic offensive defensemen of all time and could add win third Norris Trophy before turning 26 in May.
Also worthy: C Kyle Turris, RW Mark Stone.
Philadelphia Flyers: Claude Giroux, C
22 of 30
By the numbers: 41 games, 12 goals, 21 assists, 33 points, one shorthanded, two game-winners and 111 shots.
Why he wins: Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux is the lone bright spot on an offense that is the third-worst in the league this season. His numbers are down but not nearly as affected as some of his teammates, including Jakub Voracek, who has scored just five goals.
Giroux is also an important part of both special teams units and averages more than 20 minutes per game.
Also worthy: D Shayne Gostisbehere.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Marc-Andre Fleury, G
23 of 30
By the numbers: 30 games, 15-11-4 record, .926 save percentage, 2.26 goals-against average and two shutouts.
Why he wins: The usually potent Pittsburgh Penguins offense has been a bust this season, even with the addition of Phil Kessel. They're averaging just 2.33 goals per game—good for just 26th in the league.
But when it comes to keeping pucks out of the net, the Pens are the ninth-best team. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is the biggest reason why. He's playing behind a questionable defensive group but has been heroic so far this season.
Also worthy: C Evgeni Malkin.
San Jose Sharks: Brent Burns, D
24 of 30
By the numbers: 41 games, 18 goals 22 assists, 40 points, one shorthanded, three game-winners and 180 shots.
Why he wins: You can make the case no one in the league means more to his team than defenseman Brent Burns does to the San Jose Sharks. Although he's playing on the blue line, the 30-year-old is second only to Joe Pavelski in scoring and is averaging nearly a point per game.
He's on pace for 36 goals—tops among all defensemen—and only Alex Ovechkin has taken more shots on goal this season. Burns is averaging more than 26 minutes a night and plays in every situation for the Sharks.
Also worthy: C Joe Pavelski.
St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko, RW
25 of 30
By the numbers: 45 games, 24 goals, 20 assists, 44 points, four game-winners and 165 shots.
Why he wins: Vladimir Tarasenko leads the St. Louis Blues in goals and points and has scored a third of his goals on the power play to help the team sit fifth in the league in that special teams category. The 24-year-old is top five in league scoring and on pace for 44 goals.
He's ahead of his next highest-scoring teammate, Alex Steen, by 11 goals and has taken the sixth-most shots in the NHL so far this season. He's a game-breaker who gives his team a chance to win any close contest and makes others around him better.
Also worthy: G Jake Allen, D Alex Pietrangelo.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Ben Bishop, G
26 of 30
By the numbers: 34 games, 17-13-3 record, .926 save percentage, 2.00 goals-against average and two shutouts.
Why he wins: If not for Ben Bishop's steady play between the pipes, the Tampa Bay Lightning's Stanley Cup Final hangover would be much, much worse. As it is, they are clinging to a wild-card spot with a pack of Eastern Conference clubs on their tails.
Bishop's numbers are all in the top 10 among goaltenders, and while other stars such as Steven Stamkos struggle to find their elite gear, Bishop is already there.
Also worthy: D Victor Hedman.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Leo Komarov, C
27 of 30
By the numbers: 41 games, 15 goals, 14 assists, 29 points, plus-four, one shorthanded, two game-winners and 82 shots.
Why he wins: With the Toronto Maple Leafs dealing away Phil Kessel in the summer and looking to completely rebuild, no one knew where the offense might come from. Leo Komarov has quickly become a Mike Babcock favorite because of his work effort, grit and finishing ability.
He's no Kessel, but Komarov has been the Leafs' best forward on most nights and has already set a career high for points. He is on pace to score 30 goals—something teammate James van Riemsdyk has only managed to do once.
Also worthy: C Nazem Kadri.
Vancouver Canucks: Daniel Sedin, LW
28 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 19 goals, 21 assists, 40 points, plus-11 and five game-winners.
Why he wins: The Vancouver Canucks have been terrible as a team, but the veteran Sedin twins have been dominant forces for the franchise once again. Winger Daniel has been a little more prolific than center Henrik (19 goals and nine goals respectively) and is on pace for 35 goals and 75 points, which would be his best goal total since he scored 41 in 2010-11.
Few elite players can control play along the boards the way the twins do. They are almost single-handedly responsible for the fact the Canucks are still in the playoff hunt.
Also worthy: C Henrik Sedin.
Washington Capitals: Braden Holtby, G
29 of 30
By the numbers: 35 games, 28-4-2 record, .933 save percentage, 1.90 goals-against average and two shutouts.
Why he wins: Goaltender Braden Holtby is a Vezina Trophy favorite who hasn't lost a game in regulation since mid-November. He leads the league in victories and has the second-best GAA along with the third-ranked save percentage.
The Washington Capitals have taken advantage of Holtby's stellar play and are running away in the Presidents' Trophy race. Their offensive abilities are no surprise, but few expected the team to be the league's stingiest outfit.
Also worthy: LW Alex Ovechkin, C Nicklas Backstrom.
Winnipeg Jets: Blake Wheeler, RW
30 of 30
By the numbers: 44 games, 12 goals, 31 assists, 43 points, two shorthanded, three game-winners and 118 shots.
Why he wins: The Winnipeg Jets have been hanging around in the Western Conference playoff race, and the play of winger Blake Wheeler is a big reason why that is. He's on track for a career year with nearly a point-per-game pace and is contributing in every situation possible on the ice.
Wheeler is the clear leader of the offense and does it by example. Choosing him as captain were Andrew Ladd to leave as a free agent this summer would be a no-brainer.
Also worthy: D Dustin Byfuglien, G Connor Hellebuyck.
All stats via NHL.com.
