10 NHL Players Poised for a Hot Start to the 2016-17 Season
With the 2016 World Cup of Hockey now history, the focus of NHL fans shifts to the upcoming 2016-17 season. Several notable stars, including Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns and Nashville Predators blueliner P.K. Subban, could burst quickly from the starting gate.
Some, such as Crosby, will try to carry over their strong World Cup of Hockey performances into a solid start to this NHL season. A hot start could be crucial for players, such as Burns, entering their contract years. Stars who changed teams in the offseason through trades or free agency, such as Subban, will likely want to make a positive early impression with their new clubs.
The following slideshow lists 10 NHL players poised for hot starts to the 2016-17 season, examining last season's performance and notable factors worth watching in the upcoming campaign. You can weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
10. Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
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Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel enjoyed a notable NHL rookie season in 2015-16, with 56 points in 81 games. The 19-year-old enters 2016-17 facing the challenge of building on that performance in his sophomore campaign.
Last season, Eichel finished second among Sabres scorers and the league's rookie scoring leaders. While he was named to the NHL's all-rookie team for 2016, he was passed over as a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. Eichel also skated for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey, netting two points in three games.
Now a key part of the rebuilding Sabres offense, Eichel must also cope with the pressure of topping last season's accomplishments. A hot start to 2016-17 will put to rest any worries about a sophomore slump.
9. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
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With 52 points in 2015-16, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon enjoyed a bounce-back performance from his woeful 38-point sophomore campaign. Armed with a new contract and playing for a new coach, the 21-year-old could be primed for a hot start to 2016-17.
MacKinnon's play last season was among the few bright spots for the Avalanche, who missed the playoffs for the second straight year. He finished third among Avs scorers in goals (21) and in points. MacKinnon followed up with a solid effort for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey, finishing with two goals and an assist in three games.
Having signed a seven-year, $44.1 million contract extension on July 8, MacKinnon will be motivated to prove himself worthy of such a hefty raise. Under new head coach Jared Bednar, he could find himself taking more of a leadership role.
8. Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils
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In one of this summer's biggest trades, the Edmonton Oilers dealt left wing Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson. The 24-year-old winger now faces the challenge of proving himself with a new club for the first time in his NHL career.
In his six NHL seasons, Hall reached or exceeded 50 points four times. Last season, he tallied 65 points in 82 games, marking his second-best career point total. However, the Oilers' depth in young forwards combined with a need for blue-line depth led in Hall to be swapped for Larsson.
The Devils were last season's lowest-scoring team. Hall will be expected to help them improve in that category. That should provide him with sufficient motivation to quickly settle in and prove he's the answer to the Devils' anemic offense.
7. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
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Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid was enjoying a promising start to his rookie campaign last season until a broken left clavicle cost him 37 games. The 19-year-old will have considerable motivation to get off to a strong start this season.
Despite his injury, McDavid finished 2015-16 with 48 points in 45 games. He finished third in team scoring, ranked fourth among the league's rookie scorers and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He also had a decent performance for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey, finishing with three assists in as many games.
McDavid will be an NHL sophomore this season and ranks among the league's brightest young stars. He has the potential to become a franchise player for the rebuilding Oilers. After missing nearly half of his debut campaign to injury, McDavid could be keen to show off his talents over a full NHL season.
6. P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators
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On June 29, the Montreal Canadiens shocked the hockey world by shipping popular defenseman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for blueliner Shea Weber. The 27-year-old Subban will likely want to get off to a strong start with his new club.
An exciting and entertaining puck-moving blueliner, Subban netted 51 points in 68 games last season. That marked the third consecutive season he's reached the 50-point plateau. He's also a former winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenseman, taking the honor in 2013.
Subban's speed and offensive skills should provide the Predators with a significant boost to their scoring punch. As a blue-line star who enjoys the spotlight, expect Subban to work quickly to establish himself with his new teammates.
5. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price enjoyed a multiple-award performance in 2014-15, winning the Vezina Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, Williams M. Jennings Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award. A season-ending knee injury last November, however, cost him the opportunity to follow up on those achievements.
Prior to his injury, Price put up impressive numbers. He won 10 of 12 games played, with a 2.06 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage and two shutouts. Backstopping Team Canada to victory at the World Cup of Hockey, Price showed no ill-effects from his injury. He was among the tournament leaders in GAA (1.40) and SP (.957).
Price will once again face the pressure of carrying the Canadiens back into the playoffs. Having demonstrated he's returned to form on the world stage, the 29-year-old could be driven to regain his crown as the NHL's top goalie. A robust start to this season could prove a significant step in reaching that goal.
4. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
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In over three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ben Bishop established himself among the NHL's elite goaltenders. The 2016-17 campaign could be the biggest of his career, providing sufficient motivation for a strong start.
Despite being a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, the 29-year-old Bishop faces an uncertain future with the Lightning. He's entering his contract year and could prove too expensive for the Lightning to re-sign. He could also be challenged by promising Andrei Vasilevskiy for the starter's job.
This season could be Bishop's last opportunity to win a Stanley Cup with the Lightning. A strong performance will also bolster his value in next summer's free-agent market. He'll also be motivated to maintain his hold on the starter's job throughout 2016-17.
3. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
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During his five seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Brent Burns became one of the NHL's top defensemen. Entering his contract season with the Sharks, the 31-year-old has plenty of incentive to get off to a strong start.
Last season was the best of Burns' 12-year NHL career. He had a career-best 75 points, finishing second in scoring among defensemen and third among Sharks scorers. The hirsute blueliner was also second among playoff scorers. Burns was a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy and played for Team Canada in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
As the Sharks' best puck-handling defenseman, Burns is a key part of their offensive attack. He's also in line for a significant raise over his current $5.76 million annual salary. Another strong performance will only burnish his value.
2. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
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Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane's performance in 2015-16 was the best of his nine-year NHL career. He finished with career highs in goals (46), assists (60) and points (106). As a result, the 27-year-old will face significant pressure to match or exceed those achievements.
Kane was last season's dominant NHL scorer. As the only player to crack 100 points, he was the runaway leader in points. Kane also made history, becoming the first American to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's scoring leader and the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP. He also won the Ted Lindsay Award.
Given Kane's impressive play last season, he'll face high expectations for a big follow-up effort. That should provide him with the impetus to meet that challenge by getting off to a strong start in 2016-17.
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
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Last season was among the best of Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby's NHL career. He led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup championship, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player. He was also the captain for Team Canada and the leading scorer as they won the World Cup of Hockey tournament.
At 29, Crosby has evolved into a strong two-way center. Following a slow start last season, he quickly rose up among the NHL scoring leaders, finishing third with 85 points. He's also a better-disciplined player, not giving in to taunts or cheap shots from opponents hoping to knock him off his game.
Given Crosby's stellar performance at the World Cup of Hockey, the Penguins captain appears in midseason form. He could be determined to prove last season's slow start was an aberration. Having Crosby in peak form at the start of this season bodes well for the defending champion Penguins.
Player stats via NHL.com. Contract info via Cap Friendly.
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