NHL Stars Whose Reputations Changed Significantly During 2013 Season

The nature of professional sports boils down to one simple, harsh truth: what have you done for me lately? 

Fortunately for superstar players who've built up enough equity and cache with fans, they can withstand some (if not all) of the backlash associated with a slump or even a slump that turns into a lost season.

Yet, at some point, being a fan favorite or the franchise's talisman isn't enough to shield a star from public criticism, making increased performance the only requirement for being ingratiated with a fanbase or critics once again. 

Even worse are off the ice issues, such as criminal actions or contract disputes in terms of degrading a player's image. These character blemishes take time to mend, but again, on-ice contribution is typically a quick-healing tonic for fans.

With these maxims in mind, here is a short list of NHL superstars whose reputations changed significantly during the truncated 2013 season.

6. John Tavares, Forward, New York Islanders

Prior to this season, John Tavares was simply a sidenote, an afterthought even, in the discussion of the NHL's biggest, most impactful superstars.

But "JT91" is not just revamping his reputation, he's placing the name Tavares squarely in the center of the Hart Trophy race with the likes of Stamkos, Ovechkin and Crosby. All of which, by the way, were No. 1 overall picks in the years prior to Tavares' selection.

Tavares' knack for finding the back of nets and his underrated setup ability are center-stage as the Islanders continue their surprising push to the playoffs. Without Tavares' 26 goals and 45 points, the Islanders would be suffering the same fate as prior seasons, looking forward not to the postseason, but instead pinning their hopes atop the draft.

Without question, John Tavares reputation has changed significantly for the better—not just for himself, but for an Islanders franchise craving success.

5. Sergei Bobrovsky, Goalie, Columbus Blue Jackets

A massive payout to Ilya Bryzgalov and the crowded crease in Philadelphia has proven to be a tremendous gain for Vezina Candidate Sergei Bobrovsky and the playoff-primed Columbus Blue Jackets.

In his first full season in a true starting role, Bobrovsky has gone from relative unknown in Philadelphia to a bona fide Vezina frontrunner.

Already this season, Bobrovsky has been named the NHL's third star for the month of March, the NHL's first star of the week twice and third star once. He's sitting on a solid 2.06 goals against average, stopping more than 93% of shots faced and has 19 wins to his credit.

If "Bob" and the Jackets make the playoffs, he will remain the Vezina frontrunner, but regardless of the outcome, Sergei Bobrovksy is changing the way the NHL community views his star status.

4. P.K. Subban, Defenseman, Montreal Canadiens

The free-wheeling, hard-shooting P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens found himself in "le chateau bow-bow" with fans earlier this season during a contract dispute that saw him sit out the first six games of an already shortened season.

He wanted more money, but it's ill-advidsed to refuse play after NHL fans suffered through the four-month long malaise that was the NHL lockout.

But as stated previously, virtuoso play can cover a multitude of sins and that's exactly what Parnell Karl Subban has done this season.

No. 76 in the bleu-blanc-rouge leads all defensemen with 36 points and 11 goals, while sporting a plus-nine rating this season.

No question, Subban belongs as a Norris finalist and for his sake, his reputation has transitioned from tarnished to sterling not only in Quebec, but league-wide despite an inauspicious start to the season.

3. Ryan Miller, Goalie, Buffalo Sabres

American's darling goaltender? The anchor of the Sabres franchise?

Unfortunately, these statements might represent the past for Miller, who struggled mightily as did the Buffalo Sabres during the 2012-13 season.

The folks in Buffalo will not be included in the playoffs for a second straight season, posting a sub-par, sub .500 record, which forced long-tenured Lindy Ruff out of town. Part of the reason for the failure has been Miller, who has not resembled his former self in any way this year. Miller is having one of the worst years of his career statistically and isn't helping his cause with his actions off the ice.

Miller was extremely outspoken during the lockout, giving Commissioner Gary Bettman a good tongue-lashing in the process. He's also been outwardly vocal and critical of his Sabres teammates throughout the season, which has been met with mixed feelings.

In fact, Miller was on the trading block at the trade deadline—a shocking development to many.

The combination of his play, comments and contract status has radically changed the way fans view Miller, who was at the peak of popularity following the Vancouver Olympics. It's been a long fall from grace in just three years and we might just see Miller is a different uniform very soon.

2. Patrick Kane, Forward, Chicago Blackhawks

Superstar with super-slick hands on the ice and a nightmare off of it.

That was the reputation of bad-boy Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks prior to this season and although he scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 2010, the jury has always been out on Kane.

Much of the doubt in Kane's character stemmed from his run-in with a Buffalo-area tax driver, whom Kane punched, and the photos released of him partying in the back of a limousine, shirtless.

The 2007 No. 1 overall draft pick also saw his production dip following the 2010 Stanley Cup season, dropping in both goals and points in 2011 and 2012.

But, Kane's recommitment to the game has not only made him a Hart candidate this season, it has helped propel the Blackhawks to one of the greatest seasons in NHL history and revitalized his public image. Kane has 21 goals and 30 assists this season and he and Jonathan Toews are the only teammates with 20-plus goals and 20-plus assists apiece.

Patrick Kane is once again the superstar he was meant to be with fans pointing to his remarkable on-ice performance, rather than his frat boy antics away from the game.

1. Alexander Ovechkin, Forward, Washington Capitals

Alexander Oveckin's status as the best hockey player on the planet took the ultimate roller coaster ride during the 2012-13 season.

It might have felt more like a freefall for the first 25 games or so as the Capitals were buried at the bottom of the Easter Conference and Ovechkin mired in the worst scoring drought of his all-star career.

The "Great 8" seemed aloof and aimless, taking harsh criticism for his play and having his captaincy called into question by many. The worst of it came on national television with Mike Milbury of NBC Sports eviscerating Ovechkin for his play against the New York Rangers.

But the early-season slump was not an anomaly. Ovechkin, he of the 13-year, $124-million dollar contract, had seen a dip in production each year since the 2008-09 season when that deal was inked.

Then, it all changed starting March 17 in a 5-3 win over Buffalo. Ovechkin began a nine-game point streak that day and has 20 goals since St. Patrick's Day, moving him to 30 on the year, making him the Rocket Richard leader at present.

When looking back on 2012-13, we will remember it as the lowest point for one of the game's greatest players, but we will also look back on Ovechkin's performance as one of the great in-season turnarounds.