The Biggest Reason for Optimism for Every NHL Team in 2014-15
The start of every NHL season brings an air of optimism for each team and its fans.
For Stanley Cup contenders, there's the prospect of achieving their championship goals. Playoff hopefuls raise their expectations of taking the next step toward Cup contention. The previous season's non-playoff clubs aspire to earn a postseason berth.
Various factors go into this early-season optimism. It can be the performance of star players or the composition of a roster. A team that struggles early can bank on having sufficient time remaining in the season to reverse its fortunes.
Other factors can include the improvement of a promising player, the contributions by a recently acquired veteran or a key player overcoming injury.
Here's a look at the biggest reason for optimism for every NHL club this season. Please feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section.
Anaheim Ducks: Ryan Kesler Is Adjusting Well
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The Anaheim Ducks acquired Ryan Kesler from the Vancouver Canucks in the offseason to bolster their depth at center. So far, the 30-year-old Kesler has delivered as expected.
After spending 10 seasons with the Canucks, Kesler's had no difficulty fitting in well with Anaheim. Kesler currently ranks fourth among the Ducks' leading scorers. He's also among their leaders in faceoff percentage and ice time.
Kesler's two-ways skills, experience and leadership should be significant factors in the Ducks' pursuit of a Stanley Cup title this season. As long as he avoids serious injury, Kesler will be a key component of the Ducks lineup.
Arizona Coyotes: Mikkel Boedker's an Emerging Star
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After a 51-point breakout performance in 2013-14, Arizona Coyotes left winger Mikkel Boedker appears poised for stardom this season.
The 24-year-old Boedker has started strong, leading the Coyotes after six games with five goals and six points. The bulk of that offense was the result of a hat trick during the Coyotes' 7-4 victory on October 16 over the Edmonton Oilers.
With captain Shane Doan aging and veteran winger Radim Vrbata having departed via free agency, the Coyotes will lean on Boedker this season to lead their offensive attack. If his performance since last season is any indication, he's up to the challenge, which should provide a boost to the Coyotes' playoff aspirations.
Boston Bruins: A Skilled Veteran Core
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With a 4-5-0 record after nine games, the Boston Bruins are off to an unexpected slow start. Given their experienced depth, it's only a matter of time until they rally back to their usual dominant form.
The offseason departures of right wing Jarome Iginla and defenseman Johnny Boychuk appear to have taken an early toll this season. The Canadian Press reports (vis TSN.ca) captain Zdeno Chara could miss four to six weeks with a knee injury. However, they still possess a Vezina Trophy winner in goalie Tuukka Rask and skilled veterans like Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand.
This isn't the first time the Bruins have stumbled from the gate. In October 2011, they dropped six of their first nine games but finished the season second overall in the Eastern Conference. Despite several roster changes since then, their core players should help them overcome their current struggles.
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Buffalo Sabres: Nowhere to Go but Up
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The Buffalo Sabres were the NHL's worst team last season, finishing with a mere 52 points. In the early going this season, they're once again at the bottom of the standings. However, the Sabres are in the midst of a significant roster rebuild, so there's really nowhere to go but up.
This season will provide an opportunity for management and the coaching staff to evaluate young players like Zemgus Girgensons, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov and Sam Reinhart. It also gives veteran additions Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges the chance to establish themselves as team leaders.
Most significantly, another season near the bottom of the standings improves their chances of winning the NHL 2015 draft lottery and selecting junior hockey sensation Connor McDavid first overall.
Calgary Flames: Head Coach Bob Hartley
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The rebuilding Calgary Flames missed the playoffs last season but finished with a respectable 77 points in 82 games. They're off to a surprisingly good start to this season. Credit the skills of head coach Bob Hartley for getting the most out of this rebuilding roster.
The Flames currently lack a franchise player or genuine star talent. Their veteran scorers are Jiri Hudler and Mason Raymond. They're backstopped in goal by Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo. They have one solid defense pairing in Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie. Promising youngsters Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau are struggling to score.
However, Hartley has the Flames working well as a unit. They've bought into his system, characterized by hard work and belief in themselves. The Calgary Sun's Randy Sportak reports Hartley is in the final season of his contract. Should the Flames continue to improve, he'll likely be rewarded with a new deal.
Carolina Hurricanes: Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner Returning from Injuries
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It's been a tough start to this season for the Carolina Hurricanes, who lost second-line center Jordan Staal four to six months to a broken leg suffered in preseason action. Winger Jeff Skinner was subsequently sidelined on October 5 by a concussion, while Jordan's brother Eric went down with an upper-body injury on October 11.
Had Staal and Skinner been sidelined long term, it would've been devastating for the Hurricanes. Fortunately, the club reports Staal could return to action on October 28, while Skinner returned on October 21 against the Winnipeg Jets.
After going winless in their opening six games (0-4-2), the return of skilled veterans Skinner and Staal gives the the Hurricanes a chance to overcome their poor start. Their playoff hopes rest in part on these two having healthy, productive seasons.
Chicago Blackhawks: Despite Cap Issues, They're Still Cup Contenders
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The Chicago Blackhawks enter this season with virtually the same roster that won the 2013 Stanley Cup and advanced to the 2014 Western Conference Final. That puts them in great position as Cup contenders this season.
It will also be the last for their current group. CapGeek.com indicates salary-cap constraints will leave the Blackhawks with over $65.788 million invested in 15 players for 2015-16. Assuming the salary cap jumps from $69 million to $75 million, that willl leave less than $10 million to re-sign free agents Brandon Saad, Marcus Kruger, Brad Richards, Johnny Oduya and Michal Rozsival.
Blackhawks management face difficult roster decisions next summer, which could mean shipping out a core player or two to free up cap space. With that in mind, it could provide additional motivation for their current core to push for one last championship together.
Colorado Avalanche: Learning to Overcome Early Adversity
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Last season, the Colorado Avalanche were the NHL's most surprising team, finishing atop the Central Division with 112 points. They're off to a sluggish start this season, but the good news is there's plenty of time to reverse their fortunes.
The Avalanche's core is 25 and younger, led by forwards Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly, so there will be some growing pains. They're also facing far more attention, meaning they cannot surprise clubs early in the season as they did a year ago. Losing starting goalie Semyon Varlamov to a groin injury also hampers their performance.
Despite these difficulties, it's likely only a matter of time until they overcome this slow start. They're a talented young team facing adversity following a dominant performance last season. This should be a character-building learning experience, which will benefit them in the long run.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Johanson Is a Budding Superstar
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Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen is showing few ill effects from missing training camp and preseason to a contract dispute. Johansen is currently among the Blue Jackets' leaders in scoring and faceoff percentage.
Johansen's performance has helped lift his club to a 4-2-0 record through six games. His play has also offset the absence of several key players to injury. As per TSN.ca, the Jackets are missing right wing Nathan Horton (back injury), left wing Boone Jenner (broken hand) and center Brandon Dubinsky (lower-body injury).
Superstars have the ability to improve the performance of their teammates. They can also carry a team through adversity. Johansen has accomplished both for the injury-riddled Blue Jackets while putting to rest lingering doubts about his abilities.
Dallas Stars: Jason Spezza Starring in Dallas
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The Dallas Stars acquired Jason Spezza from the Ottawa Senators last summer to provide a much-needed boost of skill and experience to their offense. So far, so good, as Spezza ranks among their leading scorers.
It was hoped Spezza would center the second line, but in recent games, he was moved up to the first line between young guns Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. It remains to be seen how long that combination remains intact, but they're working well together so far.
Whether he's on the first or second line, the 31-year-old Spezza is having a fine debut with the Stars. Should he go on to have a productive season, it could convince the pending unrestricted free agent that his future belongs in Dallas.
Detroit Red Wings: Gustav Nyquist Is for Real
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Forward Gustav Nyquist was a pleasant surprise for the injury-ravaged Detroit Red Wings last season. Called up in late November 2013, Nyquist led the Red Wings in goals (28) and finished third in points (48) in only 57 games.
Nyquist has carried over that scoring touch into 2014-15. With this season less than a month old, he is once again among the Wings' leading scorers.
While the Wings' other promising young players have been slow out of the gate this season, the 25-year-old Nyquist has proved last season's numbers were no fluke. With veterans like Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen aging and prone to injuries, Nyquist is the most reliable of the Wings' young guns.
Edmonton Oilers: Taylor Hall's Performance
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The play of 22-year-old left wing Taylor Hall is among the few bright spots in what's been a miserable start for the Edmonton Oilers. He's earned the praise of Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter, who told LAKingsInsider.com he considers Hall “arguably the best left winger in the game.”
Since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, Hall has become a reliable point-per-game player for the Oilers. He tallied 50 points in 45 games in 2013 and collected 80 points in 75 games last season. In his first seven games this season, Hall scored four goals and assisted on two others.
With only two wins in their opening seven games, the Oilers dug themselves an early hole in the standings. Hall's performance gives them something to rally around as they attempt to overcome their early-season struggles.
Florida Panthers: A Stingy Defense
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The Florida Panthers began this season with a 2-2-2 record through six games. They can thank their solid defensive play for giving them a chance to win in most of those contests.
While the Panthers are among this season's lowest-scoring teams, they're among the top 15 clubs in goals against per game and shots against per game. That's why all but one of their losses in their opening five games were by one goal.
Keeping the puck out of their zone and out of their net isn't a problem for the Panthers. If they can kick-start their anemic offense, they could rise in the standings.
Los Angeles Kings: That '70s Line
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Late last season, Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter put young wingers Tyler Toffoli (No. 73) and Tanner Pearson (No. 70) with center Jeff Carter (No. 77). Dubbed “That '70s Line," the trio were a hit in the 2014 playoffs, playing a crucial role in the Kings' march to the Stanley Cup.
They've carried over that playoff success into this season, as the trio are currently the Kings' leading scorers. Through seven games, Pearson leads the Kings in goals with five, while Toffoli is their leader in assists with five.
With Toffoli, Pearson and Carter firing on all cylinders, the defending Cup champion Kings will remain a difficult opponent this season.
Minnesota Wild: Darcy Kuemper's Goaltending
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Goalie Darcy Kuemper's strong play early in this season has alleviated concerns over the status of the Minnesota Wild's goaltending after starter Josh Harding was sidelined indefinitely with a broken foot.
Kuemper opened the season with back-to-back shutouts of the Colorado Avalanche. He gave up only two goals on 26 shots in the Wild's 2-1 loss on October 17 to the Anaheim Ducks. His performance earned him second star of the week honors from the league. On October 23, he collected his third shutout with a 2-0 blanking of the Arizona Coyotes.
If the 24-year-old Kuemper maintains his consistency in the coming weeks, Harding could find it difficult to regain the starter's role when he returns to action.
Montreal Canadiens: Galchenyuk and Gallagher
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Montreal Canadiens forwards Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher have displayed plenty of offensive potential since their NHL debuts during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. The young duo could be on the verge of breakout performances this season.
The 20-year-old Galchenyuk and 22-year-old Gallagher are currently among the Canadiens' leading scorers. Through seven games, Galchenyuk has seven points while Gallagher has five.
Last season, the Canadiens were in the bottom third of the league in goals per game (2.55). Thanks in part to Galchenyuk and Gallagher, the Habs sit among the top 15 this season. The ongoing improvement of their two young stars should continue to provide a significant boost to the Canadiens offense.
Nashville Predators: Pekka Rinne Returns to Form
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Through the opening seven games of their season, the Nashville Predators are unbeaten in regulation (5-0-2). A key factor has been goaltender Pekka Rinne. He's posted a record of 5-0-1 with one shutout, a sparkling 1.62 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage.
It's no coincidence the Predators missed the playoffs while Rinne was hampered by a hip injury in 2012-13 and sidelined most of 2013-14 dealing with complications from hip surgery. When healthy, Rinne is among the league's top goaltenders. He's a two-time Vezina Trophy finalist (2011 and 2012).
With Rinne now fully recovered and regaining his form, the Predators stand a good chance of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
New Jersey Devils: Scoring Punch
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The New Jersey Devils are currently among this season's top 10 teams in goals per game. That's a considerable improvement over last season, when they finished 27th overall in that category.
Several factors have contributed to this improvement. Offseason acquisitions Mike Cammalleri and Martin Havlat are among their leading scorers, along with rookie defenseman Damon Severson. Veterans Michael Ryder, Ryane Clowe and Adam Henrique are also enjoying solid starts.
This offensive improvement has taken much of the pressure off aging veterans Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias. If these scorers can continue to consistently cash in this season, it could provide a considerable boost to the Devils' playoff hopes.
New York Islanders: Young Guns
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The New York Islanders bolted from the gate this season, winning five of their opening seven games. While several veteran additions (goaltender Jaroslav Halak, defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy, forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin) have played significant roles in this improvement, their young scorers deserve much of the credit.
Superstar center John Tavares is among the NHL scoring leaders, showing no lingering effects from February's season-ending knee injury. Right wing Kyle Okposo and sophomore forwards Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome also ranked among the Islanders' leading scorers.
Long-suffering Islanders fans have been waiting years for this team's rebuilding process to finally pan out. Led by their young guns, the Isles could be legitimate playoff contenders this season.
New York Rangers: Rick Nash's Scoring Touch
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New York Rangers right wing Rick Nash is off to a terrific start this season. He leads the Blueshirts in goals and points and is also among the league's leading goal scorers.
It's been a tough start for the defending Eastern Conference champions. They went 3-3-0 in their first six games, lost Derek Stepan (fractured leg), Dan Boyle (broken right hand) and Dan Girardi (leg) to injuries and starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist got off to a slow start.
Nash's strong early performance should help the Rangers recover from their stumbling start. It's also an indicator the 30-year-old winger has put last season's playoff struggles and injury woes behind him.
Ottawa Senators: Improved Goaltending
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The Ottawa Senators' goaltending tandem of Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner are off to strong starts to this season. Anderson has a record of 2-1-0 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .939 save percentage, while Lehner is sporting a 2-0-0 record with a 1.92 goals-against average and .950 save percentage.
Those early numbers are a significant improvement over last season's stats for both goalies. Combined with the Senators' woeful defensive play last season, the shaky performances of Anderson and Lehner contributed to their club's inability to reach the 2014 playoffs.
The Senators' defensive game still needs improvement, as they're among the league leaders for most shots against per game. The improved play of their goaltending tandem has overcome this issue for the time being, perhaps buying the Senators time to work on their defense.
Philadelphia Flyers: A Better Start for Claude Giroux
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Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux is enjoying a healthy start to this season. His two goals and nine points after seven games has him among the Flyers' top scorers. That's a considerable improvement over his slow start last season.
Hampered by an offseason injury to his right hand, the Flyers captain went scoreless through his first five games in 2013-14. He collected only five assists in his first 10 games and needed 16 games to tally his first goal.
The Flyers are currently struggling through another slow start. Giroux's strong play could help his club overcome their early deficit in the standings quicker than they did a year ago.
Pittsburgh Penguins: A New Head Coach
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have opened the season sporting a 3-2-1 record through their first six games. While they're still getting used to new head coach Mike Johnston, it doesn't appear as though he's struggling to adjust to coaching at the NHL level.
Johnston was hired this summer to replace Dan Bylsma, who had coached the Penguins to a Stanley Cup in 2009 but was unable to get them back to another championship. Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski wondered if Johnston, a long-time junior hockey coach, was prepared for the pressure of coaching the Penguins.
In the wake of blown leads leading to losses to Dallas and Detroit, it's apparent there's still some kinks to work out. Still, Johnston seems to be handling the pressure well, which should help the Penguins adjust to his system.
San Jose Sharks: No Captain, No Problem
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The San Jose Sharks are off to a decent start to this season, posting a 4-3-1 record in their opening eight games. Given their depth of talent, that shouldn't be surprising. What's notable this year, however, is they're doing it without a captain.
During the offseason, Sharks management stripped Joe Thornton of the captaincy. Thornton was instead named an alternate captain, along with Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
Losing the captaincy hasn't hurt Thornton's performance, as he is among the Sharks' scoring leaders. While the Sharks' recent losses have exposed some defensive issues, leadership doesn't appear to be a problem.
St. Louis Blues: Strong Start by Young Wingers
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Five games into this season, the St. Louis Blues lost center Paul Stastny to injury. Forward T.J. Oshie has still been held off the scoresheet. A bright spot, however has been the play of 22-year-old wingers Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Through six games, the pair are the Blues' leading scorers. Schwartz leads the club in goals (four) and points (seven), while Tarasenko is tied for third in points with five.
It's only a matter of time until Stastny returns and Oshie regains his scoring touch. That—and the continuing development of Schwartz and Tarasenko—should provide the Blues with a devastating offensive attack over the course of this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Sophomores Palat and Johnson
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Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson came to prominence during their rookie debuts last season. The Calder Trophy finalists were key reasons why the Lightning overcame the loss of superstars Steven Stamkos (broken leg) and Martin St. Louis (traded to the New York Rangers) to finish third overall in the Eastern Conference.
Any concerns Palat and Johnson might suffer an early sophomore slump have so far been alleviated by their respective performances in October. The pair are currently among the Lightning's leading scorers.
Given the Lightning's improvement last season, Fox Sports Florida's Andrew Astleford reports the players and coaches knew they would face heightened expectations this season. The early play of Johnson and Palat suggests they're up to the challenge.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Avoiding an Early Collapse
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled with consistency, rolling out to a 3-3-1 record in their opening seven games. They are middle of the pack in goals per game and goals against per game and among the bottom third in shots against per game.
Despite these issues, however, the Leafs have avoided falling into a deep early-season hole in the standings. They rallied back from 0-2-0 and 2-3-1 records. Top forwards Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk continue to lead the way offensively. Offseason acquisitions Leo Komarov and Mike Santorelli have fit in well, while rookie defenseman Stuart Percy is a pleasant early-season surprise.
The Leafs are still coping with their late collapse last season and a summer of offseason changes behind the bench and in the front office. That they've managed to avoid an early deficit in the standings provides some hope they've put last season behind them.
Vancouver Canucks: The Sedins Regain Their Scoring Touch
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Vancouver Canucks superstars Daniel and Henrik Sedin are off to a terrific start this season. Through six games, the twins are tied for the team scoring lead with eight points.
This is a big improvement for the Sedins, who struggled through injuries and the defensive-first system of then-head coach John Tortorella last season. Though they led the Canucks in scoring in 2013-14, both had their lowest numbers (Henrik had 50 points, Daniel 47) over a full NHL season since 2003-04.
With a new coach in Willie Desjardins and a new linemate in right wing Radim Vrbata, the 34-year-old twins seem rejuvenated. While the pair are unlikely to come close to their career-best numbers again, they could be on pace for 70-80 points each. That could go a long way toward helping the Canucks contend for a playoff berth.
Washington Capitals: Ovechkin Buys into Trotz's System
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When it was announced on May 26 that the Washington Capitals had hired former Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz as their new bench boss, Sportsnet's Gord Stellick and Brad Fay wondered how well he would coexist with Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin.
It was a fair question. Trotz is among the most respected coaches in the NHL and preaches a responsible two-way style. Ovechkin, while an explosive offensive superstar, isn't exactly known for his defensive play.
According to CSNWashington's Chuck Gormley, Ovechkin's teammates claim their captain has completely bought into Trotz's system. Gormley notes Ovechkin is on pace for 328 hits and 82 blocked shots, which would significantly exceed his career highs of 243 hits and 44 blocks. With Ovechkin buying in, the Capitals went 3-1-2 in their opening six games.
Winnipeg Jets: Improved Defensive Game
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The Winnipeg Jets stumbled out to a 2-4-0 start in their opening six game. They struggled to score, sitting among the bottom third in goals per game (1.83) and power-play percentage.
While they're still trying to kick-start their offensive game, the Jets have put up solid defensive numbers. They are among the top 10 teams in shots against per game and on the penalty kill.
The Jets possess several players (Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglein, Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little and the currently sidelined Evander Kane) with scoring skills. It's only a matter of time until they start cashing in. If they can balance that out with their solid defensive play, the Jets could challenge for a playoff berth this season.
Unless otherwise indicated all player and team stats via NHL.com.
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