Maligned NHL Players Proving Critics Wrong in 2014-15

Every now and then, fans and critics are humbled when a player metaphorically feeds them humble pie. It is a dish best served cold, and some prefer it a la mode. The NHL is very much a "what have you done for me lately" business, and judgment is passed rather easily from time to time.

This season, there are a number of maligned NHL players who are proving fans wrong, and it is time to give them their due. Here are the top maligned NHL players who are proving fans wrong so far in 2014-15.

Mike Ribeiro, Nashville Predators

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Things looked dire for Mike Ribeiro after the cash-strapped Phoenix Coyotes decided to use a regular buyout on him during the summer. News eventually broke that behavioral issues were the cause for the transaction, and many people thought that Ribeiro was done as a top-six scoring center.

While that was the popular opinion in August, things are looking up for the former Washington Capital, Dallas Star and Montreal Canadien.

In 30 games, Ribeiro has 26 points, and he has played like the first-line center the Nashville Predators have sorely needed. The word "rejuvenated" best describes Ribeiro this season, and he certainly is making some fans and critics eat some crow.

Cody Franson, Toronto Maple Leafs

Graig Abel/Getty Images

In August of 2013, there was a chance that restricted free-agent Cody Franson was going to end up in Europe because he couldn't finalize a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finally signed a deal, and he finished the 2013-14 season with 33 points in 79 games. 

Franson then became the subject of trade rumors, was criticized and then signed a new deal over the course of a few days. There seemed to be some uncertainty with Franson, but this season he is proving that he can produce in spades for the Maple Leafs. Through 30 games, Franson has 20 points, and he is on pace to finish with 55 points.

At this point, it looks like Franson will hit the free-agent market in July of 2015, and he will cash in for breaking out and living up to his potential.

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

John Russell/Getty Images

Over the last two seasons, Pekka Rinne has been an ordinary goaltender. While being ordinary isn't necessarily a bad thing, it is when you are making $7 million a season. The Nashville Predators have made an amazing turnaround this season, and Rinne has been at the forefront.

Rinne is the NHL's leader in wins with 20, and he also has a 1.76 goals-against average and .937 save percentage. While Rinne may not have been as maligned as some other players on this list, this season, he is proving that he is worth his contract.

Rick Nash, New York Rangers

Rich Lam/Getty Images

Rick Nash has been a perennial 30-goal scorer throughout his NHL career, but that didn’t stop him from being criticized for his play during the second half of the 2013-14 season and playoffs. Words like "overpaid," "overrated" and "overhyped" were thrown around with ease, and Nash was all but written off entirely.

This summer, he got into shape, and a new Rick Nash entered Rangers training camp. Through 29 games, Nash has 20 goals and 33 points, and he is on pace to have a career year. Nash is proving that he is one of the NHL’s elite wingers, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

Michael Martin/Getty Images

Fans have been very critical of Corey Crawford for the majority of his career, and many balked when he was given a nice contract extension. Some felt that it was a stupid decision and that the Blackhawks should have gone in another direction.

This season, there has been a different tune throughout the Windy City, because Crawford is playing superb hockey. Chicago has greatly benefited from his 12-5-1 record, 1.87 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

2014-15 looks like it will be a career year for Crawford, and he could be an integral piece for the Blackhawks and their quest to win another Stanley Cup.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Alex Ovechkin has many nicknames. He's been called Alexander the Great, the Russian Rocket, Ovie and Coach Killer. The last one is an insult more than a nickname, but it is still something associated with No. 8. When Barry Trotz was hired, many thought Ovechkin would regress and the Capitals as a team would struggle.

So far, the relationship between Trotz and Ovechkin has been great, and the Capitals captain has 14 goals and 26 points. He is also a plus-four, a positive from last season, and he's made more of a conscious effort to improve defensively.

For all the criticism Ovechkin has received when it comes to him and coaches, he has handled himself well this season.

Ryan Callahan, Tampa Bay Lightning

Scott Audette/Getty Images

Ryan Callahan has proved a lot of people wrong this season—primarily those based in the New York area. Callahan has been a player who has maxed out at 50-55 points and 20-25 goals at his best, but this season, he's posting some pretty solid numbers.

You could say he's riding the coattails of Steven Stamkos, but you have to credit Callahan for being able to keep up with a player of his stature. So far, Callahan has 11 goals and 25 points in 28 games, and he's on pace to finish the year with 30 goals and 69 points.

For those keeping score at home, that's more than Martin St. Louis is currently on pace to finish with.

Kris Versteeg, Chicago Blackhawks

Bill Smith/Getty Images

Kris Versteeg is a talented forward who started his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks. He won a Stanley Cup with the franchise, and was jettisoned to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and the Florida Panthers before returning to Chicago.

Last season Versteeg tallied 29 points in 63 games, and was a frequent healthy scratch in the playoffs. Things were looking down for him, and there was no guarantee about his immediate future with the Blackhawks.

So far he has distanced himself from his past failings, and he has 24 points in 28 games as one of Chicago' most productive forwards. The 28-year-old winger has made quite a turnaround, and has certainly redeemed himself.

Stats via NHL.com and The Hockey News.