Ranking the Most Improved Players in the 2014-15 NHL Season

NHL teams spend much of each season changing lines, pairings and assignments on the fly in an attempt to find the perfect fit. A struggling player means opportunity for others, and that can lead to huge improvements in performance based on new roles.

In a 30-team league with 82 regular-season games, there's a state of constant change on every roster. Emerging youth and veterans thrust into roles that are better suited to their skills can lead to new life.

Here are 10 men who improved markedly this season, stealing time from other NHL players and emerging—or re-emerging—as bona fide impact players for their NHL teams. One area of focus includes, but is not limited to, increase in total points year over year.

10. Jiri Hudler, RW, Calgary Flames

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Where Did He Come from? Jiri Hudler of the Calgary Flames arrived via free agency in time for the 2012-13 season. 

How Much Has He Improved? Hudler has improved his point total by 19 so far this season, and his goal-scoring total rose from 17 to 29 season over season.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? He has spent the season as the veteran presence on a line with Sean Monahan and rookie Johnny Gaudreau, as shown by Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com. The young Flames have blossomed with Hudler providing timely scoring and a veteran's touch for the trio. 

9. Jakub Voracek, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

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Where Did He Come from? Jakub Voracek has been a Philadelphia Flyers winger for four years now after coming over in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

How Much Has He Improved? Voracek has improved by 19 points so far this season over last year, with 33 points coming on the power play—an increase of 10 points from 2013-14. 

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? Voracek gives the Flyers another impact forward to go with Claude Giroux and offers hope to fans for next year. At 25, he is just coming into his prime and has a tremendous future.

8. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators

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Where Did He Come from? Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators was acquired at the 2008 draft. He was chosen No. 38 overall by the Predators.

How Much Has He Improved? Josi has posted a sharp increase in points—from 40 to 55 season over season—and is one of the best even-strength scorers among NHL defenders. 

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? Josi leads Nashville's defensemen in ice time and has stepped out of Shea Weber's shadow to establish himself as a top-quality player. His range of skills and ability to play heavy minutes make him extremely valuable.

7. Daniel Sedin, LW, Vancouver Canucks

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Where Did He Come from? Daniel Sedin was drafted No. 2 overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 1999. 

How Much Has He Improved? Sedin's improvement has been dramatic, 25 points at last count season over season. He is playing less—the 20 minutes of one year ago has been reduced by two minutes—but has been far more effective in those minutes.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? The offensive spike from Sedin has been very helpful in getting the team back to the playoffs. Along with twin brother Henrik and Radim Vrbata—as shown by Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com—the Canucks are getting terrific results with Daniel Sedin on the ice.

6. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues

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Where Did He Come from? Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues was acquired by using the No. 16 overall pick in the 2010 draft. 

How Much Has He Improved? Tarasenko has forced his way up the depth chart and has delivered an impact season. He has played more games and increased his point total by 28 so far this year.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? Along with Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz, Tarasenko has provided the Blues with another exceptional offensive option. The numbers from Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com reflect exceptional possession numbers and real even-strength offense.

5. Rick Nash, LW, New York Rangers

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Where Did He Come from? Rick Nash of the New York Rangers arrived in July 2012 from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a blockbuster trade. 

How Much Has He Improved? Nash has remained healthy this season—there was a concussion issue in 2013-14—and has re-emerged as an offensive force. His point total went from 39 to 69 from last year to this one, a 30-point improvement.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? Nash was a target of fans last spring during the playoffs, but he appears to be healthy this year. He has been slumping in recent weeks but is in the midst of a fine recovery season.

4. Nick Foligno, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

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Where Did He Come From? Nick Foligno of the Columbus Blue Jackets was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in July of 2012 for Marc Methot. 

How Much Has He Improved? Foligno is shooting more, and his 17 percent shooting percentage is also a major contributor to his first 30-goal season.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? He's scoring more in all areas, but the increase in power-play points is incredible. In 2013-14, Foligno ranked tied for seventh among Blue Jackets forwards with the man advantage; this season, he ranks No. 10 among all NHL forwards.

3. Sean Monahan, C, Calgary Flames

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Where Did He Come from? Sean Monahan of the Calgary Flames was acquired at the 2013 draft. He was selected No. 6 overall and came right to the NHL. 

How Much Has He Improved? Monahan has posted an exceptional season, up more than 35 points from his rookie season. This is an unusually large increase for a second year in the league and may indicate we're looking at an impact NHL player.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? Monahan has taken on a leadership role on offense at a young age. Organizations can't force this kind of surge, although Calgary knew it was getting a good prospect when it drafted him. Monahan's career path suggests he could be something very special.

2. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Where Did He Come from? Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning was acquired at the 2011 draft. He was chosen No. 58 overall and arrived in the NHL two seasons later. 

How Much Has He Improved? Kucherov is posting a scorching season compared to 2013-14, increasing his point total by 43 and scoring 28 goals compared to nine a year ago.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? Much of the improvement comes from opportunity. In 2013-14, Kucherov played much of the year with linemates J.T. Brown and Nate Thompson, as shown by Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com. This season, he has teamed up with Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat, with predictable results. It's worth mentioning that while Kucherov has been given an exceptional opportunity, he's delivered in the role in a very big way.

1. Devan Dubnyk, G, Minnesota Wild

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Where Did He Come from? The Minnesota Wild were having a tough time getting stops, so they made a trade with the Arizona Coyotes for Devan Dubnyk. It cost the Wild a third-round pick, and it might be the best trade they've ever made.

How Much Has He Improved? In 2013-14, Dubnyk was in the midst of a professional free fall and his NHL career was in danger. He washed out in Edmonton, Nashville and the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs during the season. He was at a professional crossroads before landing in Arizona and working with goalie coach Sean Burke. Dubnyk reset his focus, used his size along with good positioning to his advantage and turned his career around in less than a year.

What Has He Done to Improve the Team? Dubnyk has transformed the Wild from a good team with poor goaltending to a Stanley Cup contender in half a season. The transformation has been incredible; it's one of the best stories in the NHL this season.