NHL Players Thriving Under New Coaches in the 2015-16 Season

Sometimes a change of scenery—or a new coach brought in—can help a player rejuvenate his career. It happens every season, and in 2015-16, some famous coaches with new addresses are working their magic. It's also true that some players in new NHL cities are responding to their new opportunities.

The question comes down to how much of it is the player, how much of it is the coach and how much of it is luck? One of the ways we can tell is comparing the player's role last season to their new one in 2015-16.

Here are eight players who are flourishing in their new roles on depth charts, with a big assist from their coaches. Rankings are based on their current roles with their NHL teams.

8. Joel Ward, RW, San Jose Sharks

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

What Was His Role Last Season? Joel Ward has been a consistent two-way winger for most of his NHL career. In 2014-15, he scored 19 goals for the Washington Capitals while playing most often with checkers Eric Fehr and Brooks Laich. 

What Changed? Ward has taken a substantial trip up the depth chart with the San Jose Sharks this season. He's most often seen with Patrick Marleau and Tomas Hertl, and their play at even strength together has been a big part of the Sharks' success.

How Has His Coach Impacted His Game? New Sharks coach Peter DeBoer is using Ward in a feature offensive spot and is being rewarded with great production. The benefit for San Jose is its scoring is spread out more and gives the opposition more problems. It's a good situation for Ward and his team.

7. Martin Jones, G, San Jose Sharks

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

What Was His Role Last Season? Martin Jones was a backup goalie for the Los Angeles Kings in 2014-15. He was below average in the role after an outstanding rookie season the previous year. 

What Changed? The Kings dealt Jones to the Boston Bruins in the Milan Lucic trade, and the Bruins sent him to the San Jose Sharks four days later for a first-round pick and prospect Sean Kuraly. The Sharks had decided to move on from veteran starter Antti Niemi, and Jones was their choice in net.

How Has His Coach Impacted His Game? Peter DeBoer is the new man in San Jose, and he gave the No. 1 job to Jones and let him run with it. The season is still in the early stages, but the results have been positive with him in goal for the Sharks.

6. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

What Was His Role Last Season? Leon Draisaitl played 37 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season but was unable to post much offense. He was eventually sent back to junior where he found his game. 

What Changed? The Oilers arrived in training camp this year with Connor McDavid as their new center for the No. 2 line, and Draisaitl was sent to the minors. When injuries hit, Draisaitl returned and caught fire with 13 points in his first eight games of the season. 

How Has His Coach Impacted His Game? New Oilers coach Todd McLellan moved Draisaitl to the wing, and the young forward responded very well. When McDavid was injured, McLellan moved him back to center, making sure he had lots of skilled, veteran support. Draisaitl has been so good he currently leads the NHL in five-by-five points per 60.

5. Nail Yakupov, RW, Edmonton Oilers

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

What Was His Role Last Season? Nail Yakupov of the Edmonton Oilers continued what had been a disappointing NHL career. The former No. 1 overall selection delivered pedestrian offense and did not progress as a two-way player. 

What Changed? For much of the early portion of 2014-15, Yakupov was playing with rookie center Leon Draisaitl—and they weren't scoring despite prime minutes. This season, Yakupov played with Connor McDavid most of the time before his injury, and the difference in production was striking. 

How Has His Coach Impacted His Game? Dan Rosen of NHL.com writes that Yakupov's agent—legendary former player Igor Larionov—credits new Oilers coach Todd McLellan with pushing the right buttons in regard to Yakupov. It also helps to play with a high-octane center in rookie Connor McDavid and a rugged, physical winger in Benoit Pouliot. McLellan gave Yakupov support, responsibility and the best linemates of his young career—and the results have been excellent.

4. Mike Cammalleri, F, New Jersey Devils

Adam Hunger/Associated Press

What Was His Role Last Season? Mike Cammalleri of the New Jersey Devils had a strong year in 2014-15, leading the team with 27 goals. He played most often with Travis Zajac and spent extended time with Jaromir Jagr during the year. 

What Changed? The Devils are deploying Cammalleri with two solid offensive players this season in Adam Henrique and Lee Stempniak.

How Has His Coach Impacted His Game? New coach John Hynes appears to be doing several things to get Cammalleri—one of the team's few real offensive players—into good situations. His shots-per-game totals are up to 2.76 a game compared to 2.29 a game last year. Also, his offensive zone starts have increased 10 percent, and he is on pace for a much better season offensively.

3. Artem Anisimov, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

What Was His Role Last Season? Artem Anisimov was a quality center for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2014-15. He played on one of the feature lines with Nick Foligno and a variety of other partners. 

What Changed? Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks during the offseason, Anisimov is playing more and posting stronger offensive numbers—while also playing a solid two-way game. 

How Has His Coach Impacted His Game? Joel Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks has a large number of offensive weapons at his disposal, and he's been playing Anisimov most often with winger Patrick Kane. The production on this line has been solid, and their possession numbers are also impressive. Chicago acquired a complete player and is using him in an ideal role.

2. James van Riemsdyk, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

What Was His Role Last Season? James van Riemsdyk of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored 27 goals in 2014-15 but was not an effective even-strength player. On a line with Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel, the possession numbers and the goals against when he was on the ice showed a player who was bleeding chances and goals.

What Changed? Mike Babcock's arrival in Toronto coincided with a new-look line for Van Riemsdyk. He's playing with two-way forwards Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov, and the results have been exceptional—you could argue this line is one of the best possession lines in the NHL this season.

How How His Coach Impacted His Game? Babcock's style is more defensive, with responsible play being the No. 1 concern. Kadri at center appears to be the key, with strong play on the defensive side, while Van Reimsdyk's role on the line remains to produce offensively.

1. Patrick Sharp, LW, Dallas Stars

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

What Was His Role Last Season? Patrick Sharp was employed as a two-way forward with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014-15. He was most often used with veteran Brad Richards and a variety of wingers. The job was a secondary offensive role for the team. 

What Changed? The Hawks dealt Sharp to the Dallas Stars over the summer, and the spike in offense so far this year is pronounced. Sharp is not far from a point-per-game pace. 

How Has His Coach Impacted His Game? Coach Lindy Ruff has placed Sharp in what might be the best spot for any winger in the NHL—on a line with impact scorers Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Sharp's performance so far this year suggests he's going to stay on the line and have a banner year.

Advanced stats courtesy of Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com. All other stats courtesy of NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com.