NHL Players Making the Most of Increased Roles in 2015-16
NHL teams are always in a state of flux during the regular season, due to injuries, slumps and hot streaks. Often we see role players or minor league prospects given opportunities, and that can be a short-lived audition in a new and difficult role.
Sometimes these players are highly anticipated and other times they come out of nowhere, grabbing a more prominent spot on the roster. Rarely do we see a minor league player emerge in this role, but it does happen and it has this season.
Here are 10 NHL players who are flourishing in new and more substantial roles in 2015-16.
10. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, Ottawa Senators
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Jean-Gabriel Pageau of the Ottawa Senators was a checking center in his third NHL season. In 2014-15, he increased his playing time and became a regular.
How Did He Get His Break?
Ottawa did not retain Erik Condra after last season. He is a brilliant checking center and has a similar skill set to Pageau, who replaced him on the depth chart.
How Has He Done?
Pageau has surprised everyone with his offensive ability, including seven goals—four of those on the penalty kill. He is part of a group of young Senators who are having an impact on games this year.
9. Tobias Rieder, F, Arizona Coyotes
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Tobias Rieder of the Arizona Coyotes emerged in 2014-15 as an effective two-way depth forward. His 13 goals were a terrific total based on his deployment and playing time.
How Did He Get His Break?
He forced his way up the depth chart with consistent two-way play and surprising offense. He is playing more this season, up over a minute per game in 2015-16.
How Has He Done?
Rieder is emerging as a more substantial young player than his numbers imply. He is even getting some power-play time and succeeding in that area. Coyotes fans appear to have a winner in this young forward.
8. Mike Condon, G, Montreal Canadiens
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Mike Condon of the Montreal Canadiens posted his first strong pro season in 2014-15, starring in the AHL for the Hamilton Bulldogs. He did not play an NHL game before this year.
How Did He Get His Break?
Carey Price is Montreal's franchise goalie, but he has endured some injury issues this season, the latest covered by CBC.ca on November 30. The injury opened up the Canadiens net and Condon got his shot.
How Has He Done?
Condon has been exceptional in his first NHL audition and has emerged as a legitimate NHL-calibre goaltender. He has played almost all of the minutes in Price's absence.
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7. Oscar Klefbom, D, Edmonton Oilers
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Oscar Klefbom of the Edmonton Oilers played in his first full NHL season in 2014-15.
How Did He Get His Break?
Klefbom forced his way up the depth chart with fine play and hard work. Faltering performances by Edmonton veterans like Nikita Nikitin and Andrew Ference allowed him to take advantage more quickly than had been anticipated this year.
How Has He Done?
He is delivering defensively, but the surprise is the offense. He has 12 points in 28 games and should exceed last season's 20 points by midseason. Edmonton has a fine young defenseman with a range of skills.
6. Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Buffalo Sabres
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What Was His Role Last Season? Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres was a young, developing NHL defender in 2014-15.
How Did He Get His Break? Ristolainen moved up the depth chart under new coach Dan Bylsma, and his time on ice increased almost four minutes over last year.
How Has He Done? He is enjoying a brilliant season, leading all Sabres' defensemen in ice time and putting it to productive use. Ristolainen is emerging as one of the fine young rearguards in the game.
5. Jeff Petry, D, Montreal Canadiens
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Jeff Petry of the Montreal Canadiens was playing out his career with the Edmonton Oilers at this time last year.
How Did He Get His Break?
Petry was traded by Edmonton to the Canadiens at the deadline and immediately flourished. He signed with Montreal during the offseason.
How Has He Done?
He continues to be a major player in the success of the Canadiens. Petry's quality play gives Montreal the kind of depth one associates with championship teams.
4. Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs was in his second NHL season, trying to establish himself as a quality regular.
How Did He Get His Break?
Rielly—like all young Maple Leafs—caught some good luck when Toronto hired Mike Babcock as coach. The simplification and structure of Toronto's game has been beneficial for the team's youth.
How Has He Done?
He is averaging two more minutes per game this year, with point totals on track to increase markedly. Rielly is one of the best young players on the team, and his progress should be encouraging for Toronto fans.
3. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Leon Draisaitl played the first half of the 2014-15 season in the NHL, before returning to junior and dominating at that level.
How Did He Get His Break?
Draisaitl was demoted to the AHL at the beginning of the year but received a call-up when injuries hit the roster and the team flagged offensively.
How Has He Done?
He is on fire and is one of the most impressive stories in the NHL at this time. Coach Todd McLellan placed him on a line with Taylor Hall, and the duo is having a major impact on games. Draisaitl is one of the emerging young talents on a loaded but struggling Oilers team.
2. Justin Faulk, D, Carolina Hurricanes
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Justin Faulk of the Carolina Hurricanes took a big step forward in 2014-15, posting 49 points to establish himself as a top-flight offensive defenseman.
How Did He Get His Break?
Faulk is playing the same role this year, although his power-play time increased from a year ago. He received two minutes, 42 seconds per game in 2014-15 and is at three minutes, 23 seconds this year.
How Has He Done?
He is having a major impact on special teams. Faulk's 11 power-play goals are one of the major stories of the season so far. The record is 19, by Sheldon Souray, and Faulk could be close by the All-Star break if he continues his rapid pace.
1. Artem Anisimov, C, Chicago Blackhawks
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What Was His Role Last Season?
Artem Anisimov was a Columbus Blue Jackets forward, struggling with a lot of young players in a difficult season. Anisimov played only 52 games in 2014-15, suffering a concussion and other injuries.
How Did He Get His Break?
He was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks as part of a package for Brandon Saad, thus starting a new chapter in his career.
How Has He Done?
He is a member of one of the league's most dangerous lines. Along with wingers Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin, Anisimov drives opponents crazy with fantastic moves and enormous puck possession. His range of skills are useful to the Blackhawks, and he should be playing deep into the spring.
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