Maligned NHL Players Proving Fans Wrong in 2016-17

There are several redemption stories across the NHL this season that are attracting a lot of attention. Some impact players who fell off from established levels one year ago are back on track—like Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers. Some former lottery picks who had been demoted to being role players and fringe options are now having major impacts on their teams.

It is a big part of the 2016-17 season, with some of the NHL's most successful teams cashing in from unexpected places. Some of last year's maligned players are having huge impacts on this year's playoff chase—in a good way.

Here are six maligned NHL players who are showing fans they were wrong this season.

Marian Hossa, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks is one of the greatest NHL players of this century, but he is beginning to show signs of age. Hossa, who turns 38 in January, scored only 13 goals and played in just 64 games one year ago. Both totals were low for Hossa, and many observers wondered about his ability to play a full season and impact the game offensively.

So far in 2016-17, though, Hossa's scoring touch is back in a big way. He has 16 goals in 34 games, already eclipsing his total from all of last season. He is playing the same number of minutes, but his shooting percentage has spiked from 6.8 percent to over 20.8 percent.

Fans should expect a market correction, but last season's erosion appears to have been the result of bad shooting luck. Hossa is approaching the end of a brilliant career, which is all the more reason to enjoy this current period of fine play.

Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets is back following a difficult 2015-16. Bobrovsky, who is one of the top goalies in the league this year, is a big part of the Blue Jackets' formidable rise.

In 2014-15, he delivered a season that included 30 wins and a .918 save percentage. At that point, Bobrovsky was considered a solid No. 1 goalie with a growing resume. In 2015-16, he fell back to 15 wins and just a .908 save percentage—below league average, let alone a quality starter.

This year, Bobrovsky is back and, if anything, better than ever. He owns a stunning .932 save percentage and leads the league with 19 wins. No one knows if the Blue Jackets are going to continue on their current terrific pace, but Bobrovsky is someone the club can count on. He is back, and that is a good thing for Ohio's hockey team.

Sam Gagner, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

The turnaround of Sam Gagner of the Columbus Blue Jackets is truly fascinating and an exercise in how important it is for organizations to utilize player strengths.

Gagner was a high draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2007 and posted good offensive numbers—while lagging defensively—through the 2013-14 season. At that time, with the Oilers embarking on yet another rebuild, Gagner was traded away and began the journeyman portion of his career.

By 2015-16, he was playing a fourth-line role with the Philadelphia Flyers. He played less than 14 minutes a night, scored eight goals and 16 points and occupied a depth role on the roster. For a former lottery selection, Gagner's demotion had to be difficult, but he kept working toward finding a way to make himself useful.

In 2016-17, Gagner and the Blue Jackets have found something that works. Gagner is still playing less than 14 minutes a night, but he has scored 13 goals and 22 points in 28 games. The big change for Gagner is on the power play, where he is one of four forwards who are ripping it up for the Blue Jackets. For Gagner, this is a new lease on life and an opportunity to re-establish his career as a regular. Ironically, he remains a depth forward at even strength.

Eric Staal, C, Minnesota Wild

Hannah Foslien/Associated Press

Eric Staal of the Minnesota Wild is enjoying a quality season, but things were far different one year ago. Staal, the franchise cornerstone of the Carolina Hurricanes for over a decade, was in his final year with the team. He would eventually be traded to the New York Rangers at the end of February—his fine Carolina career reduced to a deadline deal.

Staal approached the summer of 2016 as a free agent, and after a 39-point season, his value was not as high as one with such a good resume would ordinarily have in free agency. Staal caught on with the Minnesota Wild on July 1, though, signing a three-year, $10.5 million deal.

As the 2016-17 season progresses, it is becoming obvious that the Wild grabbed a bargain by adding Staal at such a reasonable price. He has 25 points in 31 games, is playing well in all disciplines and is helping Minnesota post a winning record so far this year. Staal is 32 and looked to be on a downturn in terms of career progression, but this season has changed all of that—much to the delight of NHL fans.

Jakub Voracek, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

In 2014-15, Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers scored 81 points in 82 games, giving his team an impact winger. In three straight seasons, he posted over 20 goals, including the lockout season of 2012-13, when he scored 22 goals in 48 games.

All of that changed in 2015-16, as Voracek saw his goal total cut in half with just 11 tallies. His point total also fell by 26, and Flyers fans were left to wonder about their gifted Czech winger. The fall in points was even more interesting when considering how little changed in his usage. Voracek played just over 250 minutes on the power play in 2014-15 and just shy of 240 minutes in 2015-16. However, he scored 27 power-play points in 2014-15 and just 18 in 2015-16, per Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.

This year, Voracek is back to a point-per-game production and has been playing effectively with veteran Claude Giroux and rookie Travis Konecny. The trio is delivering well at even strength, and Voracek is back to being a top-flight performer on the power play. 

Whatever happened last season in Philadelphia, Voracek has recovered and is back on course. The Flyers are benefiting from it and are one of the surprise teams in the NHL this year.

Alexander Radulov, RW, Montreal Canadiens

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Alexander Radulov of the Montreal Canadiens is having a substantial impact this NHL season, and that alone is news. Radulov's talent has always been obvious, but as a young man, he and the Nashville Predators could not find a way to make things work.

In his first two years with Nashville, Radulov performed well, and it was obvious he had the talent to play in the NHL. However, he bolted for the KHL before his third year and then left again after a short reprise in 2011-12. After that, it was back to Russia until this past summer, when he signed with the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent.

In 2016-17, Radulov is both productive and consistent, something that eluded him as a younger player. At age 30, he is enjoying a strong season in the world's best league, combining obvious talent with the maturity that comes with age and experience. Montreal fans are thrilled with their offensive winger, and this could be a long-term relationship.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com, NHL.com and Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com. Salary info courtesy of CapFriendly.