
NHL Predictions: 10 Players That Impressed in Preseason
The preseason may only be six games long, but it has given many teams an indication of who's who on their roster.
Many players used September as a time to show that they are the real deal and ready to take their team to the next level.
The following are ten players that impressed during the preseason.
Hal Gill
1 of 10
Hal Gill, who was plus-6 in the preseason, was a major reason why the Habs were able to make their miracle run last year.
His ability to stop superstars Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Alexander Semin in Washington and Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal in Pittsburgh helped the Canadiens advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Corey Perry
2 of 10
The Ducks are long removed from their 2007 Championship season, but Corey Perry looks like he's ready to do anything to get Anaheim back into the playoffs next year.
Perry had five goals in the preseason and continued to build upon his strong chemistry with teammate Ryan Getzlaf.
Marc-Andre Fleury
3 of 10
Often overshadowed by superstar teammates Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, the first player selected in the powerful 2003 NHL Draft, was solid in net for the Pens.
Fleury posted a 1.80 GAA and .936 save percentage, keeping the Penguins in every game they played.
Braydon Coburn
4 of 10
While fellow defensemen Matt Carle and Chris Pronger were the focus of Philadelphia's defensive corps, Braydon Coburn made a name for himself during the preseason.
Tied for first in the league with a plus-8 tally during the preseason, Coburn was responsible in his own end and made a case that he should be in the same sentence as his superstar teammates.
Drew Stafford
5 of 10
Much is expected from Drew Stafford in Western New York this year.
With 14 goals and 20 assists, Stafford was one of the league's biggest underachievers last season. Seeing Stafford tally seven helpers in the preseason should relax many anxious fans in Buffalo.
Pekka Rinne
6 of 10Even with the loss of defenseman Dan Hamhuis, the Nashville Predators are playoff sleepers this year and goaltender Pekka Rinne is a major reason why.
The defensive Preds only allowed him to see 67 pucks during his four starts, but Rinne made certain that they did not find the back of the net. Less than five percent of them touched twine and the overlooked goaltender had a GAA just below 1.00 (0.99).
Martin St. Louis
7 of 10
If the Lightning expect to get back into the postseason and even potentially take a run in the playoffs this year Martin St. Louis, who signed a four-year extension in the offseason, will have to be on top of his game.
St. Louis gave every indication he was during the preseason and should be ready to help the weapons around him -- Vincent Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos, and Simon Gagne -- find the back of the net next season.
Jonas Hiller
8 of 10
The defensive-minded Ducks are going to depend on Jonas Hiller to make some big saves in the clutch next season.
In four stars during the preseason Hiller gave every indication that he will. His 108 saves topped the league and he still had a solid 2.55 GAA and .923 save percentage.
Phil Kessel
9 of 10Much is expected of Phil Kessel, who will have to outplay top pick Tyler Seguin in order to justify the transaction that brought the sniper to Toronto from Boston.
The dynamic winger had a goal per game in the preseason and looks like he is ready to help the Leafs climb out of the Eastern Conference cellar next year.
Tomas Plekanec
10 of 10
After signing Tomas Plekanec to a six-year, $30 million deal in the offseason, the Canadiens are excited to see him score a goal per game in the preseason.
If Plekanec plays like he did during the preseason he could top the 25 goals he had last year and awaken a dormant offense in Montreal.
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