We are just past the quarter point in what has been an incredibly fun and interesting NHL season. There have been some tremendous games played and storylines being played out. Here are some things that have had me talking:
◼ Is there a team that has surprised more (in a good way) than the New Jersey Devils? After a 2016-17 season that was disappointing, to say the least, this year’s Devils have been consistent and very fun to watch. GM Ray Shero was intent on making this team capable of playing a style similar to that of his former employer, the Pittsburgh Penguins, by adding speed, skill and attitude. And he has done it with the help of six former Boston College standouts.
Cory Schneider (Marblehead, Mass.) has rebounded in goal this season and looks much more comfortable with the hiring of his former goalie coach in Vancouver, Roland Melanson, now in New Jersey. Steve Santini, who started training camp as depth defender, has established himself as a legit reliable defenseman playing big minutes against opponents’ better skaters. After being bought out by his hometown Boston Bruins with one year left on a deal, Jimmy Hayes (Dorchester, Mass.) was offered a tryout and came into camp motivated and in great shape. He has filled a role as a depth player well and is vocal in the room.
Miles Wood (Manchester, Mass.) continues to mature and plays a power forward role that often has him charging through opponents while making his way to the net. Brian Boyle (Hingham, Mass.) was signed as a free agent to provide leadership both on and off the ice, but had his season delayed due to being diagnosed with leukemia. After being treated and cleared to play, his return to the Devils lineup helped provide some stability and size to the team and his presence has been reassuring to many of the younger players.
And finally, and perhaps one of the best hockey stories so far in the entire league, Brian Gibbons (Braintree, Mass.) has catapulted himself into almost every conversation when it comes to the Devils’ success with his never-ending energy and determination to show his GM that his acquisition was worth it. Brought into the organization by Shero in the summer of 2016 to primarily help the PK, Gibbons has provided offense at unprecedented levels by being relentless on pucks and utilizing a quick release. At the time of writing this article, he has 10 of his career total 15 NHL goals this season. Gibbons is only 5-feet-8, 175 pounds, but his strong, powerful skating and high-level hockey IQ keeps him competing on all shifts. At 29 years old, and after six solid AHL seasons, he is more than making the most of his Devils opportunity.
◼ Tampa Bay is hands down the best team in the Eastern Conference. As one player recently said, "They’re playing chess while every one else is playing checkers." It’s been an amazing job by GM Steve Yzerman to continue to keep his core players surrounded by high-level talent that develop into the next wave of "core players." There is no better example of that than Brayden Point. The 5-foot-10 Calgary native popped onto the scene last year after playing the previous year in Moose Jaw of the WHL. His play has warranted secondline minutes and pushed 5-foot-8 Tyler Johnson down to the third line. The signing of three-time Stanley Cup winner Chris Kunitz in the offseason was one of the best moves any team made, as his winning pedigree resonates through the room. Think Bill Guerin going to the Penguins in 2009 or Mark Recchi coming to Boston in the same year. The impact that kind of player can have on a team is significant.
And depth on the blue line is no different as Yzerman’s signing of longtime New York Rangers defender Dan Girardi to a free-agent deal after a buyout has proved shrewd. His simple style and effectiveness in his own zone has provided exactly what Tampa needed to allow others (i.e. Victor Hedman) to flourish in more offensive roles. Yes, most of the big attention goes to the dynamic duo of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov and Norris-caliber defender Hedman, but this Tampa team is more about "team" than anything else.
◼ In the West, how about the play of the St. Louis Blues so far — completely surprising me and many others to say the least. Jake Allen has matured into a bonafide No. 1 NHL goalie, the defense continues to shine (and is producing even more offensively despite the loss of Kevin Shattenkirk), and up front the trio of Vladimir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz has dazzled. All three are on pace to establish career highs in points. Head coach Mike Yeo has his team playing a fun brand of hockey that includes all of his defense being aggressive. Many times, for example, you will see a Blues D-man in the offensive zone corner battling it out instead of releasing to get back to the point. Like Tampa, St. Louis has a Norris contender in Alex Pietrangelo who also can play heavy minutes. This is a deep team that seems to have found its rhythm this season.
◼ Johnny Gaudreau has seemingly found a new level. Now a grizzled veteran in his fourth full season, the 24-year-old has made some plays that simply amaze. His ability to hold onto the puck for significant time is matched only by Patrick Kane (and maybe Clayton Keller … more on him below). Johnny’s reads of defenders’ holes are uncanny and his patience is unnerving to many. He rarely forces plays and is comfortable trying things many won’t consider. I am always happy to watch a Flames game late at night because I know there’s a good chance I will be entertained by him.
◼ And finally, the play of many rookies in the NHL has been so much fun to watch. Every year we seemingly get treated to 19- or 20-year-olds who shouldn’t be able to do what they do at such a young age. At the quarter pole, the aforementioned Arizona Coyote Keller (Boston University) has a slight edge in the Calder running if I was given a vote, as he has done more with less around him. Despite opponents targeting him, he still finds a way to slinky his way around the ice and control both pace and the puck. But he’s not alone when it comes to star rookies. I love the way Mathew Barzal sees the ice for the New York Islanders. His passing and vision is scary good. Nico Hischier (the No. 1 overall pick in last June’s draft) and Jesper Bratt have brought New Jersey fans out of their seats with dynamic play.
Charlie McAvoy (Boston University) has been as good as advertised for the Bruins and often leads them in ice time. His ability — and willingness — to try and make plays from the back end is impressive, as is his ability to move on from making a mistake. Incredibly quick learner. Brock Boeser (Vancouver) has one of the best shot releases in the league already and is making goalies fish pucks out of their nets with regularity. After not signing with the Colorado Avalanche, former Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher has impressed Devils coaches with his ability to make plays from the blue line and get pucks through. He’s also better in his own zone that many give credit for. And lastly, former Harvard Crimson star Alex Kerfoot has shown himself incredibly well in Colorado (he declined the Devils after being drafted by them). Kerfoot’s willingness to play in the harder areas has allowed Avs coaches to use him regularly, and his game has helped get Colorado become a more respectable team.
