Officially, each NHL workforce is already previous the midway level of their season. By the time you learn this, most groups could have performed 50 or extra video games. But the All-Star Game is that this weekend and that marks a form of unofficial midseason level for the yr.

So we’re utilizing the event to look again at what’s occurred up to now and stay up for the remainder of the season.

Can the Bruins carry their momentum all the best way to a Stanley Cup win? Who’s touchdown the No. 1 choose within the draft? Is Connor McDavid a lock for the Hart Trophy? What’s the largest shock this season?

We requested a bunch of our writers to evaluate the NHL season up to now. Here’s what they needed to say.

Who will win the Stanley Cup and why?

Eric Duhatschek: Boston. I’ve been using Carolina exhausting all yr, however I’m switching horses right here due to the accidents and uncertainty surrounding the Hurricanes’ goaltending, which finally undermined them final yr. As one GM instructed me final week: The Bruins are making the NHL appear to be a rec league. They have scoring, depth, expertise, management, a deep one-to-six protection and one of the best one-two goaltending punch within the league. History says the Presidents’ Trophy winners not often go on to win all of it. I say historical past shall be confirmed unsuitable this season.

Shayna Goldman: I guessed Boston dropping within the Cup Final in preseason, so I’m going to keep it up. Who wins all of it? While the probabilities of two back-to-back winners feels slim, I nonetheless like Colorado’s possibilities as soon as they’re wholesome and sure add a bit on the deadline.

Sean Gentille: I’m undecided if the Bruins dropping three in a row instantly after this query was posed was an excellent signal or a foul one, however it’s nonetheless unimaginable to select towards them. Even after that skid, they’re on tempo to tie the 1995-96 Red Wings for essentially the most wins in an everyday season.

Dom Luszczyszyn: Everyone is selecting Boston and proper now it feels unimaginable to not — even after dropping three straight. No sense being contrarian for the sake of it. This is a “Last Dance” season for the Bruins and up to now they’ve delivered.

Sean McIndoe: I’ve had the Bruins on the prime of my rankings for months now, so I assume I’ve to stay with them. Hurricanes are wanting scary, although, and the simpler path out of the West may imply we’re sleeping on that convention’s handful of contenders.

Predict the ultimate 4

Duhatschek: Boston, Carolina, Colorado, Edmonton

Gentille: Boston, Carolina, Dallas, Vegas

Goldman: Boston, Carolina, Colorado, Seattle

Luszczyszyn: Boston, Carolina, Colorado, Edmonton

McIndoe: Boston, Carolina, Dallas, Vegas

Who’s going to complete thirty second and have one of the best odds for Connor Bedard?

Duhatschek: Chicago. But it can all rely upon which workforce’s beginning goaltender falters essentially the most persistently.

Gentille: Yeah, it’s nonetheless the Blackhawks’ to win. Something tells me Tank Commander Kyle Davidson has a couple of extra tips up his sleeve if want be.

Goldman: Columbus. The Blue Jackets will transfer sufficient items on the deadline to plummet within the standings, and it seems like hockey karma may be of their favor since they didn’t attempt to be unhealthy like different groups …

Luszczyszyn: Chicago has essentially the most to lose on the deadline by way of helpful expertise and that might see the Blackhawks plummet even additional than their present standing. Pay no thoughts to their latest sizzling streak — an icy chilly stretch will certainly observe.

McIndoe: Chicago isn’t holding down final place proper now, however as unhealthy as they’ve been they’ll get rather a lot worse by buying and selling veterans. They will.

Who ought to win the Calder Trophy?

Duhatschek: Matty Beniers, Seattle. On a Kraken workforce that’s far exceeded expectations, Beniers has been a key cog, somebody who performs with way more poise, maturity and consistency than the overwhelming majority of younger gamers, looking for their approach within the NHL proper now.

Gentille: Beniers. He’s a model title, a excessive choose, a scoring ahead and among the finest gamers on one of many league’s greatest surprises. It’ll be exhausting for folk to show that one down, even when his output dips a bit.

Goldman: Stuart Skinner could be a enjoyable one right here, contemplating that he’s introduced some stability between the pipes in Edmonton. But it seems like that is Matty Beniers’ trophy to lose. He’s beginning to deliver the star energy the Kraken want together with his two-way play, and is making an affect on the scoresheet.

Luszczyszyn: Matty Beniers is the stylish choose proper now, however regulate Owen Power — particularly if the Sabres make a significant stride this season. It’s all the time tough to check forwards and defenders, however Beniers and Power have proven an analogous affect at five-on-five. The distinction is Power is doing a bit extra with much less assist. I’d nonetheless go together with Beniers, however Power is making it nearer than some may assume.

McIndoe: Voters are normally bizarre about goaltenders with regards to the Calder, however I’ll characterize my podcast buddy Jesse Granger right here and present some like to Logan Thompson. The Golden Knights are constructed to be contenders, and all of it may have fallen aside with Robin Lehner lacking the season. Thompson has accomplished an admirable job holding down the fort below tough circumstances.

Who ought to win the Vezina Trophy?

Duhatschek: Linus Ullmark, Boston. There are plenty of methods to measure a goaltender’s effectiveness — from conventional old-school stats to a dozen new-age metrics — however throughout the goaltending fraternity itself, normally the factor that counts essentially the most is: Did you win the sport? And Ullmark, this yr, to date, has received 25 instances, misplaced 4 in regulation and a 3rd in time beyond regulation. Sometimes, it’s vital to not look too far previous the factor that’s proper in entrance of your nostril.

Gentille: This goes to be an attention-grabbing one to trace over the following couple months; Ullmark is having a top-five particular person season for a juggernaut workforce, and if Sorokin is slightly worse, Islanders followers are checking Tankathon standings. Connor Hellebucyk is my choose, although, partially as a result of the Jets have the best remaining schedule.

Goldman: Ilya Sorokin’s having a superb season and offers his workforce an opportunity to win nearly each night time. That ought to make him the front-runner, however many really feel the Vezina-winning goalie have to be on a playoff workforce. If that holds him again (regardless that it shouldn’t as a result of he’s preserving the Islanders within the combine), then Connor Hellebucyk ought to get the nod for his sturdy play in Winnipeg.

Luszczyszyn: The Vezina race is likely one of the most intriguing this season. By public metrics all 4 of Linus Ullmark, Ilya Sorokin, Juuse Saros and Connor Hellebuyck have a really sturdy case. They’ve every been excellent. For this season it’s exhausting to not go together with Ullmark. Yes, he has essentially the most assist with the league’s greatest protection in entrance of him, however he’s taken how sturdy that workforce protection may be to a different degree together with his play.

McIndoe: His numbers aren’t fairly as sturdy as Ullmark and Sorokin, however I’ll solid my vote for Connor Hellebuyck. There’s no such factor as a most precious goalie award, but when there was I believe Hellbuyck would win it. I’ll give my Vezina nod too, at the very least for now.

Who has been one of the best coach?

Duhatschek: Dave Hakstol, Seattle. In my thoughts, it’s truly a tie between Hakstol and Jim Montgomery in Boston, but when I can choose just one, it’s Hakstol as a result of I didn’t see Seattle turning into remotely aggressive this yr; whereas I used to be one of many few individuals who, at first of the yr, warned it was too quickly to put in writing off Boston. The incontrovertible fact that the Kraken are within the thick of the playoff race, with Martin Jones firmly ensconced as their starter, is simply too scrumptious for phrases.

Gentille: I discussed narratives earlier. Montgomery’s traces up with Boston’s efficiency. The roster is nice, however he additionally walked in, supplied precisely what they wanted from a character standpoint, handled an entire bunch of season-starting accidents and by no means seemed again.

Goldman: I believe it needs to be Jim Montgomery. It’s not simply because he walked onto a really gifted workforce. Players like David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand make the job simpler, positive. But the best way the group performed whereas a few of their elite expertise was sidelined was spectacular, and so is the best way he’s helped maximize expertise to carry out at such a constant degree this yr. Jake DeBrusk and Charlie Coyle have taken strides below him, Pavel Zacha looks like he’s in a significantly better place to succeed, and we’re seeing extra of Hampus Lindholm taking part in on the excessive degree we all know from his prime years.

Luszczyszyn: This one feels prefer it’s Jim Montgomery’s to lose. “Best coach” is usually considered because the “sorry, we thought your team would suck more” award and whereas that has benefit right here (even by essentially the most optimistic Bruins forecast), it’s nonetheless tough to not go together with Montgomery. The Bruins have a gifted roster and he’s been precisely what the group has wanted to get 110 % out of each participant. The approach the workforce survived accidents to famous person expertise to begin the season doesn’t harm his case both.

McIndoe: Devils followers haven’t been the one ones chanting “Sorry Lindy.” I figured he was useless coach strolling in New Jersey, and even tried to foretell the precise date of his firing. Oops. Instead, he’s engineered one of many greatest single-season turnarounds in years.

Who has been one of the best participant on a brand new workforce?

Duhatschek: Matthew Tkachuk, Florida. If the machinations round Calgary’s low season roster strikes — Tkachuk and Gaudreau out, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri coming in — was the largest story of the offseason, then Tkachuk’s comparatively seamless adjustment to Florida (62 factors in his first 47 video games) stands out, even when the Panthers as a workforce have gone backward this yr. But a fast honorable point out to Kevin Fiala, transferring from Minnesota to Los Angeles, the place he has been a point-a-game participant for the Kings, primarily working on the third line at even energy. Fiala has added a inventive offensive dimension to a Kings’ workforce that, after a jumpy begin, is rediscovering its defensive identification.

Gentille: I’m glad Eric talked about Fiala. We’re seeing the precise motive L.A. went out and obtained him — high-end five-on-five expertise. They’re extra attention-grabbing by a stable margin now, they usually’ve obtained him to thank. But yeah, put me down for Tkachuk. Florida’s obtained issues, and he isn’t one in every of them.

Goldman: It needs to be Tkachuk, however that’s probably not shocking contemplating he was the highest-caliber participant to be on the transfer. In an effort to be completely different, let’s give some stick faucets to John Marino. He appeared to have plateaued in Pittsburgh a bit final yr, and has been a stabilizing drive in New Jersey. He absorbs a number of the hardest minutes and has helped elevate this to one of many stronger blue traces within the league because of the depth the Devils now have.

Luszczyszyn: This may be very simply Tkachuk. He’s a capital “S” famous person and was price each penny of the commerce and signing. There had been many who questioned whether or not he may replicate final yr’s breakout with out Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm and people questions have been completely answered. He ranks sixth in GSVA this yr at 3.4 wins. The subsequent closest newcomer is Brent Burns at 1.9 wins.

McIndoe: Yeah, I believe I’ve to go together with the gang and say Tkachuk. Although let’s not neglect Claude Giroux, placing up practically a degree per sport for a not-very-good Senators workforce that might be an entire lot worse with out him.

Who has been essentially the most disappointing participant on a brand new workforce?

Duhatschek: Huberdeau, Calgary. Last yr, Huberdeau completed tied for second within the league, with 115 factors, averaging 1.44 factors per sport. This yr, he’s presently fifth on Calgary, with a 0.71 points-per-game common. It’s been a tricky go, attempting to regulate to a brand new workforce and a vexing new teaching voice.

Gentille: Ah, we’ve reached the “time to dump on Jonathan Huberdeau” portion of the proceedings. Yep, he’s been unhealthy. Yep, he signed for $700 millon and 35 years forward of the season. But man, the Flames are a wholesale disappointment. I’m not about guilty him for all of it, regardless that he’s obtained my vote right here.

Goldman: It needs to be Jonathan Huberdeau. It appeared just like the Flames had been going to have a brand new look that might lengthen their window of rivalry with extra balanced scoring between the highest two traces, plus extra defensive stability for Huberdeau that might assist him succeed. Instead, the winger has fallen flat and the Flames are burning out whilst their schedule eases. Good factor Calgary solely has one other eight years, at $10.5 million in cap area of him left!

Luszczyszyn: Jack Campbell was delivered to Edmonton to be a succesful starter and has seemed like one of many league’s worst goalies. John Klingberg was delivered to Anaheim to be a top-pairing defenseman and has seemed like one of many league’s worst defenders. Jonathan Huberdeau was delivered to Calgary to be an elite top-line winger and has as an alternative … seemed like a top-six winger exhibiting some defensive maturation. That’s precipitated difficulties with how Huberdeau creates offense, however it’s not as dramatic a dropoff as Campbell and Klingberg. Those two are actively hurting their groups. Huberdeau, disappointing as his manufacturing has been, continues to be serving to an general dysfunctional Flames workforce.

Give me Klingberg right here. I don’t assume many grasp simply how terrible he’s been defensively this season. Klingberg has been on the ice for 4.12 anticipated objectives towards per 60. The earlier excessive for a defenseman taking part in over 500 minutes was Janis Moser at 3.36 final season.

McIndoe: Factoring in contracts, it needs to be Huberdeau, with an honorable point out to Jack Campbell. But let’s not neglect John Klingberg, who was alleged to get a monster deal final summer season earlier than settling for a one-year deal in Anaheim that was alleged to set him as much as rack up numbers earlier than a deadline transfer to a contender. Did you even keep in mind what workforce he was on earlier than I introduced him up?


Jonathan Huberdeau. (Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)

What has stunned you most this season?

Duhatschek: Seattle’s rise. Back on Jan. 25, the Kraken crushed the Vancouver Canucks 6-1, to get to 61 factors within the standings, which is yet one more than they earned all of final yr. They are presently on tempo for a .641 win share which might be the all-time for a second-year NHL workforce (St. Louis, at .579, in its second season, could be subsequent, adopted by Vegas, at .567). The Kraken are doing it with balanced scoring, well timed goaltending, and a four-line doggedness harking back to the Golden Knights “misfits” method below Gerard Gallant of their Season 1. So spectacular, on so many alternative fronts.

Gentille: I picked the Flames to win the Stanley Cup and for Jacob Markstrom to win the Vezina. How am I alleged to go together with the rest? Markstrom’s slide, final yr’s postseason meltdown towards Edmonton apart, has been significantly shocking. His .893 save share is down 17 factors from his profession common and 29 from final season, and his Goals Saved Above Expected is down with the Erik Kallgrens of the world at 58th. I’ve by no means been extra unsuitable (don’t truth verify).

Goldman: Sticking with the Flames right here. Over the summer season it appeared like administration discovered a approach to mitigate catastrophe with a barely completely different method — now not would this be a workforce outlined by their prime line, however by a robust prime six that includes Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri, with an much more stout protection to assist assist their sturdy goaltending. That … has not been the case in any respect. There’s nonetheless time for Calgary to show it round and their schedule transferring ahead has lightened, however the Flames nonetheless should discover a approach to reap the benefits of it. Considering how a lot administration invested of their window over the following couple years, and the way bleak the long run is after that, this season’s been a disappointment up to now.

Luszczyszyn: Every season affords loads of shock worth and it’s the unpredictability that makes this league so enjoyable. I’m going with the Panthers right here. They had plenty of overhaul in the course of the offseason and a brand new coach who’s infamously under common, however it was nonetheless exhausting to think about final yr’s Presidents’ Trophy winners stooping this low. Especially with Tkachuk dwelling as much as the hype. There’s sufficient expertise on the roster that Florida ought to be working at a better clip than an 85-point tempo.

McIndoe: Lots of issues, as a result of I’m unhealthy at predicting the NHL. But I’ll go together with Boston. I wasn’t one of many doom-and-gloom varieties who thought they’d fall out of the playoffs. But I definitely didn’t see this coming, or something shut. And on the different finish of the Atlantic, I believed absolutely the worst case for the Panthers was in all probability 100 factors and a wild card. It was not.

Favorite second up to now this season?

Duhatschek: Börje Salming’s ovation at Hall of Fame weekend. In 1976, I used to be within the seats at Maple Leaf Gardens when Salming, taking part in for Team Sweden within the Canada Cup, acquired the longest-standing ovation I’ve ever witnessed, earlier than or since. Accordingly, to see him honored by Toronto followers throughout a pre-game presentation at Hall of Fame weekend, after his ALS prognosis, with a touching, rousing ovation was each transferring and heartbreaking on the identical time. It was a becoming sendoff to one of many sport’s true pioneers who handed away days after his return house to Sweden.

Gentille: I’ve watched Kris Letang and Alex Ovechkin battle one another since I used to be a Pittsburgh native in school within the D.C. space. Thus, an unused a part of my mind fired up once I watched Ovechkin skate over to Letang pregame final week and say good day. Letang had a stroke and misplaced his father within the span of a month, and Ovechkin was simply checking in on a man he’s competed towards for components of three many years. It’s the little issues.

Goldman: Tage Thompson’s been the story of the final year-plus. He’s jumped out as one of the electrifying gamers within the league together with his ability and flexibility. That actually was placed on show when he scored 5 objectives towards Columbus in December — with six factors in simply two durations of play. The solely disappointment was that his ice time was capped under 14 minutes, however it was a uncommon blowout price watching from begin to end simply to see what the Sabres’ drive would do.

Luszczyszyn: I’m going to cheat slightly and go together with a second from the summer season: the Matthew Tkachuk commerce. It’s not usually we see a blockbuster of that magnitude and whereas all of us knew Tkachuk was on the transfer, it was tough to fathom the return being Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar — two uber-talented gamers in their very own proper. I’ve all the time longed for participant motion within the NHL to emulate the NBA and for a quick second in July we obtained a glimpse of that feeling.

McIndoe: It’s in all probability recency bias, however I beloved the best way Canucks followers gave Bruce Boudreau the sendoff that he deserved. That entire state of affairs was an embarrassing mess, however understanding precisely when a coach was going to be fired gave followers the uncommon alternative to pay some respect. It was a cool second, and you can inform it meant rather a lot to him.

(Top photograph of David Pastrnak: Winslow Townson / Getty Images)



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