Now that the NHL is on the doorstep of the season’s halfway point, it’s a good time to reflect on players who gave unexpected comfort to their owners. And while none of the below talents qualify as unforeseen rookie gems (Niclas Bergfors, Dan Sexton) or bounceback stories of the season (Vaclav Prospal), instead consider these players finally living up to long-held expectations, at least for this season.
UNEXPECTED ROSTER GEMS
Ilya Bryzgalov (G, PHO) – I think it’s safe to say that Ilya Bryzgalov’s days of being in J.S. Giguere’s shadow over with the Anaheim Ducks are far behind him. This season, the Phoenix Coyotes netminder is vying with Ryan Miller for top goalie honors thanks to a 22-11-4 record, .927 SV%, 2.03 GAA and 5 shutouts. Is it any wonder that November 17, 2007 ended up being one of the few shining days for the otherwise hapless ‘Yotes, who were swift enough to pick up Bryzgalov up off waivers and in the process, ensure themselves a franchise goalie for a good number of years?
Marion Gaborik (RW, NYR) – He was one of the off-season’s hugest free agent signings and while his overall skills were never a question mark, the Slovakian sniper’s ability to stay healthy was what made him such a high risk/high reward pickup. Those who gambled on Marion Gaborik won big time as this elite sniper has not only managed to stay healthy, but has been responsible for 25 percent of the New York Rangers’ offensive output up through the halfway point of the season.
Ryan Malone (LW, TB) – The epitome of a power forward, Ryan Malone has been a perennial 40-to-50 point player whose hard-nosed style of play always rewarded owners across a host of categories. Streaky play was also an unfortunate part of Malone’s formula. This season seems to be the exception as he’s having a career year in racking up a number of impressive stats including leading the league in game-winning goals (7) as well as being second in goals on the Lightning (19). Add in 16 helpers, a +9 rating, 40 PIMs, 9 power play points and one shortie to go with 119 shots on goal and you end up with one of the most well-rounded players donning skates in the NHL today.
Matt Carle (D, PHI) – Despite being a highly touted 2003 Sharks draft pick, Matt Carle ended up washing out of San Jose before landing with Tampa Bay for a brief 12-game stint in 2007-2008 before getting shuttled off to the Philadelphia Flyers. Since being partnered with elite blueliner Chris Pronger this season, Carle has excelled. Currently carrying 19 points and a robust +12 rating, he kicked off the Philly home opener by tying the NHL record for assists in a period with 4 and in the process, helping Mike Richards notch his second career hat trick.
Jussi Jokinen (LW, CAR) – Not a whole lot has been going right for the Carolina Hurricanes between the tidal wave of injuries and inconsistent play that’s landed the them at the bottom of the league. Even though Jussi Jokinen has had his fair share of ups-and-downs that are endemic to this kind of team in crisis, he’s been a bright spot for a lineup often in search of some lamp-lighting punch. In addition to toting 25 points, (8 on the power-play) and an acceptable -2 rating, (a revelation for a squad that’s been so defensively deficient), Jokinen has potted 2 game-winning goals, earned points in 8 of the team’s 10 wins and potted 7 goals in 9 of the contests that fall in the W column for the Canes.
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jussi Jokinen (36), of Finland, scores a goal past Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore (60) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, in Washington. Also seen are Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal (12) and Matt Cullen (8). (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
DL DEBUTS
Erik Cole (RW, CAR) – For the second time this season, Erik Cole landed on the DL courtesy of an upper body injury dating back to December 12. Just as Cole was starting to get his legs under him, (he netted a hat trick during a December 5 tilt against the Vancouver Canucks), he landed on the IR. Owners and Canes fans can take solace in the fact that he’s slated to bring his scoring punch back to the lineup in mid-January.
Jason Spezza (C, OTT) – The injury bug may have been scarce around the Ottawa Senators but when it struck, it did some considerable damage starting with Jason Spezza. The Sens’ 2001 first-round draft pick sustained a torn MCL during a December 14, 3-2 loss against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Spezza is out up to eight weeks, meaning he won’t be skating for Ottawa until the March 1 post-Olympic break.
Daniel Alfredsson (RW, OTT) – The second half of the double injury whammy occurred when Daniel Alfredsson went down with a separated shoulder during a December 23, 8-2 drubbing administered by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fortunately, Alfredsson’s injury wasn’t as severe as Spezza’s and as a result, he should be returning by mid-January, just in time to start gearing up to play for the Swedish national team in Vancouver.
Kevin Bieksa (D, VAN) – Along with feet broken while blocking shots, injury-causing skate lacerations seem to be on the rise. (Just ask Cam Ward). The rough-and-tumble Vancouver Canucks blueliner ended up having his ankle gashed during a December 29, 3-2 OT loss against the Phoenix Coyotes. With a diagnosis that has Bieksa out for at least two months, the impressive amount of PIMS and points he brings to the table will need to be replaced. In the meantime, owners of Canucks blue-liners Alexander Edler, Christian Erhoff and Sami Salo get a significant bump up in their value.
Semyon Varlamov (G, WAS) – Groin injuries are the bane of any hockey player, particularly goalies, which explains why the Washington Capitols’ young creaseminder has been out since December 9. Currently rehabbing with the Caps’ Hershey Bears minor-league affiliate, Varlamov is expected back by the end of the week.
