surprises (positive: team):
LVG: though I don't think it will last
LAK: solid Quick, star Kopitar again, Doughty - could last
COL: not sold yet, but they are playing well right now
NJD: loved their off-season, but 14.7% shooting % not sustainable, will revisit
Surprises (postive : player)
Auston Matthews is a legit beast, two way player. I thought as a rookie he obviously excelled offensively, but watching a few Leafs games so far, I'm amazed, I don't think he's better than McDavid - just doesn't have the speed, but man with his size he could be Mario to McDavid's Gretzky.
Ovie and Backstrom: starts off at a blistering pace. once again breathing false hope into the Caps faithful
Zibanejad: shows offensive chops I didn't think he had, not sure if it's just a mirage fast start or not
Gostisbehere: took a lot of crap for a sophomore slump, comes back with a vengeance and is anchoring one of the best young D groups in the league.
Jesper Bratt and Will Butcher: it's early and Bratt probably falls off, but both expected to be back seat to Hischier, and both outshining him (on the scoresheet at least). Butcher of course is much older.
Victor Mete: 19 year old Habs defenseman looks like he'll stick, playing top pair minutes with Weber and so far playing flawlessly. Breathing life into the "small defenseman" theory - McAvoy, Butcher, etc.
Negative suprises: team:
MTL: though their 3.7% shooting % is a "positive" since that would be historically low, literally I believe a record by a mile, their results are bad and tied to middle pair D and Price.
NYR: I think they turn it around, it's early, and from games I've watched the effort is there and they too have a low shooting % - while I'm not a huge fan of analytics like Corsi being predictive of anything, I do believe shooting % will normalize eventually.
DAL: I loved their off-season. Can't say I have watched them much, but I expect they turn it around soon too.
EDM: the trendy pick to make the WCF, off to slow start.
Not going to give my opinion on too many disappointing players, but there's quite a few of them.
One trade topic: Canadiens and Islanders trade talk burning like wildfire in Montreal. Not Tavares I heard Leddy and Barzal, so who knows. Galchenyuk and Juulsen going the other way.
What do you think so far?
Oh, and I have seen some incredible games so far, but holy shit the slashing calls and face-off police need to end (as I mentioned in the Rangers thread)
Interesting how everybody wrote off the Kings, and meanwhile Quick was hurt most of last year. When he was healthy he was as good as ever. They are still really talented.
As I said on the eve of the season the young talent is overflowing in the league right now. Kucherov in Tampa is a future Hart candidate. the true shock of the league so far though has to be Colorado, especially when you realize they have played 4 of 6 on the road. Varlamov has been a beast, and Duchene has played great(his sweepstakes could really heat up).
The Atlantic is shaping up as a better division this year as Tampa is loaded, Toronto should be for real and you know Montreal will make some noise.
The youth in the NHL right now is as good as I time I can remember.
The other surprise team Vegas also won 5-4 in OT. Malcolm Subban started and got his second win. His numbers look solid so far. It was a great gamble for them to take on the talented goalie. Hopefully for Vegas he is ready to turn his potential into production.
No. I thought Juulsen had a shot to stick, but he broke his foot in training camp. Any time Mete was mentioned I thought too small, won't stick, but these smaller puck moving D are starting to become a trend.
He hasn't flinched yet. Sort of makes Juulsen expendable in the minds of some people (not mine). MTL is not known for their patience, so while the team sits at 1 - 4 - 1 right now if they don't right the ship quickly there will be changes.
It's maybe adrenaline, or energy from the new crowd or travel to LVG for opposing teams, or something other than them being a quality team.
I do believe eventually they'll start losing and it will snowball.
I don't hope it happens, they're a good story, I just think it will happen.
This isn't because I am a fan of the Devils but you can just tell from watching Hischier that he is going to be a stud. He won't be a McDavid or Matthews but there is nothing wrong with that. I would be perfectly happy if he is a similar caliber player to Toews, Taveras, Kopitar etc.
PJ, There is no way that Vegas is going to keep this up. They will still end up as one of the worst teams in the league this season but I too am rooting for them. Neal is off to a torrid start which he can't maintain. Either way it was a great pick by Vegas because they should be able to get a very good return for him at the deadline.
Whats the deal with Zach Fucale? Is he still a legit prospect or has he fallen off?
Whats the deal with Zach Fucale? Is he still a legit prospect or has he fallen off?
Lindgren has passed Fucale IMO and if the Canadiens realized El Cubano would have cleared waivers (like Pickard did) then I believe Lindgren would be backing up Price (who has been very mediocre to be polite) and Montoya would be in the AHL. Fucale is one of those pedigree goalies that just hasn't been consistent.
He's still only 22 years old and wouldn't be the first late bloomer goalie, but being demoted to the ECHL at 21 (last year) for a goalie of his stature is not a good sign.