The Rankings Boys are again on the town after a two-week vacation hiatus — simply in time for the halfway level of the NHL season.
The center of the season affords an excellent probability to replicate on what’s occurred to this point and look forward to what might occur going ahead. For some gamers meaning placing their greatest foot ahead after a gradual or disappointing first half.
That’s what this week’s theme is all about: Gamers who have to step up within the ultimate 41(ish) video games.
Dec. 20 rank: 2
Sean’s rating: 1
Dom’s rating: 1
It’s onerous to select a participant who must “step up” on the league’s greatest crew. The Golden Knights are the place they’re as a result of all the roster has been fully dialed in by the primary half of the season. If we needed to choose one, although, we are going to go along with Nicolas Roy. He’s lastly getting a much bigger position after enjoying some extremely efficient hockey in a sheltered position, however the transition hasn’t been seamless. He’s struggled defensively greater up the lineup and will stand to wash issues up.
Dec. 20 rank: 1
Sean’s rating: 2
Dom’s rating: 2
On one hand, Andrew Mangiapane deserves credit score for what he’s delivered to Washington’s lineup; he’s scoring at a 20-goal tempo, and the Capitals are decisively profitable his minutes. None of their forwards have been on the ice for fewer anticipated objectives per 60.
That mentioned, think about how the Caps would look if Mangiapane channeled the 2021-22 model of himself when he scored 35 objectives for the Flames and compelled his approach into the Staff Canada dialogue. Critically, if NHL gamers went to the 2022 Olympics, he would possibly’ve been on the airplane.
Dec. 20 rank: 12
Sean’s rating: 3
Dom’s rating: 3
Logan Stankoven began the season red-hot with 14 factors in his first 15 video games. He has simply 5 within the 23 video games since. If Dallas’ declare to fame is its ahead depth, these sorts of slumps are inexcusable. Stankoven wants to search out extra consistency within the second half — he’s too good to go that chilly for that lengthy.
Dec. 20 rank: 4
Sean’s rating: 4
Dom’s rating: 5
The bar for Auston Matthews is extraordinarily excessive. At his greatest, he’s a perennial MVP candidate who scores at will and dominates at each ends of the ice. Suffice to say, that model of Matthews hasn’t proven up a lot this season as he performed by damage by a lot of the primary half of the season. Matthews has seemed so much higher since returning and the Leafs will want him to maintain that up within the second half. A primary-ever Atlantic Division title is on the road.
Dec. 20 rank: 10
Sean’s rating: 5
Dom’s rating: 4
It was at all times going to be powerful for Jeff Skinner to get again to the 60-point vary in Edmonton with out prime power-play time. A spot within the prime six subsequent to one of many two greatest gamers on the earth ought to’ve helped make up a few of the distinction, however it was onerous to belief Skinner that top up within the lineup. For the season he has simply 15 factors in 39 video games, a far cry from the 50-point tempo many had been anticipating.
Dec. 20 rank: 16
Sean’s rating: 6
Dom’s rating: 6
When Colorado acquired Casey Mittelstadt final spring, the thought was that they’d added a top quality depth piece for the foreseeable future. That’s … not what they’ve gotten. Mittelstadt has scored twice since Halloween, taken a step again as a playmaker — at one level going 18 video games with no five-on-five help — and posted an atrocious 44.7 anticipated purpose price. He’s bought to do extra.
Dec. 20 rank: 9
Sean’s rating: 7
Dom’s rating: 7
Total, Cole Perfetti’s numbers aren’t nice — with top-six minutes and a good little bit of power-play run, he ought to most likely have greater than 23 factors in 42 video games. The speed stats aren’t fairly both, with 1.34 factors per 60 at five-on-five.
It will get worse, although, when you think about that he scored 9 of these 23 factors in a five-game cluster again in October. For a contender, the Jets (as at all times) are somewhat quick on playmakers. Extra from Perfetti would go a great distance.
Dec. 20 rank: 11
Sean’s rating:
Dom’s rating: 8
The Kings are paying Kevin Fiala good cash — $7.87 million in opposition to the cap — to do some greater than produce 1.97 five-on-five factors per 60. That places him with the Jesper Boqvists and Ross Coltons of the world; strong gamers, however no one’s thought of top-six difference-makers. L.A. seems much more like a legit contender if Fiala reverts to type.
9. Florida Panthers, 25-15-2
Dec. 20 rank: 3
Sean’s rating: 9
Dom’s rating: 9
Sergei Bobrovsky has been good of late, with a .940 save share over his final six begins, however his physique of labor this season has been common — actually, a .903 save share and 1.52 objectives saved above anticipated is about as common as a goalie can get. Backup Spencer Knight (.891, minus-1.06 GSAx) has been worse. Florida doesn’t want these guys to be nice, however it’d be good to get a extra constant cushion.
Dec. 20 rank: 5
Sean’s rating: 10
Dom’s rating: 10
Sooner or later, we’re going to have to simply accept that Andrei Svechnikov isn’t going to be a franchise scorer. Even with these lowered expectations in thoughts, nevertheless, his output this 12 months has nonetheless been disappointing. Svechnikov is scoring at only a 59-point tempo. That’s most likely extra dangerous luck than something, however that also means Svechnikov must execute higher.
Dec. 20 rank: 6
Sean’s rating: 11
Dom’s rating: 11
Tampa Bay’s prime half may be the scariest within the league, however that doesn’t imply the Lightning aren’t with out their vulnerabilities. That backside half? Hoo boy, is it scary in an entire different approach.
That was to be anticipated going into the season. Nonetheless — that doesn’t imply there isn’t room for gamers to step up. The third pair particularly, Emil Lilleberg and Nick Perbix, has seemed tough regardless of enjoying a few of the league’s cushiest minutes.
Dec. 20 rank: 7
Sean’s rating: 13
Dom’s rating: 12
As a two-way drive, Joel Eriksson Ek seems nearly as good as ever. His five-on-five numbers proceed to be wonderful at each ends of the ice.
What’s made Eriksson Ek a legit top-line middle in latest seasons, although is that he’s change into a powerful producer on prime of that, scoring nicely over one purpose per 60 minutes of play in three of the final 4 seasons. Proper now, he’s at 0.78. That’s not an enormous drop, however when each different core piece has matched or elevated their traditional play, it’s a noticeable one. There’s nonetheless some meat on the bone left for Eriksson Ek, particularly if he stays wholesome after lacking most of December with a lower-body damage.
Dec. 20 rank: 8
Sean’s rating: 12
Dom’s rating: 13
Nearly as good as Dawson Mercer’s numbers are defensively in a troublesome position subsequent to Nico Hischier, he might stand to convey extra offensively. For the season he’s scored simply 1.53 factors per 60 which leaves the Devils wanting within the prime six. It may’t simply be the crew’s prime 4 guys producing all of the offense — somebody must step up and that somebody needs to be Mercer. He actually seemed like a participant who might be that man in his first two seasons; he simply hasn’t taken a step ahead since.
Dec. 20 rank: 27
Sean’s rating: 14
Dom’s rating: 15
An damage to Sean Monahan is dangerous information for the Blue Jackets, however it does depart the door open for Adam Fantilli to step up and present he generally is a difference-maker. Whereas the crew as an entire has been a nice shock this season, Fantilli has been the precise reverse as he’s been mired in a sophomore hunch. On prime of not scoring a lot, he by some means has a 35 % xG price on the season. Fantilli has much more to present.
Dec. 20 rank: 13
Sean’s rating: 16
Dom’s rating: 14
We’ll prevent all from yet one more blustering blurb concerning the present ahead feud on the prime and as a substitute speak about an arguably larger downside: Each defenseman not named Quinn Hughes.
The crew’s defensive depth seemed like it could be a difficulty going into the season. As a substitute, it seems like a full-blown disaster. It’s dangerous however it additionally shouldn’t be this dangerous. A scarcity of dependable puck-movers is an enormous downside and if Tyler Myers is the second man over the boards in extra time, you’re going to have a nasty time because the Canucks did Wednesday in opposition to the Capitals. Vancouver isn’t in panic mode but, however does want main assist past Hughes; this doesn’t appear to be a difficulty that may be solved within the room.
The Senators want extra from Shane Pinto. (Marc DesRosiers / Imagn Photographs)
16. Ottawa Senators, 19-18-3
Dec. 20 rank: 14
Sean’s rating: 15
Dom’s rating: 16
We’ll lower Shane Pinto not less than a little bit of slack. No Senator has been burned extra by dangerous luck — Ottawa is controlling 55.16 % of the anticipated objectives when he’s on the ice. Not too shabby.
Nonetheless, the person has 4 assists on the season. He’s producing main assists (0.32 per 60) at a worse price than Brett Pesce, Jaccob Slavin and Alex Service — three defensive defensemen. Secondary assists? Even worse. Pinto’s 0.11 per 60 a) seems like a typo and b) is tied for 617th within the league. He must be higher, interval.
Dec. 20 rank: 22
Sean’s rating: 17
Dom’s rating: 18
Credit score to the Blues — they’re getting loads from their prime guys. It’d be good for them, although, if Brandon Saad might go on a little bit of a heater. He’s scoring at a 14-goal tempo this season, down from 26 in 2023-24. Extra manufacturing would both assist with their wild-card push or increase his inventory on the deadline. Both could be welcome.
18. Utah HC, 17-16-7
Dec. 20 rank: 17
Sean’s rating: 18
Dom’s rating: 17
In his first two seasons, Matias Maccelli carved out a distinct segment as a productive, playmaking winger and seemed like a official constructing block for no matter comes subsequent in Utah. Yr 3 has been ugly — his five-on-five factors per 60 have practically been lower in half (2.57 to 1.32), as has his main help price (1.17 to 0.55).
19. Calgary Flames, 19-14-7
Dec. 20 rank: 18
Sean’s rating: 19
Dom’s rating: 20
Yegor Sharangovich was productive sufficient in his first season with the Flames — 59 factors in 82 video games — to signal a five-year, $28.75 million contract extension. He hasn’t adopted that up, although, with 11 general factors in 33 video games and an abysmal 0.82 factors per 60 at even power. Calgary continues to hold round within the wild-card race; some respectable manufacturing from Sharangovich would go a great distance.
Dec. 20 rank: 28
Sean’s rating: 20
Dom’s rating: 21
The Canadiens have pressured their approach into the wild-card image regardless of getting practically nothing, when it comes to manufacturing, from Juraj Slafkovsky, who’s at present scoring at a nine-goal tempo. He’s producing possibilities at a greater price than that, although, and capturing simply 8.7 %, so extra might be on the way in which.
Dec. 20 rank: 20
Sean’s rating: 21
Dom’s rating: 22
At first blush, a couple of completely different Penguins might slot in right here — however actually, how far more can they anticipate from Tristan Jarry? Kris Letang, although, can actually be higher. Pittsburgh is getting outscored 35-23 with him on the ice at five-on-five, and that’s not solely attributable to goaltending; a 45-percent anticipated purpose share is ugly. The worst of Letang’s profession, in reality. He must discover a approach to dial his manufacturing again up — and that’s an enormous ask, given Pittsburgh’s terminal lack of ahead depth and the truth that he turns 38 in a couple of months.
Dec. 20 rank: 21
Sean’s rating: 24
Dom’s rating: 19
The Rangers earned a gutsy win in opposition to the Devils Thursday night time, one which has the potential to show the entire season round. Who must step as much as make that occur and get this crew again within the playoffs? Just about everybody not named Adam Fox.
In opposition to the Devils, a few of the non-Foxes delivered. Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck every had some extent, whereas K’Andre Miller had his greatest defensive recreation in ages. The Rangers seemed good and that each one begins on the prime. It may’t simply be Fox — the remainder of the core must be higher. Thursday was an excellent begin.
Dec. 20 rank: 23
Sean’s rating: 22
Dom’s rating: 23
You’d be forgiven for those who forgot Vladimir Tarasenko was a member of the Detroit Pink Wings — we actually did with how quiet he’s been this season. Was there proof he was most likely washed final season? Positively. And this 12 months simply looks like additional proof of that. Possibly Todd McLellan can get extra out of Tarasenko within the second half. However even when your expectations for him had been already low, it’s onerous to not be upset with simply 4 objectives and 14 factors in 39 video games.
Dec. 20 rank: 15
Sean’s rating:
Dom’s rating: 24
Elias Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic — choose any man on the crew who performs middle. None have been adequate, an issue Boston wasn’t speculated to have after signing Lindholm. He was speculated to be the top-line middle this crew was lacking whereas additionally pushing everybody all the way down to their applicable roles. Seems Lindholm isn’t that. So long as Boston’s middle depth is among the many league’s absolute worst, the playoffs are going to be a pipe dream. From prime to backside, the crew’s pivots should be higher.
Dec. 20 rank: 24
Sean’s rating: 26
Dom’s rating: 25
Exterior of Bo Horvat, it’s been a tough season for the Isles’ core items. Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and Noah Dobson all have underwhelmed to a point. We’re going with Ilya Sorokin right here, although, just because we all know simply how a lot of a distinction he could make. Thursday’s 30-save shutout in opposition to Vegas was an excellent reminder, however his general numbers (.901 save share, 2.45 objectives saved under anticipated) are nonetheless miles in need of his ceiling.
Dec. 20 rank: 19
Sean’s rating: 25
Dom’s rating: 27
Of the 58 goalies who’ve performed 10 or extra video games, the Flyers have three within the backside 10 with regards to GSAx per recreation. Samuel Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, Aleksei Kolosov — it doesn’t matter, they’ve all been dangerous. Somebody, anybody, must step up and take the reins right here because the Flyers have seemed formidable in any other case. It’s the goaltending that’s allow them to down night time in and night time out, all however crushing no matter playoff hopes the crew had this season.
Dec. 20 rank: 32
Sean’s rating: 27
Dom’s rating: 26
A lot as everybody likes Dylan Cozens, he’s on tempo for 41 factors. Final season, he had 47. Loads about Owen Power screams “top-pair defenseman” — however not his efficiency. He’s been, mainly, common. If the Sabres make it out of this mess, it’ll be as a result of one (or each) of these guys helps drag them.
Dec. 20 rank: 26
Sean’s rating: 28
Dom’s rating: 28
It’s necessary to notice that Leo Carlsson simply turned 20. That makes it approach, approach too early to make any grand proclamations about his future. Nonetheless, he’s been across-the-board worse in Yr 2, notably as a playmaker. He’s the centerpiece of Anaheim’s rebuild (for now) they usually want him to start out trying the half.
Dec. 20 rank: 25
Sean’s rating: 29
Dom’s rating: 29
Chandler Stephenson by some means has a 31 % xG price this season whereas scoring simply 1.33 points-per-60 at five-on-five. Many good people figured that contract could be onerous from the get-go, however even essentially the most pessimistic couldn’t have imagined it could be this dangerous, this rapidly. Stephenson is making $6.25 million this 12 months and for six years after, and he’s going to want a helluva second half to even be price half of that.
Dec. 20 rank: 31
Sean’s rating: 30
Dom’s rating: 30
Given how dangerous Nashville’s offense has been, the reply that matches greatest needs to be Andrew Brunette. With how sturdy Florida was offensively throughout his tenure and the way he coaxed final 12 months’s Predators to unbelievable offensive heights, it’s baffling that this 12 months’s group is the league’s absolute worst at scoring objectives at five-on-five. By so much. After including some big-time offensive weapons in the summertime, there’s no excuse for that. Brunette must squeeze extra out of this crew within the second half.
Dec. 20 rank: 30
Sean’s rating: 31
Dom’s rating: 31
We will transfer on from the “is one thing up with Connor Bedard” dialogue. He’s bought 11 factors in his final eight video games. All is nicely. Past that, although, who on this roster needs to be doing extra? Frank Nazar has performed a dozen video games. Tyler Bertuzzi is as much as 14 objectives. Everybody else is mainly residing as much as their expectations. That’s not a lot of a praise; it’s, nevertheless, the reality.
Dec. 20 rank: 29
Sean’s rating: 32
Dom’s rating: 32
San Jose has not less than one necessary field checked: Macklin Celebrini is nearly as good as they may’ve hoped — and the “Child Auston Matthews” act performs nicely on TV, too. The following step is getting extra from Will Smith, who has 14 factors in 35 video games and anticipated/precise purpose charges round 39 %. He’s additionally performed simply 43 minutes with Celebrini. Let’s get that mounted.
(High picture of Keegan Kolesar and Nicolas Roy: Ethan Miller / Getty Photographs)
