Most Pleasant surprises of the season by position

[KevinFinnerty]

This Gustaffson kid is a f***ing top 4 stud!! not only is he our best D on offense with Fox out, but he literally creates goals by himself sometimes with his IQ. his chemistry with his teammates is remarkable this early.

my 2 most pleasant surprises based on position:

F- Panarin- took it up a level to Hart Trophy type hockey.
D- Erik G by far impresses me every game.
G- Quick is not cooked yet!

HM- Trochek. I dogged him after the VAN game but he's playing very well now.

Click to read more...

 

[80s Kid]

Gotta give an HM to Laffy. It's still early but I think most of the fan base is happy with how he's playing this year.

Heck, Cuylle makes a compelling case since it's his first full season and all Kreider does is keep scoring goals (on pace for 58 if I'm not mistaken).

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Trochek has been a nice surprise. He was awful the last half of last season + the playoffs, but he’s been our best center this season and picking up the slack of Zib sucking and Chytil being hurt.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

I expected Wheeler to be the big value add - it ended up being Gus and Quicky. Very happy with that. I notice Gus literally every game. He's electric in the offensive zone.

Panarin is all world this year, shouldn't be a surprise, he is probably the best pure playmaker in the game. Lets see how this translates to the post season. His chemistry with Laffy however, is a very pleasant surprise.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Not sure how Laf isnt easily the answer. Most of this board was already calling him a bust/

 

[Row I Goon]

In no particular order

Trocheck
Quick
Gus
Laf
Bread

 

[Harbour Dog]

F - Panarin -> I expected more of the same from him this year, but the way he is playing now looks like it should translate nicely to the playoffs.

D - Gustafsson -> I assumed he was a bit underrated in general, but I was still not sure if he'd be a competent second pairing guy for us. Has been absolutely fantastic.

G - Quick -> Hated the signing and thought he was old and washed. Benny strikes again.

HMs - Lafreniere and Cuylle

 

[Megustaelhockey]

Laviof***inglette.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Laviof***inglette.

That's a good one!

I was pretty vocal about not giving a shit who the coach was, and putting the onus 100% on the players. But there's no doubt that he has had a pretty big impact on the team as a whole.

Even if Panarin still decided to up his game, even if Gustafsson was still a revelation, even if Quick still had a renaissance; there aren't many other coaches that would have gotten as much out of the team.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Not sure how Laf isnt easily the answer. Most of this board was already calling him a bust/

The vocal sections of the board that were doing that were completely out to lunch. He's been a nice surprise, but it shouldn't be shocking to anybody that an uber-talented kid produces when put in a position to produce.

Like, he's been better this year, but I don't think he's taken some giant development leap or anything. He's gotten more opportunities, the puck has been going in for him, and he's building some confidence. People's opinions are just generally formed by box scores.

 

[Stone97Ace]

That's a good one!

I was pretty vocal about not giving a shit who the coach was, and putting the onus 100% on the players. But there's no doubt that he has had a pretty big impact on the team as a whole.

Even if Panarin still decided to up his game, even if Gustafsson was still a revelation, even if Quick still had a renaissance; there aren't many other coaches that would have gotten as much out of the team.

Agreed. I think he's the perfect degree of "shit your pants" if you don't work hard and yet a mild blend of "it'll be it's ok kid." As I said in other threads, the non stop trolling of the kid by we, the fans, elevated his game.

 

[Larrybiv]

The 4 that have been mentioned are EXACTLY the 4 that came to mind instantaneously. we CANNOT all be wrong.
On the negative side.......KK meets that description, not sure what his problem is. Seems he has a brain, yet seems he has never learned that the ultimate goal is getting the puck in the net, come hell or high water. To a lesser extent k'Andre, we know there's more in there, uber talented to say the least.........just thought he would be looking to be more of a force offensively. If he can approach Gus territory and become a little more aggressive (decision making AND physically) then he would soon be approaching all-star status. They say 25/26 is when defenseman blossom into the player they will be, that said.....he has time but would like it to be THIS YEAR, and Gus being around...... could possibly rub off on him, let alone Foxy.

 

[CasusBelli]

Most Pleasant:
Gus
Laf
Quick

Least Pleasant:
Injuries
Mikka
Wheeler

 

[KevinFinnerty]

yeah I want more out of Miller and Mika too. they're not doing too good out there but I have faith they'll pick it up.

 

[Machinehead]

If you're surprised by Panarin being on the shortlist of best players in the world, then I'm surprised you're surprised.

 

[Harbour Dog]

If you're surprised by Panarin being on the shortlist of best players in the world, then I'm surprised you're surprised.

It isn't that he's playing so well, it's the style that he's playing. He's attacking defenders and going after loose pucks along the boards with a head of steam. He hasn't looked like this player since his first year here.

 

[duhmetreE]

For me it's not even close, Gus.

I expected him to help but he's playing like a top2-3 defender

Kakko on the down side of it. I thought things finally clicked for him. He's looked better as of late but he's looked weak and perimeter for the most part. Have no clue what's going on with him