Who has been your team's pleasant surprise thus far in season?

[Ghetty Green]

Andreas Englund

 

[Three On Zero]

Hoglander looks like he is starting to put things together

 

[Whaddagoal]

I echo the Mike McLeod one for NJ.

It probably starts from the solid playoff performance last year, but he has turned quite a few pages in his career development since the beginning of last season. Most noticeably kn this season. Filled in for Nico while he was out with the concussion.

This season he looks like he could be a steady middle 6 player if roster depth obliges (it doesn't but...)

Perhaps the other oddity on NJ is Brendan Smith at forward. He actually plays a really good 4th line wing game.

 

[Super Duper]

I'd have to add Pettersson to this list.

Absolutely correct, he's been incredibly consistent this year this far

 

[PlushMinus]

Most Caps fans would say McMichael, Protas or Charlie Lindgren.

Some Caps fans will say (over and over again) it's Matthew Phillips - aka the hockey jockey

 

[Rorschach]

Andreas Englund.

He and Jordan Spence might be the best 3rd pairing in the league. His composure and ability to thrive within his limitations has been the most pleasant surprise for the Kings.

The forwards and Talbot don't look this good if all three D pairings aren't playing good 200ft games.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

Might say Foegele for Oilers. Has been the most consistent forward from the start of the year and on pace for a career season. Has looked good on lines 2-4 wherever slotted.

 

[StrictlyCommercial]

Brock Boeser is the epitome of this so far this year. Huge bounceback year after a few tough seasons.

 

[Miro4Norris]

Crosby's 5v5 dominance, Jarry and Ned have not been horrible. That's all

 

[koteka]

He is a bad mofo and he has 12 points in 22 games on a team that is crapping the bed … Dmitri Voronkov.

 

[Daz28]

For returning players, probably Henri Jokiharju. He had a rough year with injury last season, even went so far as needing a tinted visor to deal with the lights as part of a return from a puck to the face. Many figured the acquisition of a couple of RHD in free agency might be the end of him but he's been surprisingly steady and improved.

From new players, the obvious answer would be Zach Benson. The kid just gets it and is working all over the ice.

You forgot JJP, but someone said it a couple posts later. If the thread title was guys we're probably going to have to pay up for, and hope it continues, then the answer is definitely JJP. I'm glad Joki has turned it around, but I don't think he makes bank next year.

 

[Chainshot]

You forgot JJP, but someone said it a couple posts later. If the thread title was guys we're probably going to have to pay up for, and hope it continues, then the answer is definitely JJP. I'm glad Joki has turned it around, but I don't think he makes bank next year.

I don't find what Peterka is doing to be a surprise.

 

[Daz28]

I don't find what Peterka is doing to be a surprise.

Ok, but most people probably are. I know I wasn't thinking 30/30, with 50 coming 5-on-5, on 16:00 ice time. World Cup gave me hope, but not this much. For me Joki is doing what we always hoped he would do, but I get how that expectation had dropped.

 

[Chainshot]

Ok, but most people probably are. I know I wasn't thinking 30/30, with 50 coming 5-on-5, on 16:00 ice time. World Cup gave me hope, but not this much. For me Joki is doing what we always hoped he would do, but I get how that expectation had dropped.

Might have been watching his body of work in the AHL and seeing the progress. I just don't find what he's doing to be out of line with what I was expecting.

Jokiharju had taken steps back the last two years and right now might be their most consistent defenseman. Nothing was indicating he'd bounce back like this to me.

 

[Esq]

As mentioned in OP, Vlasic has been fantastic.

 

[TheNumber4]

Foegele has been good for Oilers all year.

Mcleod I think is poised to break out.

Nurse has been a beast on the back end and contributing with clutch production.

 

[Nicko999]

Montembeault for Montreal is really the only choice. I didn't expect him to follow up last year with another strong season.

 

[Siludin]

Sam Lafferty and Casey Desmith have been good

 

[BonMorrison]

ROR and Nyquist have looked completely rejuvenated this year.

 

[Czechboy]

I'm going to toss Pavel Zacha into the conversation.. offseason was littered with 'good luck with Zacha as your 1C' comments. Bruins seem to be doing just fine with Zacha playing heavy minutes as a 1C.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

Gustafsson has been the best bang for the buck for the Rangers since Mats Zuccarello.

 

[Terrier]

Danton Heinen, who was on a PTO for two months, signed a one-year, $775,000 deal and has proved to be valuable and versatile.

Danton Heinen is looking like a bargain-bin steal for Bruins

Signed to a one-year, $775,000 contract in late October, Danton Heinen is looking like a great value add for the Bruins.

www.boston.com

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/analysis/how-danton-heinen-is-making-case-for-bruins-best-signing

 

[Bruinaura]

I'd go with Matt Poitras for the Bruins. I don't know of anyone who thought he'd make the team, but here he is, and doing a fantastic job at 19 years old.

Carlo has also upped his game this season.

 

[Bruinaura]

I will go off the map and say Curtis Lazar. Career journeyman, floated around the league a lot. I had very low expectations. But he gives 110% every shift, is a warrior on the PK, and has a decent amount of offense for a 4th liner. He has basically stolen Nate Bastian's spot.

He wasn't a Bruin for long, but I appreciated his game. You're right about 110% every shift.

 

[Devilsfan2326]

I'm going to toss Pavel Zacha into the conversation.. offseason was littered with 'good luck with Zacha as your 1C' comments. Bruins seem to be doing just fine with Zacha playing heavy minutes as a 1C.

This deserves more recognition.