Studs and Duds of the 2016-2017 NHL Season
There were many exceptional and disappointing players this year. Here are the studs and duds of the season.
Connor Mcdavid: STUD
Connor Mcdavid had an insane year, scoring 30 goals and putting up 100 points to lead the league in only his second year in the NHL. The young captain helped his team clinch a playoff spot for the first time in 10 years. The all star has won the Art Ross trophy for the most points in the NHL and is the third youngest to do so in history. Connor Mcdavid has had the best season of his short career which is why he is most definitely a STUD!
Anze Kopitar: DUD
Anze Kopitar has had a really disappointing season. After coming off one of his best seasons of his career, the Slovenian did not even come close to what his team needed of him. This season he only had 12 goals and 52 points in 76 games with a +/- of -10. Speculation was that he was not ready for the responsibility of being the new captain of the Los Angeles Kings, and the huge drop from one season to another has all but confirmed it. In the 2015-2016 season he won the lady byng memorial trophy for having the most sportsmanship and he also won the Frank J selke Trophy, which is awarded to the forward who demonstrates the most defensive skill. He put up 74 points and had +/- of 34 in the 2015-2016 season, and has dropped 22 points and -24 in his +/-. For these reasons Anze Kopitar is a DUD.
Brad Marchand: STUD
With 39 goals and 85 points, it’s no wonder Brad Marchand is a stud. Marchand managed to be amongst the top 5 goal scorers for the season, tied at 39 with Vladimir Tarasenko. Marchand has helped the Bruins clinch a playoff spot against the Ottawa Senators and the Boston Bruins feel very confident that Brad Marchand will provide them with his playoff intensity and his offensive capabilities. Brad Marchand is without a doubt a STUD.
Shane Doan:DUD
After scoring 28 goals in the 2015-2016 season, the veteran has really dropped the ball with only 6 goals and 27 points in 74 games this season. The Arizona Coyotes finished 12th in the Western Conference and tied for 28th in the league with the New Jersey Devils. As the young players on the team look to their captain for leadership, he has clearly not provided the impact he was expected to, statistically or morally. For his lack of leadership Shane Doan is a DUD.
Dallas Goaltending: DUDS
Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen have had really frustrating seasons combining, for 246 goals against and were a big part in placing the Dallas stars 11th in the Western Conference. Antti Niemi has a G.A.A of 3.30 and a save percentage of .892% with a record of 12-12-4. Kari Lehtonen has a G.A.A of 2.85 and a save percentage of .902% with a record of 22-25-7. The Dallas Stars want Kari Lehtonen as their #1 but cannot find consistency in his game and Antti Niemi has much to prove if he wants that #1 spot next season. Since neither of these goalies can help their team win they are both DUDS.
Auston Matthews:STUD
In his rookie year, the 1st overall pick of the 2016 draft exceeded all expectations after scoring 40 goals and 69 points for the regular season. Auston Matthews is now the 6th teenage NHL rookie to record 40 goals in a season and this milestone should win him the Calder trophy, which is awarded to the best rookie of the season. Auston Matthews is one of the biggest reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs went from last place in the league in the 2015/2016 season to clinching a playoff spot in the 2016/2017 season. Auston Matthews’ amazing first year has earned him the right to be a STUD.
Loui Eriksson:DUD
In Loui Eriksson’s first season with the Vancouver Canucks he finished with an embarrassing 24 point season, with only 11 goals helping put the Canucks to the 2nd to last place team in the league. After scoring 30 goals with the Boston Bruins in the 2015/2016 regular season the Canucks expected a lot more offensively from Eriksson especially since they signed him for 6 years at 6 million USD a year. Loui Eriksson clearly did not do what his team needed him to do and what his fans were hoping he would accomplish, therefore he is a DUD.
Erik Karlsson:STUD
Erik Karlsson had one of his best seasons this year, finishing the regular season with 71 points in 77 games. Last season Karlsson had 82 points, but this year was better because his defensive play really improved and he became much more responsible as a player and as a leader. There has been much discussion whether or not Karlsson will win the Norris trophy, which if he does will be his 3rd Norris Trophy of his young career. The Ottawa Senators owe a lot of their success to him because he really helps the young defensemen feel comfortable and he averages 26.50 minutes a game. It is clear that Erik Karlsson is a STUD.
The Sedin Brothers:DUDS
Henrik and Daniel Sedin have both had very poor seasons, and as leaders of their team they really should be producing more offense and being more responsible defensively. They combined for 95 points and 30 goals, in the 2015/2016 season Daniel Sedin had 28 goals by himself. Not only have they been lacking offensively, but their defense is really poor. Combined, they have a +/- rating of -43. After seeing these numbers. it makes sense as to why the Canucks didn’t come close to making the playoffs. Since the brothers hurt their team more than they helped it, they are DUDS.
Brent Burns:STUD
Wow! What a season for Brent Burns. The offensive defensemen recorded 29 goals and 76 points in the regular season and is a huge part to why the Sharks are now in the playoffs. Brent Burns played tough, smart and passionate hockey for all 82 games and has really solidified himself as one of the top defensmen in the league. Like Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns has been talked about being a potential winner for the Norris trophy, and if he wins it it will be his first Norris trophy in his long 13 season career. As a leader, Brent Burns demonstrates heart and hard work pays off so that is why he is a STUD.
