In this edition of the hotstove, we share our picks for the most improved player in the NHL.
Todd Cordell
Blake Coleman of the New Jersey Devils.
Two years ago it would have been an overstatement to call him a fringe NHLer. He posted a woeful 43.77 Corsi For% while recording less than .50 points per 60 at 5v5. In other words, he was a possession anchor who produced almost nothing offensively.
Last season he took a big step forward averaging a respectable 1.35 points per 60 while posting positive underlying numbers relative to the team. He was a solid bottom-6er.
This year Coleman has played at a whole different level. He is driving play, putting up an impressive 1.95 points per 60, and he has scored more 5v5 goals than the likes of Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jack Eichel, and Evgeni Malkin, among many others. Coleman's 5v5 performance this season is solid for not just a depth player, but a top-6 guy.
He's not a sexy choice – like Thomas Chabot, for example – but he is a good one.
Peter Tessier When people think of improved player the look for ones having huge jumps in performance based on numbers and of course when the team is having success that helps too - and look at the Calgary Flames' David Rittich. He's been incredible but what about up the highway?
Well, that goalie is no longer in Edmonton and, like Devan Dubnyk, he's finding success elsewhere, this time in Winnipeg. Laurent Brossoit has played 12 games for the Jets behind Connor Hellebuyck and has been nothing but incredible with 11 wins and one loss. His 5v5 save % is the best in the league at .954 and his all situations number is .943.
His PK save percentage is right behind Dubnyk at .922 to .921 and his shot rates against are the 6th highest in the league!
This is your most improved player as he went from 14 starts in Edmonton last year with a .883 to this in 12 games after a summer training with Hellebuyck. It's almost comical when you realize what Edmonton just did with their current back-up turned starter.
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