Welcome to another edition of the Hockeybuzz hotstove.
In this one we'll be looking at players who have surprised (in a good way) to this point in the season.
Todd Cordell: Nick Foligno
Nick Foligno has been a pleasant surprise this season and is one of the key reasons Columbus is even remotely close to a playoff spot with all the injuries they've faced.
Through 27 games he has 26 points (including 13 goals) and has been a very consistent contributor at both ends of the rink.
Foligno may not be a point per game player at year's end, but his career high in goals is 18 and he's never recorded more than 47 points; both totals he's on pace to shatter.
I've always liked his game, but I didn't see this coming. Guess that's what a contract year and playing with Ryan Johansen can do to you.
Michael Stuart: Filip Forsberg I think I’ve been most impressed and surprised by Nashville’s Filip Forsberg.
This is a guy who had one goal and six points in 18 career NHL games heading into this year. This is a guy who struggled to establish himself under Barry Trotz. With Peter Laviolette now steering the ship with the Predators, it’s been a different story. I don’t know whether it’s because of Laviolette’s coaching or because he’s simply another year older and more mature, but the fact is that Forsberg looks like a different player now than he did one year ago. He’s an offensive dynamo.
With 12 goals and 27 points through 27 games, Forsberg is putting up numbers at a stellar pace. On a Nashville team that has lacked offensive pop for… ever, his flare carries a little bit more excitement. What he’s doing now makes George McPhee, who traded Forsberg from Washington to Nashville for Martin Erat, look like a complete fool.
For context, just know that this is the guy I wanted the Lightning to take tenth overall in 2012; they passed, and the Capitals took him in the eleventh slot. I’m happy to see that he’s thriving in the National Hockey League. I just wish it was happening in a Tampa jersey!
Tim Chiasson: Marc-Andre Fleury Fleury takes more abuse than any other goalie in the league but he just keeps doing his job and doesn't complain, so it's a nice surprise to see him having far and away his best season in the NHL.
A .925 Sv% and 2.16 GAA are both career high's and his 5 shutouts ties his career best for a season. Could his 5v5 Sv% be higher? Sure it could, but it's currently higher than his career average for 5v5 Sv% so I'd consider that a win.
Prior to his new contract extension, Fleury's future as a Penguin was in doubt but he didn't let it bother his play and I respect that. I still think he would have been better off moving on, both for himself and Pittsburgh's salary cap, but no one can take away the nice season he's putting together despite everyone outside the organization rooting against him.
Adam French: Filip Forsberg I've tried to stay heavily involved in watching prospects and Forsberg has been a pretty large one. I've noticed he was a toolsy player, but always seemed to disappoint me with the hype vs reality of play. Especially in the Allsvenskan where he was drafted from. I never saw this kind of player in him and he's quite literally surprised the pants off me (ladies). If you would have asked me at the start of the year if I thought Forsberg would get 50 points all year, I would have said no, not likely at least. 28 games in, he has 29 points and leads the Preds and Rookies in scoring. I'm blown away, he's been excellent. Hell I'm blown away with the Preds, even when they get outplayed they have freaking Rinne back there. It's nuts. I don't know what kind of voodoo magic Peter Laviolette is blood sacrificing with out in Nashville, but the change is real. There are a few guys that have been pleasant surprises like Ribeiro, Enroth, Voracek, Tyler Johnson, Kucherov, Vatanen, Callahan and Nelson, but Forsberg takes the cake for me.
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