This article is part of our Left, Right & Center series.
It's a new year and you know what that means. Yup, it's time to queue up those resolutions. Get ready to make a billion promises and fall short on a billion-minus-one of them.
More importantly, the transition to 2017 is a time to be optimistic. Heck, be happy to your heart's content. Spread the good times. Make yourself feel good, but try to remember to involve others in the celebration.
Next week, we'll be looking at notable forwards from the first half of the season. Similar to the quarter review, but, you know, twice as long.
Until then, let's keep it going with a few progressive performers, lagging loafers, and inventive individuals:
Left Wing
Two Steps Forward: Tanner Pearson, Los Angeles
Now in his fourth season, Pearson has improved every step of the way (36 points in 79 games last year). For someone with a solid frame, he moves pretty darn well. An increased role on the power play (up almost 1:30 from 2015-16) has provided Pearson with the confidence to consistently contribute (seven points in his last 11 appearances). And when you hang around Jeff Carter long enough, the odds of success greatly improve.
Broken Wing: Daniel Sedin, Vancouver
To avoid separation anxiety, Daniel is being picked on in this segment as his brother had been in November. The Canucks may not be known for their offense (20 goals the last eight matches), but there's clearly something wrong with the winger portion of their
It's a new year and you know what that means. Yup, it's time to queue up those resolutions. Get ready to make a billion promises and fall short on a billion-minus-one of them.
More importantly, the transition to 2017 is a time to be optimistic. Heck, be happy to your heart's content. Spread the good times. Make yourself feel good, but try to remember to involve others in the celebration.
Next week, we'll be looking at notable forwards from the first half of the season. Similar to the quarter review, but, you know, twice as long.
Until then, let's keep it going with a few progressive performers, lagging loafers, and inventive individuals:
Left Wing
Two Steps Forward: Tanner Pearson, Los Angeles
Now in his fourth season, Pearson has improved every step of the way (36 points in 79 games last year). For someone with a solid frame, he moves pretty darn well. An increased role on the power play (up almost 1:30 from 2015-16) has provided Pearson with the confidence to consistently contribute (seven points in his last 11 appearances). And when you hang around Jeff Carter long enough, the odds of success greatly improve.
Broken Wing: Daniel Sedin, Vancouver
To avoid separation anxiety, Daniel is being picked on in this segment as his brother had been in November. The Canucks may not be known for their offense (20 goals the last eight matches), but there's clearly something wrong with the winger portion of their duo. Since Dec. 11, Sedin has regularly missed the scoresheet (four points in 11 outings). In the same time span, teammates Loui Eriksson (seven) and Sven Baertschi (11) – who both play the same position – have significantly outscored him.
Between the Lines: Marcus Johansson, Washington
Johansson came out flying to start the season (11 points the first month) but has fallen a step behind of late (three points in eight games). Despite this setback, he doesn't have to worry about anyone usurping him for the second spot on the left side. The Swede, at 26, has already been in Washington for seven seasons and has developed with other current Caps. He continues to receive ample power-play duty (just under three minutes worth) and is on pace to match recent special teams numbers (currently at seven PPPs, as compared to 14 and 15 the last two campaigns).
Right Wing
Two Steps Forward: Radim Vrbata, Arizona
When a knee injury cut short Vrbata's season with Vancouver last spring, many believed his career had reached its conclusion. After several teams passed on the 35-year old in the summer, he landed back in the desert on a low-risk, short-term deal (at one year and $1M). The Czech must really love Glendale, since his time there has been highlighted by his reliability. And while he can't do much about one specific category (minus-12), Vrbata has been able to boost his point totals (seven in his last 11 appearances, including three power-play assists).
Broken Wing: Brendan Gallagher, Montreal
Nobody has ever denied Gallagher's physical intensity or work ethic. For someone with decent skills and the ability to perform midair stick heroics, it's amazing how awful his recent returns have been (one goal in nine contests). There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with Gallagher, so his stats should return to form if he doesn't drop below the top six.
Between the Lines: Frank Vatrano, Boston
With David Backes out indefinitely, Vatrano has been recalled to fill in on the second line. Poolies should already be familiar with the USNTDP alum, considering his awesome AHL stats from last season (55 points in 36 contests, including a league-leading 36 goals). After missing nearly three months following foot surgery, Vatrano returned with a short stint in the minors (where he scored two goals in two games). And in the short time since the promotion, he has impressed (four points in six appearances, averaging 2:39 of power-play duty). He's a hard sell in some leagues, but is definitely worthy of being added in large-roster and dynasty formats.
Center
Two Steps Forward: Mikko Koivu, Minnesota
Since every other overachieving Minnesota center has featured in this column, we might as well add Koivu to the mix. The Wild can't stop scoring (50 goals in 14 December contests) and it's been the veteran Finn who has served a significant role in helping the club reach the top of the Central Division. In the last month, Koivu has set off fantasy alarms with a stellar body of work (five goals, eight assists, and a whopping plus-15). Between him and Eric Staal, there's enough experience down the middle to ensure Minny stays on the right path.
Broken Wing: Tommy Wingels, San Jose
With so much promise entering 2015-16 going unrealized (he fell from 36 to 18 points), it's fair to say the expectations for Wingels weren't as high going into this season. Even so, the 177th selection of the 2008 Draft should be doing more to avoid earning meager minutes (only 14 of 29 games over 10 and none over 15) and an extended run in the doghouse (scratched the last four contests). Wingels possesses the heart and determination to play on a regular basis, but it's up to the coaching staff as to how much he plays.
Between the Lines: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton
When someone is drafted first overall, the assumption is that this person will develop into a top contributor. Even though the first three full seasons hinted at potential greatness (all exceeding 50 points), it's generally considered that Nugent-Hopkins will be hard-pressed to reach this level again. Barring an injury, RNH will never sit first on the Oilers' depth chart, but at least the skills (three points, 23 shots over the last seven appearances) and ice time (averaging 18:34, including 2:14 on the power play in his previous 12) are present. Just keep him away from the rough stuff and the kid will be fine.
