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NHL surprises, worst player, Stamkos guesses at 2015-16 midpoint

NHL surprises, worst player, Stamkos guesses at 2015-16 midpoint

Earlier, we brought you our NHL Awards projections at the midpoint of the 2015-16 season, in which Braden Holtby and Erik Karlsson got plenty of love and Western Conference fans accused us of not staying up late to watch their games despite two-fifths of our staff being located in California.

Here’s part two of awards at the halfway mark, in which we look at the biggest surprises, worst player and what might happen to Steven Stamkos.

Please join Greg Wyshynski, Sean Leahy, Jen Neale, Josh Cooper and Ryan Lambert for these midpoint picks.

Dallas Stars' Patrick Sharp (10) and Tyler Seguin (91) celebrate Seguin's goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Mike Stone)
Dallas Stars' Patrick Sharp (10) and Tyler Seguin (91) celebrate Seguin's goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Mike Stone)

Greg Wyshynski, Editor, Puck Daddy

Most Surprising Team (In A Good Way): Dallas Stars

I know this was supposed to be “the team we all knew would suck but doesn’t actually suck,” and myself and others had Dallas as a playoff team. But who among us thought they’d be this good? Who among us thought the Dallas Stars would be, hands down, the most must-see team in the League during the first half, thanks to exceptional offense and unexceptional goaltending?

Most Surprising Team (In A Bad Way): Columbus Blue Jackets

The Anaheim Ducks? Oh please child. The Jackets are in last place, traded their No. 1 center and were forced to dabble in the dark arts of John Tortorella to turn the franchise around. “And in their desperation, they turned to a man they didn't fully understand …”

Least Valuable Player: David Clarkson, Columbus Blue Jackets

For all the reasons listed here. Honestly, I thought Clarkson was being weighed down by the pressure of playing in Toronto. But maybe it’s been one injury too many. Or maybe he can only really play for Pete DeBoer.

Favorite First-Half Highlight

I think Alex Ovechkin will have more than a few mentions for this category, but John Moore is still rocking back and forth in the fetal position after this goal from October.

By The Trade Deadline, Steven Stamkos is…

“… entrenched in a playoff spot with the Lightning, without a contract.”

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers leaves the ice with an injury during the second period against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on January 11, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers leaves the ice with an injury during the second period against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on January 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Sean Leahy, Editor, Puck Daddy

Most Surprising Team (In A Good Way)

Florida Panthers. It’s nice to finally see some stability in the organization and success on the ice. Yeah, we know they’re defying the numbers, but that market has gone such a long time watching hockey that Panthers fans deserve some winning puck for a change. They’re a solid foundation of youth to build around, and as long as Jaromir Jagr and his groin stays in one piece, it’s going to be a fun second half in Sunrise.

Honorable mention: Carolina Hurricanes

Most Surprising Team (In A Bad Way): Anaheim Ducks

Is this a consensus pick? Many had Bruce Boudreau and his charges repping the West in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. It hasn’t been the best of starts, and certain offensive leaders on the team have yet to really get in gear, but Boudreau survived the early-season dumpster fire and now Anaheim is nearing the wild card spots. It’s only a matter of time before the ship is completely righted here.

(Honorable mention: Pittsburgh Penguins)

Least Valuable Player: Dan Girardi, New York Rangers

It’s been painful to watch Girardi at time this season. Just look at his assist on Alex Ovechkin’s goal Saturday.

Favorite First-Half Highlight

Evgeni Malkin picking Oscar Klefbom’s pocket, then spinning around Mark Fayne to go bar-down against the Oilers. What a play.

By The Trade Deadline, Steven Stamkos is…

“… still with the Tampa Bay Lightning and leading the Rocket Richard race.”

ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 13:  Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators skate to a loose puck during the first period of a game at Honda Center on January 13, 2016 in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 13: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators skate to a loose puck during the first period of a game at Honda Center on January 13, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Jen Neale, Editor, Puck Daddy

Most Surprising Team (In A Good Way): New Jersey Devils

They have a new coach, Cory Schneider and a bag of magic beans. If they were trying to tank to get Auston Matthews, they’re doing a really bad job at it.

Most Surprising Team (In A Bad Way): Anaheim Ducks

Unfortunately, Bruce Boudreau is going to take the hit at the end of the season when it’s Bob Murray’s moves that have failed the team. Chemistry developed over years isn’t something that can be easily replaced with other pieces. The losses of Matt Beleskey, Kyle Palmieri and Francois Beauchemin have not balanced in their replacements.

Least Valuable Player: Ryan Getzlaf

Where has the guy who was in the running, or at least in the discussion, for MVP over the last three seasons gone? The player on the ice right now is the Ryan Getzlaf from the 2011-12 season when he was trying to do too much and accomplishing nothing. Is it motivation? Is it something off the ice? No one really knows.

Favorite First-Half Highlight:

 

The New Jersey Devils dads celebrating.  Pure joy mixed with complete awkwardness.

By The Trade Deadline, Steven Stamkos is ...

“… in the KHL (because that would be hilarious).”

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 05:Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his first period goal with teammates against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on January 5, 2016 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 05:Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his first period goal with teammates against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on January 5, 2016 at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Josh Cooper, Editor, Puck Daddy

Most Surprising Team (In A Good Way): Florida Panthers

The Panthers are the most interesting team in the NHL. They have a fascinating blend youth with Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad and age with Jaromir Jagr, Roberto Luongo and Willie Mitchell. Watching them is an absolute treat and must-see viewing around the league. Imagine how they’ll look when Jagr’s mullet finally grows all the way in.  

Most Surprising Team (In A Bad Way): Anaheim Ducks

Before the season they were my Stanley Cup pick and all year they’ve hovered around .500 and out of the playoffs. A group this talented shouldn’t be this mediocre.

Least Valuable Player: Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning

Johnson has been a shell of his former self with 13 points in 30 games for the struggling Lightning.

Favorite First-Half Highlight

Alexander Ovechkin’s 499th NHL goal was a gorgeous blend of speed, strength and offensive skill.

By The Trade Deadline, Steven Stamkos is ...

"… a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and signed to a new contract."

The team and their star will work out their differences and hammer out a new deal.

FILE- In this Feb. 5, 2015, file photo, Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau, rear; Rickard Rakell (67), of Sweden; and Rene Bourque (14) yell for a penalty call in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators in Nashville, Tenn. When the Ducks clinched Boudreau's first trip to the Western Conference finals, the affable coach allowed himself "five minutes of joy" to celebrate the death of his old reputation. His spectacular regular-season success will no longer be overshadowed by his teams' Stanley Cup playoff failures (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Ryan Lambert, Columnist, Puck Daddy

Most Surprising Team (In A Good Way): Florida Panthers

I mean people seem to care about this team and think it's good (they shouldn't, but oh well). A 13-game point streak will do that. They're banking plenty of points off good luck and bad process, which you can't fault them for, but let's just say they're lucky this isn't a full-season award.

Most Surprising Team (In A Bad Way): Anaheim Ducks

Any time you're picked to be one of the best teams in the league, almost universally, and instead have one more point than Calgary at the halfway mark, that's bad.

Least Valuable Player: Dan Girardi

People think this guy is good. When he's on the ice, the Rangers' possession numbers drop 20 percent. He is, in fact, terrible.

Favorite First-Half Highlight

This might be recency bias talking, but Anthony Duclair Forsberg-ing someone in a game situation is out of control.

By The Trade Deadline, Steven Stamkos is  …

“… traded as a rental.”

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