I'll elaborate on my grades for a second. I can't find any reason to not give this entire team straight A's. We've dealt with as many or more man games lost to injury as just about any other squad in the NHL, including a stretch where we were missing our top 2 goaltenders and top 3 defensemen. Despite all of that, we 3rd in the NHL standings. This is not done without complete buy in from all of our players. They've answered the bell, and committed to playing a 200 foot game.
The same amount of praise needs to go to the coaching staff for keeping this group focused despite every reason to get off track, and to management for building the depth to sustain that wave of injuries.
As for my individual awards. Mitch has been the straw that stirs our drink every game. He is about as consistent of a player as there is in the NHL. IMO, he is a slam dunk for our best player. Willy deserves the runner up, as he's been outstanding. But unfortunately for him Mitch has just been other worldly.
Timmins has been a pleasant surprise. He always had the pedigree, but for him to go from AHL/NHL tweener in AZ to a guy we can really rely on is a touch shocking to say the least. In fact, he looks to be a big part of our future right side. Excellent trade thus far.
NAK to me was the easy decision for worst, and most disappointing. He was a guy who I was really hoping could energize our bottom 6, and he did the exact opposite. He was terrible most nights.
In terms of our biggest need, I really think we have a winning squad. I feel like we've had that for the last 2 seasons TBH. Our biggest need is to believe in ourselves, and block out the noise. We will have a nightmare road to the SCF being in a stacked east, but we have the squad to get it done. What we have yet to prove is do we have the swagger and confidence to get it done when it matters the most. That can only be answered in May/June. I am not sure 1 or multiple additions at the TDL can give us that much more swagger. But if we do make a splash, I'd like it to be for a guy who exudes that confidence, and someone who can handle the pressure. A Patty Kane, or even Jonathon Toews. A proven winner, and a voice in the room and on the bench when shit hits the fan.