Ondrej Palat and it's not even close. He carries every line he plays on because of his iron will and tenacity. Kid goes straight the corners every single shift until he wins the puck. Sometimes he comes right up with it, sometimes it takes him the whole shift. But he pitbulls the opposition until we have possession. He is creative offensively, has a decent shot and backchecks like someone has a gun to his head. He can play with anyone and make them better because he is the best player on the ice at all times. Yes that includes Stamkos. Stammer doesn't dump the puck in from the blue line, chase after it and come up with it with 2 guys hanging on his back on a regular basis. And if Ondrej doesn't have the puck he separates from the opposition making himself open for a pass that can bail out a teammate about to lose the puck. Or if given the opportunity, he doesn't pass up the chance to shoot like Teddy Purcell used to. And lastly he's always backing up the play. Either's either joined in the heart of the offensive rush or he's the guy rushing back that neutralizes the odd man rush or simply is the one who breaks it up. To his credit, Kucherov does that a lot too.
It's that willingness to get your hands dirty that has enabled his linemates Kucherov and Johnson to be the beneficiaries the best +/- ratios in the league. The TKO line is never in their defensive zone because Ondrej makes sure of it and meanwhile Johnny and Kuch usually do the scoring. Occasionally a very intelligent secondary assist from Palat gets the play started.
There is absolutely no wasted motion from Palat. He is easily the most well rounded player on our team and the kid is gonna win a Selke one day if he keeps this up. If he's not nominated this year I'd be surprised.
