I'm going to rank guys based on their play relative to my own expectations.
Way above expectations: Demko, Hughes, Miller
All having far and away their best seasons of their careers.
Noticeably above expectations: Motte, Schenn
Schenn didn't look as good for TB, but he has looked like a really good bottom pair level guy here. Motte, obviously, best season of his career. Has really grown past the pure speed/forecheck guy he was before - actual player you can be ok with further up the lineup now.
Slightly above expectations: Myers, Lammikko, Highmore, Pearson, Burroughs
Some level of credit to Myers for holding his head above water at ES after being f***ing terrible there the previous two years. I thought he would be really bad with OEL - but it has done ok defensively. Still absolutely nothing offensively and is a problem contract.
Lammikko has been good recently. Maybe like 25% better than what I expected if he can finish the season in the low 20's pace over 82 games type mark. Highmore seems to be following that Motte path, although a few years behind and not a great PKer yet. Pearson looked like he was on a linear path downwards but has performed at the level of his contract and on pace for roughly 40 points. Was worried we were going to see him regress to like the 25 point mark this year. Burroughs, pretty fun guy to root for.
In line with rough expectations: OEL, Podkolzin, Horvat, Chiasson, Poolman, Garland
OEL - I thought he would be better defensively than he showed in AZ, and I knew for certain his offense was going to dry up as well but just not to this degree. Kind of expected an average middle pair defenseman level performance and that's what we've seen.
Podz - I usually expect nothing more than average 3rd line type production from fourth liners and that's what he's given us.
Horvat - Had ups and downs this season. People forget early in the year he was on the fringes of discussions with the olympic team. Bad as hell recently, but overall season has kind of gone the way you would reasonably expect - especially considering the miscast role he plays in.
Chiasson - just expected nothing, he has, in fact, given nothing.
Poolman - same as chiasson
Garland - has produced basically exactly what you'd expect given his inconsistent linemates and limited PP time.
Below expected: Hoglander, Hunt
Hoglander - fallen off under BB, but can't be too harsh on a guy going through a sophomore slump and getting a coaching change in the hardest season for a player
Hunt - couldn't remember shit about this player so just went off what Drance sold us on his podcasts and am disappointed because he's clearly ass
Far below expected: Pettersson, Dickinson
Pettersson - again, better recently. but the bar needs to be high. should be a guy with 20-30 more points than what he has. Only reason he's not in the next tier down is because I have some leeway for the first 15-20 games because he showed up late due to the contract situation.
Dickinson - I expected like some sort of average 3rd liner but this guy is ASS man HOLY
Brandon Prust tier: Halak, Boeser, Hamonic
Halak - Stop a beach ball
Boeser - Sloth, was good last year but literally awful this year
Hamonic - Was expecting an ok #5 D but we've gotten a dude who has spent half the season defending the vaccine rather than anything on the ice
