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NHL Western Conference’s Top 5 Players So Far This Season

By Daniel Mcclue

Oct 26, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot (33) makes a save against warm-up against the Washington Capitals at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot (33) makes a save against warm-up against the Washington Capitals at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Western Conference: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) stops a shot on net by Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Edmonton Oilers won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Western Conference: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) stops a shot on net by Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Edmonton Oilers won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

After two weeks of the hockey season, the standings – and points tallies – are starting to take shape. While there have been some surprises it’s important not to overreact just eight games in. Of course, overreact is exactly what I’m going to do.

Starting with the NHL Western Conference, we will look at the top five players so far. The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks have been the main surprises at the top of the standings. At the bottom, potential conference winners Chicago and Nashville have been sluggish.

Unsurprisingly, Connor McDavid leads the scoring race, while Richard Panik has surprised most with six goals in seven games.

Injuries have already started to blight teams, and players (Anthony Duclair and Jonathan Toews spring to mind) will be looking to bounce back from slow starts.

So let’s look at those who have been lightning rods to start the season.

Oct 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) in action during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Ducks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) in action during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Ducks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks – 7 points in 9 games

The Anaheim Ducks were one of the more divisive teams to predict this season. They still have a number of star players. Albeit the star players on the forward lines are in the latter years of their prime. At head coach, it was unanimous that they had downgraded from Bruce Boudreau to Randy Carlyle.

Defensively they have a number of young stars, and with Hampus Lindholm missing the first games due to a contract dispute, Cam Fowler was the one to step up. His 7 points in 9 games puts Fowler joint third in points from defensemen.

He clearly feels he has something to prove, and perhaps realizes he is currently in the shop window. With Lindholm now signed up, the Ducks are over the salary cap. Before any deal was even in place many were touting Fowler as the player the Ducks would try to move.

With the way he is playing at the minute, Anaheim could receive a large package in return.

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