Puck Prose
Fansided

NHL League Leaders: Post-Trade Deadline Predictions

By Ryan Ritchie

Mar 2, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) receives congratulations from right wing Patrick Kane (88) and center Jonathan Toews (19) after scoring in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) receives congratulations from right wing Patrick Kane (88) and center Jonathan Toews (19) after scoring in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

NHL League Leaders: Post-Trade Deadline Predictions

Most every team has between 17 to 20 games remaining on the 2015-16 schedule, and the NHL league leaders have a month and a half to make their final impressions.

More from Editorials

The four most consistent players throughout the year have been Braden Holtby, Patrick Kane, Jamie Benn and Erik Karlsson.  Others such as Alex Ovechkin, John Klingberg, Tyler Seguin, and Johnny Gaudreau own stretches worthy of league MVP (at the time).

The NHL prides itself over parity in its standings, but that pride can extend to individual NHL awards in 2015-16. Legitimate debate exists for numerous players with almost every award (Vezina, Hart, Calder, etc). Stay tuned for another edition of “NHL Awards Predictions” coming soon.

For today’s predictions, we’re exploring the NHL League Leaders in points (overall, defense, rookies) and goalie wins.

NHL League Leaders: Top Five Predictions

Legend: (rank). Name (Team) – Current Total > Prediction
*Current totals heading into Thursday night’s action

Goals:

Feb 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waves to fans after being named first star of the game against the Minnesota Wild at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waves to fans after being named first star of the game against the Minnesota Wild at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Alex Ovechkin (WSH) – 40 > 53
2. Patrick Kane (CHI) – 36 > 48
3. Tyler Seguin (DAL) – 32 > 44
4. Steven Stamkos (TB) – 28 > 42
5. Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) – 30 > 41

Assists:

1. Erik Karlsson (OTT) – 57 > 69
2. Patrick Kane (CHI) – 49 > 65
3. Joe Thornton (SJ) – 45 > 57
4. Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH) – 46 > 56
5. Nicklas Backstrom (WSH) – 43 > 56

Points:

Feb 25, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) skates against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Seguin scores a goal. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) skates against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Seguin scores a goal. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Patrick Kane (CHI) – 85 > 113
2. Tyler Seguin (DAL) – 68 > 92
3. Jamie Benn (DAL) – 71 > 90
4. Erik Karlsson (OTT) – 68 > 84
5. Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) – 63 > 81

Defense Points:

1. Erik Karlsson (OTT) – 68 > 84
2. John Klingberg (DAL) – 53 > 68
3. Brent Burns (SJ) – 54 > 64
4. Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARZ) 48 > 59
5. P.K. Subban (MTL) 47 > 57

Rookie Points:

1. Artemi Panarin (CHI) – 59 > 73
2. Jack Eichel (BUF) 41 > 51
3. Max Domi (ARZ) 42 > 50
4. Dylan Larkin (DET) 39 > 46
5. Connor McDavid (EDM) 31 > 44

Goalie Wins:

1. Braden Holtby (WSH) 40 > 51
2. Corey Crawford (CHI) 33 > 45
3. Jonathan Quick (LA) 31 > 41
4. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) 31 > 40
5. Roberto Luongo (FLA) 27 > 38

More puck prose: Top 100 Forwards Under 25 Years Old

The two most intriguing headlines going down the final stretch are Braden Holtby, and the rookie scoring race. 

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby has an opportunity to be the first netminder to capture 50 wins in a regular season.

At this time of year, teams tend to give their starters extra time off leading into the playoffs to prevent injury and keep them fresh.  Even with Philipp Grubauer in line for extra starts, there’s a large enough cushion for Holtby to not only match, but exceed 50 wins in 2015-16.

Next: World Cup of Hockey Roster Misses

Give Chicago Blackhawks F Artemi Panarin credit – the 24-year-old Russian is the only NHL rookie to maintain consistent point production throughout the season.  Even Connor McDavid took a few games at the beginning of the year to get adjusted (before going down with a long-term injury).  Jack Eichel was one of the slowest producers out of the gates (played well though).  Max Domi even challenged Panarin for much of 2015, before hitting a wall in the second half.

Home/Editorials