NHL Prospects & Role Players Stepping up Down the Stretch
NHL Prospects & Role Players Stepping up Down the Stretch
Around this time of year, NHL prospects on basement dwelling teams tend to receive a good look in preparation for next season. Teams with playoff aspirations tend to turn to bottom six role players and prospects as injuries continue to mount towards the final stretch.
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Whether you’re a fan eager to get a sneak peek at the depth of the prospect pool, or a fan of an injury riddled team looking for secondary scoring, the last 10 plus games carry heavy significance for various reasons.
Below is a list of those NHL prospects or role players who have already stepped up, or have the potential to be factors down the stretch. These players are unsung hero types who are quietly performing in the shadows of other elite players.
NHL Prospects & Role Players Stepping up Down the Stretch
David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
Earning extra ice-time alongside David Krejci and Loui Eriksson, Pastrnak continues his strong play that carried over from the World Juniors. He’s got six goals in his last 10 games, plus-four (+4), and 26 shots (2.6 sog/gp). Pastrnak can be an x-factor for the Bruins leading up to, and throughout the playoffs.
Marcus Foligno, Buffalo Sabres
More of a bottom-six role player known more for his physicality, Foligno stepped up in a big way in the absence of Ryan O’Reilly. With average ice-time of 12:49 in 2015-16, Marcus is seeing over 15 minutes of ice-time/game in seven of his last 10. He has two goals, two assists (1g 2a vs. Calgary on March 3rd), and a plus-five (+5) over that span.
Marcus Foligno is proving himself to be a Patrick Maroon type, who has the ability to play up-and-down the entire lineup.
Phil Di Giuseppe, Carolina Hurricanes
Averaging under 14 minutes of ice-time/game prior to the trade deadline, Giuseppe had four goals, seven assists in 31 games on February 29th. He is since averaging more than 17 minutes/game, and has two goals, three assists in his last five games. Consistency was always his biggest criticism – apparently he’s found some of late.
Stephen Johns, Dallas Stars
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Johns was called-up following the Jason Demers injury. He only has two games under his belt in 2015-16, including an ugly minus-three (-3) performance in 18:41 of ice-time versus St.Louis on Saturday. Stephen came over in the offseason from Chicago in the Patrick Sharp deal.
He is a reliable two-way defender that moves the puck extremely well. It might take a few games to get his feet wet, but Johns can be a mainstay on the Stars blueline down the stretch and through the playoffs.
Viktor Arvidsson, Nashville Predators
The 22-year-old Swede is finding his scoring touch of late. He has two goals, seven assists over his last 10 games, including a plus-six (+6), and 34 shots (3.4 sog/gp). Arvidsson has seen an increase in ice-time over his last five, seeing a minute or two above his season average of 12:15.
He’s a small winger learning to play a bigger, stronger game.
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Ryan Pulock, New York Islanders
Thought to be a candidate for a full-time roster spot heading into 2015-16, Pulock spent much of the season with AHL Bridgeport. Six games into NHL career, Pulock is seeing limited ice-time and is yet to reach the scoresheet. An abundance of injuries made his call-up necessary. Ryan Pulock is one of the game’s top defensive prospects for a reason.
He’s an offensive juggernaut capable of being an elite powerplay quarterback. It’s unclear how much time he will see with the big club, but he has the potential to be an unlikely x-factor for the Isles down the stretch, and into the postseason.
Nick Paul, Ottawa Senators
Overall, Nick has been pretty quiet in his NHL debut this season with three points in 12 games. Paul is a gritty winger who isn’t afraid to get into the dirty areas, battle down low, or drive to the net with force. He is giving Sens fans a small preview of is capabilities in 2015-16.
Paul can reach that high offensive ceiling once he assumes a larger role with top six minutes.
Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins
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Eyes On Isles
Heading into 2015-16, the biggest knock on Bryan Rust was his consistency from game-to-game, shift-to-shift. He has played 32 games this season with varying ice-time. Rust has a goal and four assists in last 10 games. He’s cooled off over his last few games on the scoresheet, but his overall play continues to impress.
Once he figures out how to harness that great speed, and use it effectively, Rust has the potential to be a productive secondary scorer for the Penguins. He may be depended upon to help fill the void left by Evgeni Malkin.
Colin Greening, Toronto Maple Leafs
Here is a guy that Ottawa was virtually trying to give away. A cap hit that exceeds his value, Greening is finding new life in Toronto. He has a goal and three assists in last 10, and six points in 16 games so far. Nothing more than a bottom six role player that can add offense, the Toronto Maple Leafs may find a way to transform him into a tradeable asset.
The excitement in Leafs nation surrounds the likes of Nikita Soshnikov, William Nylander, and Zach Hyman – but players such as Colin Greening and Connor Carrick are bright spots hidden behind the kids.
Linden Vey, Vancouver Canucks
Vey was a surprise late-cut in training camp after producing 24 points in 75 games for Vancouver in 2014-15. It took longer than expected for him to make his 2015-16 debut, but he has been impressive over his 31-game stint. He has four goals, 10 assists on the season, including two goals, three assists over his last eight games.
The extra time in the minors seemed to be helpful in addressing the smaller details in his game, making him a more responsible forward.
Marko Daňo, Winnipeg Jets
His short stint in Chicago didn’t work out, but the change of scenery is exactly what this top-notch prospect needed. Coming off 21 points in 35 games to close out 2014-15 with Columbus, Dano has the offensive talent to be a productive top-six forward.
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He only has eight games under his belt with Winnipeg, but is looking particularly sharp of late with two points in his last three games, including being entrusted with more ice-time from coach Paul Maurice in the last two contests. Look for him to be a major piece in Winnipeg’s offense in 2016-17.