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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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Oct 12, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov (15) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov (15) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Artem Anisimov, Chicago Blackhawks – 10 points in 8 games

The Blackhawks haven’t got off to a good start – with a 3/3/1 record so far. Leading to lots of line juggling from head coach Joel Quenneville.  This hasn’t stopped Anisimov from posting an impressive 1.25 points per game.

Anisimov centered one of the best lines in hockey last season. Calder trophy winner Artemi Panarin and The Hart Memorial Trophy winner Patrick Kane were Anisimov’s wingers. While Kane has 9 points in 8 games, and Panarin has 7 in 8 – reasonable numbers – they have yet to spur the rest of the Blackhawks into consistent players. Jonathan Toews only has three points so far and Anisimov will be expected to continue carrying the offensive load until the captain finds his rhythm.

The Russian’s highest points tally in 82 games is 44 points – he will reach that in just 34 games if he keeps this rate of scoring up.

A big area of weakness for Anisimov is his faceoffs. So far this season he has just a 35% faceoff win record. While he has started this season on fire, Anisimov, at the very least, should be aiming for 50 points and get the faceoff win % nearer 50.

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