NHL Mid-Season Grades: Central Division Breakdown
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Mid-Season Grades, Surprises, Letdowns, Future Outlook: Complete Central Division Breakdown by Team and Position, Including Predictions for the Remainder of 2016-17
Even though numerous clubs have passed the 41-game mark, we wanted to give all 30 teams a chance to hit the halfway mark before releasing our NHL mid-season grades. To help break things down, we’ve split this into a divisional series covering 7-8 teams at a time.
We’ll grade each team by position, talk about the biggest surprise/and letdown so far, provide a future outlook moving forward, and include our own personal predictions for how the remainder of 2017 plays out.
Today, I’ll be looking at the Central Division. As of Tuesday, January 17th, the Minnesota Wild sit atop the standing with 61 points in 42 games. They’ve got four games in hand to 2nd placed Chicago who sits with 59 points through 46 games. St. Louis occupies the third and final playoff spot with 51 points in 44 contests. Fighting for a Wild-Card spot is 4th placed Nashville with 20 wins (47 points) in 43 games. Behind them, Dallas and Winnipeg sit tied at 44 points, although the Stars have a pair two contests in hand. At the bottom, the lonely Colorado Avalanche sit 17 points behind the Jets/Stars with 27 points in 41 games.
NHL Mid-Season Grades: Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks
Current Record: 27-14-5 (59 points)
Forwards: B+
If you had asked for a grade on this group roughly a month ago, it might be a whole lot worse. The Blackhawks are starting to come to life, though, and in turn, Chicago’s stud forwards are starting to pick things up. Patrick Kane is up to 47 points and is out to prove that 2015-16 was no fluke. Even Artemi Panarin has stepped up since signing a lucrative extension. Last year’s Calder Trophy winner has 43 points already, and looks motivated to top that 77 point total from a season ago.
Give a lot of credit to the secondary group in Chicago. The Blackhawks continually cycle players through the lineup as they face cap issues and always seem to have someone ready to step up and produce. In 2016-17, names such as Ryan Hartman, Richard Panik, Tyler Motte, and Nick Schmaltz are among the headliners.
Defense: B
, these Hawks defenders can be counted on consistently. I’m sure they’d love to sacrifice that extra bit of offense they’re getting from Keith (31 points) for a little stronger defensive play from Brent Seabrook (-2 on the season, -4 over his last 10), but tough to complain.
Chicago has their sights set on another Stanley Cup this spring, but following the playoffs, they’ll be faced with a dilemma they’ve managed to avoid up until now. In order to fit Panarin’s contract in, the Hawks will likely need to move one of their core defenders. The question is, who? Seabrook makes the most sense, but I’m not sure other teams are willing to pay up following a bit of a down year. In all honesty, it might be in Chicago’s best interest to field offers on the defensively stout Niklas Hjalmarsson. A team like Edmonton might pay a pretty penny for a guy like that.
Goalies: A-
Despite his worst statistical season since the 2011-12 campaign, Corey Crawford is still putting up solid numbers. A year ago, he posted seven shutouts with a 2.37GAA and .924 save percentage. In 2016-17, the shutouts have been limited to just two at the midway point, but a 2.49GAA and .921 save percentage isn’t too bad for a guy who was battling injuries.
Chicago receives the A grade in goal largely due to backup Scott Darling. He filled in admirably while Crawford was sidelined and already has a record of 11-4-2 with a 2.34GAA and .924 save percentage.
Biggest surprise: F Ryan Hartman
Biggest letdown: Special Teams (PP: 15th/PK: 28th)
Outlook:
I have a feeling that Chicago could pull a Pittsburgh in 2017, meaning I wouldn’t be surprised if they find their stride around the All-Star break. In recent years, the team rolling hottest into the postseason tends to make a lot of noise. Add the possibility of acquiring another impact winger to play alongside Jonathan Toews in a rental role, Chicago could be poised for yet another deep Stanley Cup run.
Prediction for Remainder of Season:
Despite the fact that Minnesota has a two-point lead with four games in hand, I wouldn’t be shocked if the two clubs flip-flop in the standings by the time April rolls around. Instead of drawing another tough 1st round match-up (likely against St. Louis), the Hawks might draw a team like Nashville, Calgary, Edmonton, or LA.