USA TODAY International Edition
10 under-the-radar difference-makers
Goalies, defensemen, centers, winger, coach and owner could change fortunes of their teams
The NHL views itself as the ultimate team sport. But it’s possible for a single person to alter the course of any franchise. Here are 10 people you might not be thinking about who could have a significant impact on their team this season. Coyotes goalie Antti Raanta: The organization thinks it would have pushed for a playoff spot if Raanta had not been injured early last season. After Feb. 8, he was 14-3-1 and Arizona was among the league’s most consistent teams. He gave up two or fewer goals in each of his last nine starts. Golden Knights center Paul Stastny: General manager George McPhee’s acquisition of Stastny was among the shrewdest offseason moves. Stastny helps in a variety of ways as a No. 2 center. He’s a high-IQ player, proficient in the faceoff circle and effective as a defensive forward. His offensive gifts are underrated. He has the playmaking skill to help Vegas’ Max Pacioretty become a 30-goal scorer again. Senators owner Eugene Melnyk: With the Senators bottoming out, Melnyk owes it to fans to act aggressively to turn the franchise around. Ottawa traded away superstar Erik Karlsson this offseason, and it might lose Mark Stone and Matt Duchene to free agency next summer. Even another poor season won’t have the usual benefit because the Avalanche own Ottawa’s first-round draft pick. Melnyk said he does not want to sell the team. At the very least, he should hire a respected director of hockey operations and give that person carte blanche to rebuild and repair the team’s image. The Senators need a new face. Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford: Before convincing yourself that the Blackhawks are in a free fall, remember Crawford was limited to 28 games last season because of injury. His save percentage was .929. The combined save percentage of the other four Chicago goalies was .902. Stars coach Jim Montgomery: The Stars boast enough skill to be an elite team. Montgomery was hired to bring a fresh approach to a group that seemed stale last season when Dallas missed the playoffs by three points. He is a modern coach with an equal emphasis on puck possession and defensive play. He will let his top offensive players be creative but expects them to show the same passion for the defensive game. He wants his players to be relentless. He helped Denver win an NCAA title in 2017. Red Wings winger Filip Zadina: Thanks to a commitment to rebuilding, the Red Wings have a collection of exciting young players, led by Dylan Larkin. But the key might be Zadina because he is a flashy goal scorer. Detroit will give him every opportunity to make the team this season. He can re-energize the fan base. Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek: To avoid missing the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season, the Hurricanes need dependable goaltending. Scott Darling was a major disappointment last season. He’s still on the team, but Mrazek signed with Carolina because he believes he can be a No. 1 goalie. While Mrazek hasn’t developed the way scouts anticipated, he once was considered one of the league’s top young goalies. He’s only 26. Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson: Signing as a free agent with Pittsburgh comes with more pressure than signing with many other teams. The Penguins are a strong contender, and Johnson, 31, was added to fill a specific need. Can he be a strong, two-way defenseman? Johnson will have to prove that. Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner: While there’s excitement about the arrival of John Tavares, Toronto still needs to improve defensively to win a Stanley Cup. Gardiner is always a source of fan angst because of his defensive inconsistency. He had 52 points last season, but he makes his share of mistakes. With Gardiner’s unrestricted free agency looming next summer, there has never been a better time for him to take his performance level up a notch. Predators center Kyle Turris: General manager David Poile acquired Turris last year with the hope he would be the missing piece to a championship run. It didn’t happen. As Nashville’s No. 2 center, his production fell slightly, as he scored 13 goals in 65 games. He had three points in 13 playoff games. To win a Stanley Cup, the Predators need Turris to be a 25-goal, 50-point performer.