PACIFIC DIVISION
Fsoamnsehtaimveeb. Teheen DfoernevcearstninagtivaebarnedakUonuitvferrosmityToRfODYenTvEeRrRaYlufmor wquaistejust getting his feet wet in his first three years in the NHL, topping out at seven goals and 20 points in 48 games last season. He wasn’t even drafted in most hockey pools, but the goals have come fast and furious this year. Terry scored 11 goals in his first 14 games and had 22 through 38. His 24.4 shooting percentage was third in the league among players with at least 25 games.
Things got so bad for MILAN LUCIC a couple years ago that he contemplated retirement despite a lucrative contract with several years remaining on it. At 31, the power forward was coming o a career-low six goals and 20 points in Edmonton, and it didn’t get much better in his first year in Calgary. But then Lucic started having fun again, became a fan favorite and embraced his grinding bottom-six role. And sure enough, the goals started coming, most of them connecting at his target of choice – the five-hole.
With his booming ‘Bouch Bomb’ shot and flair for oense, EVAN BOUCHARD was projected to be a leading producer from the blueline when he was drafted 10th overall by Edmonton in 2018. But he was slow to develop, needing another year of junior and most of two more in development leagues. Expectations were modest in his first full season with the Oilers, but the 22-year-old has been more productive than Tyson Barrie, Darnell Nurse and Duncan Keith, all while averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time.
Just when it looked like ADRIAN KEMPE settled into a zone of 15 or so goals and 30 to 40 points – his general range the past four years – he went and became a sharpshooter. After scoring one goal in nine October games to start the season, and with promising young Kings forwards popping their heads up all around him, Kempe went on a tear with 16 goals in 29 games, passing all of his teammates. He’s also on pace to top his career high in shots (148 in 2019-20) before finishing his 50th game this season.
The one thing the Sharks had plenty of going into the season was job openings at the forward position. With just a handful of regulars on the depth chart and Evander Kane suspended, 27-year-old Russian veteran ALEXANDER BARABANOV had a legitimate chance to make a good impression. His speed and assertive puck movement were just what the Sharks were looking for in middle-six wingers. He’s too old to get any Calder votes, but he’s winning over a lot of fans with his tireless work ethic and production.
At 25 and already on his fifth NHL team, JARED MCCANN is too young to embrace the label of “journeyman.” The 24th overall pick by Vancouver in 2014, McCann cut his teeth in Florida for a couple years before upping his game in Pittsburgh the past three seasons. He was acquired by Toronto last summer prior to the expansion draft, but never played for the Leafs. With the Kraken in Year 1, McCann scored in each of the team’s first two games and has led Seattle in goal-scoring most of the season.
It’s not completely accurate to call THATCHER DEMKO a surprise star because, let’s face it, the Canucks bid adieu to proven pros Jacob Markstrom and Braden Holtby the past two seasons to give more playing time to Demko. But during a season that went o the rails by December, Demko was the one true tower of power in the lineup every night. By mid-January, Demko was among league leaders in shots faced and games started. For that reason, he was the lone Canuck to make the NHL All-Star Game.
How about that unheralded center in Vegas who emerged from the Sdtaerpknheesnssoton?reOafllcyomuraskee. Baudtiwehraetnacebofourt tNhIeCGOoLlAdSenROKnYi,gthotos?? ACchqaunidreledr from Carolina in 2019 when Vegas had to o©oad salary – Erik Haula went to the Hurricanes – Roy has flourished in a third-line role for the Golden Knights and outproduced William Karlsson. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Roy plays a heavy game that Vegas will count on even when Jack Eichel gets in the lineup.