This article is part of our Neutral Zone Wrap series.
Neutral Zone Wrap
Evan Berofsky, RotoWire.com
As promised, the last two weeks of 2014 will look at some of the biggest fantasy surprises and letdowns, but there's a twist. While we covered similar material last month both here and here, this set will look at which overachievers can maintain their success and which duds have no hope of climbing out of their rut.
So let's start with the players who have fared considerably better than their projections and can at least be productive for the remainder of the season. Like previous lists, no stars will be discussed nor anyone whose excellent achievements are implicitly understood to continue. So it may be shocking to see Jakub Voracek or Vladimir Tarasenko among the NHL scoring leaders but you won't find either name here (or, eventually, on the Art Ross):
(Stats as of Monday December 22nd)
Frederik Andersen, G, Anaheim
Coming into 2014-15, it was believed the Ducks would implement a goalie rotation. But when John Gibson surrendered six goals Opening Night and subsequently fell really ill (also known as a groin injury), the competition suddenly lightened for Andersen. And now that the Dane has solidified his stronghold (to the tune of 18-5-4), it would take an unlikely series of events to knock him out. Gibson is healthy again and conditioning in the AHL, where he'll reportedly stay for the next few months to get as many starts as possible.
T.J. Brodie, D, Calgary
With blueline-mate Mark Giordano (32 points
Neutral Zone Wrap
Evan Berofsky, RotoWire.com
As promised, the last two weeks of 2014 will look at some of the biggest fantasy surprises and letdowns, but there's a twist. While we covered similar material last month both here and here, this set will look at which overachievers can maintain their success and which duds have no hope of climbing out of their rut.
So let's start with the players who have fared considerably better than their projections and can at least be productive for the remainder of the season. Like previous lists, no stars will be discussed nor anyone whose excellent achievements are implicitly understood to continue. So it may be shocking to see Jakub Voracek or Vladimir Tarasenko among the NHL scoring leaders but you won't find either name here (or, eventually, on the Art Ross):
(Stats as of Monday December 22nd)
Frederik Andersen, G, Anaheim
Coming into 2014-15, it was believed the Ducks would implement a goalie rotation. But when John Gibson surrendered six goals Opening Night and subsequently fell really ill (also known as a groin injury), the competition suddenly lightened for Andersen. And now that the Dane has solidified his stronghold (to the tune of 18-5-4), it would take an unlikely series of events to knock him out. Gibson is healthy again and conditioning in the AHL, where he'll reportedly stay for the next few months to get as many starts as possible.
T.J. Brodie, D, Calgary
With blueline-mate Mark Giordano (32 points in 35 games, plus-12) on his way to a Norris nomination, Brodie (23 in 35, plus-15) has served as the perfect accompaniment. In the past, he has been criticized for a defensive deficiency but that part of his game has vastly improved. For someone who fell to #114 in the 2008 Draft, it's heartening to see Brodie excel at the highest level. Even with Dennis Wideman (19) and Kris Russell (14) in the fold, the fourth-year Flame should be able to hold down a spot on the top pairing for the long haul.
Alex Galchenyuk, F, Montreal
The second selection from 2012 is centering the first line and making good on his enormous potential. Even though the American-born forward posted respectable numbers in his first two pro seasons (58 in 113 as a teenager), he wasn't seeing major minutes due to his youth and complacency in his own zone. But Galchenyuk (10 goals, 14 assists) is gradually maturing and can now be depended upon in most situations. This growth has allowed him to relax and use his natural skills as a weapon, most recently seen in a stunning hat-trick against Carolina (among the six in his last three).
Nikita Kucherov, F, Tampa Bay
With all the hype surrounding Jonathan Drouin heading in to training camp, it would have been easy to overlook the depth of Tampa's crop of young talent – especially up front. This group includes Kucherov, who has clearly outshone his fellow QMJHL alumnus. The knock on the former 17-year old CSKA Moscow debutant has been his slight build (5'11", 170) but one can overcome that with loads of offense (30 in 35). Just imagine how much better he'll be as a regular power-play contributor (five). Many teams must be kicking themselves for having passed on Kucherov in 2011 (eventually went 58th) because they feared the Russian would be unwilling to come to North America.
Tommy Wingels, F, San Jose
Last year's breakout Bay Area performer (38 in 77) has continued his upward progression. Wingels had always been known as a gritty player who wouldn't miss the opportunity to deliver a hit but he has complemented his portfolio with a solid offensive repertoire (23 in 34, including eight PPPs). And the stat line won't complain when your regular linemates just happen to be Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture. As long as Wingels remains among the top six (and we think that's a safe bet), there's no doubt the Chicago-area native will eclipse his career high in points.
(Honorable mention: Nick Bjugstad, F, Florida; Blake Comeau, F, Pittsburgh; Trevor Daley, D, Dallas; Brock Nelson, F, NY Islanders; Tomas Tatar, F, Detroit)
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Next week: The suckiest of the sucks who have ever sucked and will keep on sucking, 2014-15 midseason edition.
