Welcome to the NHL Star Power Index: A weekly gauge of the gamers who’re controlling substantial buzz across the league. When a participant is included on this record it might not be a superb factor — it signifies that they’re capturing a considerable amount of the hockey world’s consideration.
These gamers are in no specific order in terms of the quantity of buzz that they are creating. We’ll revisit the Star Power Index each week all through the common season.
Jack Hughes is within the midst of a profession 12 months, however particularly has been enjoying a few of his finest hockey of the season currently.
Over his final three video games, the Devils star has scored 4 objectives and dished out an help. Prior to Tuesday’s recreation towards the Carolina Hurricanes, Hughes had recorded not less than one aim in 5 consecutive video games.
In addition, Hughes had registered two objectives in three of these 5 contests. One such recreation got here when Hughes registered two objectives and an help in a 4-3 time beyond regulation win over the New York Rangers on Sunday.
As spectacular as that aim was, Hughes, 21, wasn’t accomplished. Devils defenseman Ryan Graves uncorked a slap shot that deflected off of winger Dawson Mercer in entrance then Hughes occurred to be in the fitting place on the proper time. Hughes sniped a rebound shot right into a wide-open internet on a sequence wherein Shesterkin had no likelihood.
It marked Hughes’ nineteenth aim in his final 21 video games. Now Hughes is as much as 26 objectives in 41 video games all through the 2022-23 season, which is sweet for eighth within the NHL. His heroic efficiency comes simply days after studying that he’ll be headed to the NHL All-Star Game for the second consecutive season.
Hughes already has 49 factors (26 objectives & 23 assists) and that is simply eight factors from establishing a brand new career-high. He’s at present on tempo for 98 factors (52 objectives & 46 assists) this season. It’s been made clear that when he is wholesome, Hughes is among the most harmful gamers within the sport.
After some terrific seasons with the Minnesota Wild, star winger Kevin Fiala discovered himself on the transfer this previous offseason. Immediately after being traded to the Kings, Fiala signed a seven-year, $55.125 million contract extension.
It’s actually been a powerful partnership for either side up to now this season.
Fiala at present leads Los Angeles in factors (46) and assists (31) and has been arguably the workforce’s most dynamic participant. Over his previous 4 video games, Fiala has racked up an absurd 5 objectives and two assists, together with a hat trick efficiency in a 5-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
Fiala adopted up the hat trick with a four-point efficiency (two objectives & two assists) in a 6-3 win towards the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
Much like Hughes, this efficiency got here simply days after Fiala was chosen to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game because the Kings’ consultant. It marks the primary time in Fiala’s profession that he’ll be headed to the league’s All-Star Game when it descends upon Sunrise, Fla. subsequent month.
After some lackluster seasons to start his tenure with the San Jose Sharks, Erik Karlsson is lastly producing at an eye-popping price.
He has been a continuing supply of offensive manufacturing for a Sharks workforce that’s rebuilding. Entering Thursday, Karlsson leads all NHL defenseman in factors (56) and assists (43) whereas being tied for first in objectives (13) and tied for second in game-winning objectives (3).
The San Jose defenseman has tallied an help in 16 of his final 17 video games, together with 5 multi-assist efficiency throughout that stretch. Karlsson has additionally registered not less than one level in 31 of his 43 video games this season.
His elevated manufacturing could not have come at a greater time with NHL commerce deadline being lower than two months away. With that date creeping nearer, groups are starting to name the Sharks to see if they will purchase the veteran defenseman, based on TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
Karlsson does have a no-trade clause, so if he is content material in San Jose, he is not going wherever. Considering the season he is having, the Sharks will seemingly desire a hefty bundle in return for his providers.
After all, Karlsson ranks seventh in factors in the complete NHL and has been probably the most constant offensive-minded defensemen round. If he is prepared to waive his no-trade clause for the fitting state of affairs, Karlsson might be essentially the most sought-after commodity on the commerce deadline.
The Vezina Trophy race to crown the NHL’s prime goaltender is absolutely beginning to warmth up and Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger is within the working.
Oettinger at present ranks third in wins (19), third in goals-against-average (2.29) and fifth in save proportion (.923) throughout the NHL. In addition, the Stars netminder additionally has a pair of shutouts to his title.
The 24-year-old netminder is having fun with a particularly stellar stretch wherein he is allowed two or fewer objectives in six of his final seven begins. Oettinger has additionally yielded only one aim apiece in back-to-back victories towards the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders over the previous week.
In three begins this month, Oettinger owns a 1.64 goals-against-average and has allowed a grand complete of simply 5 objectives.
As the 2022-23 season progresses, Oettinger has established himself as one of many NHL’s prime goalies. In reality, he would’ve had a case to be the Stars’ 2023 All-Star Game consultant, however teammate Jason Robertson obtained the consideration because of his torrid scoring tempo.
Still, it is positively not going to be an enormous shock if Oettinger finally ends up being a finalist for the Vezina Trophy when the season is all stated and accomplished.
