This article is part of our NHL Barometer series.
This week's article includes a center rebounding in the Hub, a winger finding his way in Music City, a major loss in San Jose and the Bob struggling.
First Liners (Risers)
David Krejci, C, BOS - Krejci, who suffered through an injury-plagued and disappointing 2015-16 campaign, has started off this season like a man possessed. He scored his fourth goal of the season while dishing out two assists and firing six shots on goal in a win over Arizona on Saturday. That goal came on the man advantage, giving him two on the power play, which is already one more than he tallied in 47 games a year ago. Now healthy, Krejci should put up solid numbers as the Bruins #1 pivotman.
Tomas Plekanec, C, MON - Plekanec entered the season playing for a new contract. He earned his new two-year, $12 million deal with fine play to start the year. Plekanec notched his first assists of the season Tuesday but already has five goals on the young season. He is reaping the benefits of playing on the Habs' top line with Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher.
Mats Zuccarello, RW, NYR - Zuccarello saw his season end in ugly fashion last season, taking a slapshot off the helmet from Ryan McDonagh in the Rangers' playoff series win over the Penguins. That unfortunate injury capped a disappointing year for Zuccarello, in which he scored just 49 points after notching a career-high 59 the prior season. The injury, which was a brain contusion, temporarily rendered Zuccarello unable to speak. Fortunately, he has made a full recovery and gotten off to a strong start, with four goals in the first seven games while skating on a line with Rick Nash.
Mike Hoffman, LW, OTT - Hoffman received a 25-game stint in the NHL in 2013-14 but was looking like a career-AHLer. He got one more crack at the prize last season and excelled, tallying 27 goals and 21 assists. There were some questions entering this season if he was a fluke, but so far, so good. Hoffman has three goals and four assists in seven games, as he skates again on a line with Kyle Turris and Mark Stone.
James Neal, RW, NAS - Neal had a disappointing first year in Nashville scoring just 23 goals and 14 assists in 67 games after notching 27 and 34 in 59 his final year in Pittsburgh. He went scoreless his first three games this year, but has really made up for lost time. Neal had two goals and an assist Tuesday, giving him three straight multi-point efforts and five tallies in six games this year. He should have a rebound season while skating on a line with Filip Forsberg.
Anton Stralman, D, TB - For all the attention rightfully paid to Victor Hedman, there is another pretty good blueliner in Tampa. Stralman raised his profile in the Rangers run to the Cup Finals, parlaying his strong season and advanced metrics into what looks like a bargain signing of five-years, $22.5 million. Stralman had nine goals and 30 assists last season and has already notched five assists in seven games this year while seeing three minutes of power play time.
Torey Krug, D, BOS - I don't normally like highlighting two players from the same team, but Krug has been so good, I needed to make an exception. After bursting on the scene in the 2013 playoffs against the Rangers, Krug put up 40 points in 2013-14 and 39 points last season. Early on, it looks like he may blow away those numbers, as he has six assists in five games to start the season. The departure of Dougie Hamilton to Calgary has heaped more responsibility on the 24-year-old, and he has responded while averaging 23:08 of ice time, three-and-a-half minutes more per game than a year ago.
Reto Berra, G, COL - Short-term bump alert!!! Berra has stopped 78 of the 80 shots he's faced this season, including 73 of 75 while making back-to-back starts this past week. Semyon Varlamov is Colorado's starter, but Berra may have opened some eyes with his performance these last two outings. Varly is really struggling now, so coach Patrick Roy could let Berra run with the job for a little bit while the incumbent gets his game together.
Jaroslav Halak, G, NYI - Halak missed the first four games of the regular season but didn't miss a beat when he returned to action last Saturday, making 22 saves in a win over the Sharks. That was just the warm up, as Halak made 37 saves to notch his 37th career shutout in a 4-0 whitewash of a struggling Blue Jackets team. Starting a career-high 59 games, Halak went 38-17-4 with a 2.43 GAA and .914 SV% last season. The Islanders should be strong again, meaning that Halak could challenge that win number this year.
Others include Sean Monahan, Connor McDavid, Tyler Seguin, Derek Stepan, John Tavares, Mathieu Perreault, Kyle Turris, Adam Henrique, Eric Staal, Ryan Johansen, Aleksander Barkov, Max Domi, Bryan Little, Mika Zibanejad, Jamie Benn, Kyle Okposo, Vladimir Tarasenko, Dylan Larkin, Brendan Gallagher, Alexander Steen, T.J. Oshie, Alexander Steen, David Jones, Daniel Winnik, Ales Hemsky, Anthony Duclair, Johnny Gaudreau, Brandon Saad, Nikolaj Ehlers, Nail Yakupov, Tobias Rieder, Alexander Edler, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Roman Josi, Andrei Markov, John Carlson, Dion Phaneuf, Dennis Wideman, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Carey Price, Braden Holtby, Cory Schneider, Craig Anderson, Martin Jones and Brian Elliott.
Training Room (Injuries)
Nicklas Backstrom, C, WAS - Backstrom underwent arthroscopic hip surgery in May that kept him off the ice until early August. His recovery from the surgery cost him the first three games of the year, but he has quickly made up for lost time. Backstrom had a goal and two assists in his first game back Saturday against the Hurricanes. He added another two goals Tuesday and should average close to a point-per-game once again.
Logan Couture, C, SJ - Couture will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a fractured right fibula at the ankle that required surgery. The injury occurred in practice and will rob San Jose of one of their top offensive weapons. For now, Tomas Hertl will replace Couture on the second line, with Joel Ward and Patrick Marleau on the wings. But replacing Couture, who has notched at least 21 goals his past five seasons, will not be easy.
Duncan Keith, D, CHI - Keith will miss the next 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a right meniscus tear Tuesday. Chicago was rumored to be looking for defense prior to this news. Losing their top d-man could escalate that search. Keith had 61 points two years and 45 last year while also winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Blackhawks won the Cup. His importance to his team can be seen in our preseason outlook: "Keith is trusted with logging the heaviest minutes and against the most dangerous opponents. He controls possession, scores goals, fires brilliant outlet passes, and angles guys out of the play and off the puck."
Others include Johan Franzen (concussion, indefinite), Robby Fabbri (concussion, IR) Patrick Eaves (LBI, out several weeks), Clarke MacArthur (concussion, sidelined), Brett Connolly (broken finger, out six weeks), Lance Bouma (broken fibula, three months), Pascal Dupuis (LBI, DTD), Patrik Elias (knee, progressing), Kevin Shattenkirk (LBI, could play Saturday), Simon Despres (UBI, IR), Mark Giordano (biceps tear, out for year after tallying 48 points in 61 games), Erik Johnson (knee, skating), Kevin Shattenkirk (abdomen, skating), John Klingberg (LBI, DTD), Henrik Lundqvist (vascular, skating and taking low shots), Roberto Luongo (shoulder, DTD) and Robin Lehner (concusion, still sidelined).
Fourth Liners/Press Boxers (Fallers)
Ryan Strome, C, NYI - Strome isn't a faller now, but he could be one in the short-term. Newsday reported this week that unless Strome cleans up his own zone play and shows better puck judgment on the ice, he could be removed from his spot alongside John Tavares. If that happens, Strome's value will take a major hit. No move seems to be imminent but watch his play closely to see if a change could occur.
Radim Vrbata, RW, VAN - Vrbata's spot on this side of the ledger could change quickly. He was moved off the top line to start the season in order to try and balance out the Vancouver offense. That change didn't work, as Vrbata has no points and a minus-three rating in six games. Vrbata, who had 31 goals and 32 assists last season, will move back alongside the Sedin brothers on the Canucks' top line Thursday against the Capitals. If that doesn't get him going, nothing will.
Cam Fowler, D, ANA - Fowler had 40 points as a rookie and it looked like the world was his oyster. He took a step back in 2011-12 and then a major step back in 2012-13. Fowler rebounded with a solid campaign in 2013-14 and continued that fine play last year. He has gotten off to a slow start again this year and it's looking like that while he may be a solid d-man, his rookie season may well end up his career-high in points given the presence of Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm.
Sergei Bobrovsky, G, CMB - Bobrovsky allowed another five goals on 33 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Maple Leafs on Friday, upping his GAA to 5.07 on the year. In addition, he has a nightmarish .835 SV%, as the defense around him has also been missing in action. Columbus is in disarray and there are strong rumors that Todd Richards could shortly be replaced, possibly by John Tortorella. If that happens, look for the Blue Jackets to be much better on defense, which should help the Bob; though even if a change doesn't occur, he won't be this bad all year.
Others include Ryan Getzlaf, Jordan Staal, Derick Brassard, Chris Kunitz, Carl Hagelin, Rick Nash, Brett Connolly, Marian Gaborik, Cam Fowler, Griffin Reinhart, Dan Boyle, Justin Schultz, Semyon Varlamov, Cam Ward, Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller.
