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Archive for January, 2016|Monthly archive page

The 6 Biggest Surprises at Midseason

In Uncategorized on January 8, 2016 at 9:40 am

With 40 games in the books, here are the 6 stories of the season so far that really turned our heads.

6) Ryan Ellis (Boston Banshees)

While he plays in the shadow of Erik Karlsson, Ellis leads all blueliners with 15 goals.

5) Nick Foligno (Boston Banshees)

While we’re on the subject of the Banshees, Nick Foligno – a bottom-sixer for most of his Gump career – leads the league in points with 57.

4) Mark Stone (Vancouver Night Train) and Mike Hoffman (Winnipeg Falcons)

The two highest scoring rookies so far this season were both 4th round picks – Mark Stone at 61st overall in 2013 and Mike Hoffman at 62nd a year later.

3) Max Pacioretty (Boston Banshees)

Another Banshee? Boston leads the league in goals, so it’s no surprise they’re well-represented, but what’s amazing about Pacioretty is that all but two of his league-leading 31 goals have come at even strength.

2) Steve Mason (Winnipeg Falcons)

Alongside Vancouver’s Pekka Rinne, Steve Mason has some of the best stats among goalies so far this season. With a GAA of 1.99 and save percentage of .940, this 2012 free agent draftee has gone from the lost-and-found bin to starter status. Which leads us to…

1) The Winnipeg Falcon

Led by Mason, and Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn up front, the Falcons are currently second in the Plante Conference. After 10 straight seasons of failing to qualify for the playoffs, could this be their year?

Delta Ships Ladd to Division Rival

In DEL, NAS, Transactions on January 8, 2016 at 9:25 am

The Delta Sturgeon (18-18-4) may only be three points out of a playoff spot, but that didn’t stop them from shipping out one of its top wingers — to division rival Nashville, no less.

The white-hot Knights (30-4-6) add Ladd, who has 29 points in 40 games, to a forward corps that already boasts three of the season’s top scorers, including Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Daniel Sedin.

The trade was made during the first half of play but only finalized at the just-opened midseason trade window.