Thanksgiving 2015: NHL's 30 things to be thankful for
(American) Thanksgiving in the NHL marks the quarter pole, a perfect time to step back and appreciate what has gone right for your team.
The USA TODAY Sports NHL staff has put together a list of what each team should be thankful for during the holiday — some obvious, others not so obvious. (Stats as of Nov. 24)
Anaheim Ducks: The “experts.” Perhaps the 8-10-4 Ducks are just that — mediocre. That many of the prognosticators picked them as Western Conference favorites has kept us all wondering "what could be" with such a talented group. (Jimmy Hascup)
Arizona Coyotes: Youth movement. For the first time in several years, there is hope in the desert. You can see the beginning of the ingredients for a sustainable winner. (JH)
Boston Bruins: David Krejci. Typically the No. 2 center to Patrice Bergeron, Krejci is having a career year, leading the team in points and ice time among forwards. Now if he can just stay healthy after combining to play 66 games the past two seasons. (Peter Barzilai)
Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel. He is not the league’s best rookie so far, but Eichel, 19, shown flashes of why he was taken No. 2 overall in June. And let’s face it, there hasn’t been much else to be thankful for yet. (PB)
Calgary Flames: 3-on-3 record. This would be an ugly season without earning five wins — the most in the league — in overtime. (JH)
Carolina Hurricanes: Noah Hanifin. Hanifin is the real deal, and the Hurricanes know it. The 18-year-old has already solidified his place on the club’s defense, logging around 17 minutes of ice time per game, and he’s only going to keep making the struggling ‘Canes better. (Kristen Shilton)
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Chicago Blackhawks: Owner Rocky Wirtz. Everyone rightfully talks about Chicago's first-rate management, coaching and players. But the Blackhawks' arrival as a model franchise started with Wirtz taking over ownership from his father. This team's positive energy began with his commitment to making the Blackhawks into champions. (Kevin Allen)
Colorado Avalanche: The outdoor game against the Red Wings. It doesn't appear that the Avalanche will compete for a playoff spot this season, but Colorado fans will have overflowing fun at the outdoor game Feb. 27, 2016, at Coors Field. It will have a festival-like atmosphere. (KA)
Columbus Blue Jackets: John Tortorella. Taking over a team that’s 0-7 and turning them into a respectable opponent instead of a free space on the NHL schedule? That’s what Tortorella does better than anyone, using his trademark ... spiritedness to get his players to buy into what he’s selling. (KS)
Dallas Stars: GM Jim Nill. Unquestionably, Nill has this Stars franchise heading in the right direction. He has this team in first place in the Western Conference because of his aggressiveness and shrewdness. Since his arrival, the Stars have added Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza, Patrick Sharp, Antti Niemi and Johnn Oduya, among others. (KA)
Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin. The 19-year-old has been a revelation, using his speed and shiftiness to help ignite the Red Wings’ offense. Petr Mrazek has been just as important, if not more, but less was expected of Larkin entering the season. (PB)
Edmonton Oilers: Todd McLellan. The high-upside core is maturing, but you can’t discount McLellan’s part in nurturing them and then making the pieces fit. Opponents can no longer count on the Oilers to pad their stats. (JH)
Florida Panthers: Aaron Ekblad. A few of the youngsters are emerging, but Ekblad, at 19 and in his second season, continues to show maturity beyond his age. He’s driving possession and playing big minutes, and might even make the Panthers into a playoff contender. (PB)
Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Toffoli. Notorious slow starters in recent seasons, the Kings got off to a strong start with help from Toffoli, who netted eight goals during a seven-game winning streak, including two game-winners. He's also lessened the blow of Gaborik's early-season scoring woes. (JH)
Minnesota Wild: Ryan Suter. He's among the NHL's best one-on-one defenders, and leads the NHL with an average of 27:39 minutes per game. He is contributing more offensively, owning 19 points in 19 games. He's having a Nicklas Lidstrom-style season. (KA)
Montreal Canadiens: Brendan Gallagher. He is evolving from a role player into an indispensable part of the offense. In fact, we’ll see how valuable Gallagher is to the Canadiens now that he is out up to six weeks after surgery to two broken fingers. (PB)
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Nashville Predators: For a chance to have it all. The Predators get to play in Music City, one of the NHL's most popular destinations. One of their best players, Mike Fisher, is married to Carrie Underwood. They might have the NHL's most skillful defense. They are hosting the All-Star game this season. They have a respected GM, a quality coach and a roster boasting talented enough to make a run at the team's first Stanley Cup. (KA)
New Jersey Devils: Power play. The Devils have benefited greatly from the play of netminder Cory Schneider, but their special teams are what have helped them exceed expectations early. New Jersey has a 22.5 power play percentage, good for third in the NHL. (KS)
New York Islanders: Vocal leadership: The Islanders have been average since moving to Brooklyn, but unlike seasons past, their leaders aren’t hanging back during times of struggle. Kyle Okposo especially has stood out, particularly since the Travis Hamonic trade news surfaced, in his commitment to helping keep the Isles’ eye on the prize and not on the distractions around them. (KS)
New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist. No goalie has played as well as Lundqvist (1.74 GAA, .946 SV%), even when the team in front of him appears disorganized in front of him. He covers all manner of sins, and is the main reason the Rangers are at the top of the NHL. (KS)
Ottawa Senators: Kyle Turris. This could be the breakout season for the 26-year-old, who leads the Senators in goals and is averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game. He’s also one of the Senators’ top possession players. (PB)
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Philadelphia Flyers: Michal Neuvirth. Finding a bright spot in the abysmal season Philadelphia is having isn’t hard, but it comes from their backup netminder who is 4-3-1 with a .939 SV%. Neuvirth has been a bright spot of this team and is pushing to become a bigger part of it. (KS)
Pittsburgh Penguins: Evgeni Malkin. He may not be the most loquacious of leaders, but Malkin is setting the right example for the inconsistent Penguins with his steady play. Four of Malkin’s seven goals this season have also been game-winners, which leads the NHL. (KS)
San Jose Sharks: GM Doug Wilson. His major offseason additions have already paid dividends. Goalie Martin Jones is 11-5-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .929 SV% and winger Joel Ward has eight goals and 17 points. Paul Martin has stabilized the defense. (JH)
St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko. There are nights when you can make a case that Tarasenko is the NHL's most dazzling player. He makes you go, 'Wow.' He netted 37 goals last season, and may boast 50 this season. (KA)
Tampa Bay Lightning: The calendar. The Lightning have been mostly mediocre to this point, but they still have three-quarters of the season to go and remain one of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference. Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn and Valtteri Filppula are among those who are off to slow starts and will be counted on going forward. (PB)
Toronto Maple Leafs: James Reimer. He started the season battling for ice time with Jonathan Bernier, and now he’s playing as well as any goalie not named Lundqvist. The Leafs aren’t very good, but without Reimer they would be downright terrible. (PB)
Vancouver Canucks: The Sedins. In a season many pegged as hopeless, the Sedins have kept the Canucks afloat and both remain must-see attractions. They have combined for 17 goals and 44 points. (JH)
Washington Capitals: Puck possession: Given the caliber of offensive players the Capitals have (see: Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kusnetsov), it’s not surprising Washington is a top-five team in Corsi rating (53.1%), per war-on-ice.com. The club’s offensive prowess has been its hallmark for years, and the Capitals look even more formidable in Barry Trotz's second season with the team. (KS)
Winnipeg Jets: Blake Wheeler. If you review his numbers. he's been one of the NHL's most consistent performers. He's essentially been a 60-point scorer for four seasons, although he had 41 points in 48 games during the last season lockout season. At 29, he's on a point-per-game pace this season. (KA)
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