NHL Central Division: Team Offense Comparison For 2016-17
Nov 28, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn (14) (front) and defenseman John Klingberg (3) (center) congratulate forward Tyler Seguin (91) on his game winning goal against the Minnesota Wild during overtime at Xcel Energy Center. The Starts win 4-3 over the Wild in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve done the defense, and now we take a look at the offense of each team in the NHL’s Central Division
There are some really impressive scoring players in the NHL’s Central Division. Last season, four of the top 10 point producers in the league came from the Central — the Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane was first, Dallas’ Jamie Benn second, Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler sixth and the Blackhawks’ Artemi Panarin ninth.
But what about the total team efforts on offense in the Central Division? Some of the division’s teams put up impressive goal totals last season, while others struggled to consistently produce.
So today — after we’ve already compared team defenses in the Central — we’re going to rank the team offenses in the Blackhawks’ division. For this, we’re going to be looking at the players currently on each team’s roster, and this won’t be based entirely on how many goals each team scored last season.
Mar 31, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) celebrates his goal in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
No. 7: Minnesota Wild
In pretty much all of my posts about the Central Division, I describe the Wild as boring, one-note and unexciting. That certainly applies to the offense, which is fine, but nothing to write home about.
It could be better, I suppose. Zach Parise is probably past his prime but is still a solid contributor on offense, notching 53 points last season. Jason Pominville can produce when not underperforming, which seems to be a consistent problem. Ryan Suter has a heck of a shot from the blue line.
But there’s just so many guys who feel like fringe second-liners but who are asked to provide much more. Nino Niederreiter, Mikko Koivu, Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker fall into that mold. What Eric Staal can still consistently offer is also up for debate.
The blue line beyond Suter also doesn’t offer much offensively. And so, you end up with a group that’s just fine, but nothing more. The Wild finishing with 216 goals — tied for second-worst in the Central Division — reflects that.
Mar 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) is congratulated for his goal by defenseman Tyson Barrie (4) in the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
No. 6: Colorado Avalanche
There are certainly some really exciting pieces in the mountains (at the base of the mountains). And if Jarome Iginla was 10 years younger, it’d be even better for the Avs. But the excitement doesn’t really trickle down after just a few forwards, and the defense also doesn’t offer much offensively.
It all starts with Nathan MacKinnon for Colorado. He’s one of the more talented players in the league, and he’s just 21 years old. If he had more help, he could far surpass the 52 points he put up last season, and his career-high 63 in his rookie season.
Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Iginla put in good work on offense. Tyson Barrie can make things go from the back end. But, kind of like the Wild, things tail off after that. Carl Soderberg, Blake Comeau and Joe Colborne are fairly productive, but quite the drop from the previously-mentioned guys.
The Avs finished with the same number of goals last season as the Wild, 216. But they get a bump up because the top of their roster is offensively stronger than the top of Minnesota’s.
Apr 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) celebrates his game-tying goal with Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Winnipeg Jets won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
No. 5: Winnipeg Jets
This ranking could be too low if Patrik Laine pans out as quickly as a second overall draft pick should. But for now, it’s a pretty fair assessment of the Jets, who actually finished with the fewest goals in the Central Division last season — 215, one fewer than Minnesota and Colorado.
Wheeler had a breakout season last year, earning the team captaincy in the offseason behind 26 goals and 52 assists. Mark Scheifele, Mathieu Perreault and Bryan Little are also stout offensively, and Dustin Byfuglien can provide a lot of push from the back end. Tyler Myers isn’t an offensive dud at the blue line either.
And, unlike Minnesota and Colorado before, the Jets can offer some fine contributors lower in the lineup. Those guys also happen to be really young, and they could be even better soon.
Nikolaj Ehlers was impressive in his first NHL action last season and is just 20. The Blackhawks may have given up on Marko Dano too soon, and we’ll get to see if that is true this upcoming season. Drew Stafford is a solid veteran. Alexander Burmistrov isn’t totally useless.
And let’s not forget about Laine, who some project as more of an immediate impact player in the NHL than 2016’s first overall pick, Auston Matthews. Winnipeg could be climbing these ranks this season.
Feb 15, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) and center Jonathan Toews (19) and right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrate a goal by defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4: Chicago Blackhawks
These next three teams are very, very comparable as far as their offensive capabilities. And it may seem crazy to put the Blackhawks this low considering they have the league’s reigning scoring leader, but there are some issues with forward depth.
The obvious first talking point with the offense is Patrick Kane, the aforementioned reigning scoring leader. When you pot 106 points, you’re going to push any offense. And Kane’s success really pushed Artemi Panarin, who netted 77 points in his rookie season. Artem Anisimov also benefited offensively from playing with the two.
Jonathan Toews is noticed for a lot of things, and his offensive exploits might occasionally get pushed back. Duncan Keith is a major catalyst for the offense from the blue line, and Brent Seabrook is also offensively solid back there. Marian Hossa can still put the puck in the net as well.
But, as Blackhawks fans know, the bottom six is in a state of flux. It’s not entirely certain what the team is going to get from the third and fourth lines, but some youngsters coming in could boost things. Still, the guys up top are just so solid offensively, the Blackhawks have to get pushed up these ranks.
May 3, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left winger Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates with left winger Colin Wilson (33) after a goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharks in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
No. 3: Nashville Predators
I may have the Preds too low here, considering the one key move they made in the offseason.
Adding P.K. Subban isn’t just great for the defense. The one-time Norris Trophy winner put up 51 points last season and has exceeded 50 each of the last three years. He’s going to create a lot of chances from the back. And with Roman Josi back there as well, Nashville is going to get a ton of offensive push from the back end.
And that’s not even taking into account the Preds’ forwards. Filip Forsberg is a hot young commodity who projects to keep getting better. A healthy Mike Fisher is still solid offensively. James Neal might be a bit of a turd, but he can produce.
Ryan Johansen, Colin Wilson and Craig Smith are also nice complementary pieces on offense. And young guys like Calle Jarnkrok, Viktor Arvidsson and Colton Sissons could bring more to the plate as time goes on. And under the direction of Peter Laviolette, the offense is in a good place.
May 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates scoring against the San Jose Sharks in the third period of game six in the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2: St. Louis Blues
And maybe I have the Blues too high. But I think they have so many strong and/or capable offensive pieces that they have to be better than the 224 goals they scored last season — less than Nashville (228), Chicago (235) and Dallas (267).
It starts with Vladimir Tarasenko, who I’m really high on and who I really wish didn’t play for the Blues as a result. He has a chance to be a league scoring leader at some point, as the Russian posted 74 points last season in dazzling fashion.
Alexander Steen is really good when healthy, and the same can be said for Patrik Berglund. David Perron is fine. Jori Lehtera and Jaden Schwartz make up a great line with Tarasenko. Paul Stastny still has something to offer (again, when healthy), while youngsters like Robby Fabbri, Ty Rattie and Dmitrij Jaskin have something to offer.
And the blue line isn’t devoid of offensive talent either. That’s a huge part of Kevin Shattenkirk‘s game, while Alex Pietrangelo can do it all from the back end.
Under Ken Hitchcock, the offense just struggled to go last season. Injuries also didn’t help. But the Blues have the ability to role at least three solid lines moving forward with push from the blue line.
Jan 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Patrick Sharp (10) skates off the ice after scoring against Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (not pictured) during the overtime shootout at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Jets 2-1 in the overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1: Dallas Stars
There’s no other answer to the question of which team tops the Central Division in terms of offense. The Stars led the entire league in goals last season, and it started with a ridiculous top line.
When you can combine budding stars like Benn and Tyler Seguin and add in a strong veteran like Patrick Sharp, you’re going to get a solid push. But 217 points from a single line is pretty scary — even if it wasn’t as much as the 225 points produced by the Blackhawks’ second line.
Thing is, there isn’t a lot of severe dropoff from Dallas’ top threesome. Jason Spezza can still go in a major way. Jiri Hudler is a solid addition. Cody Eakin, Patrick Eaves, Ales Hemsky and Antoine Roussel aren’t pushovers on offense either.
On the back end, John Klingberg is offensively dynamic. Stephen Johns is going to show some push with more playing time, if his exploits in the Blackhawks’ farm system are any indication. Jordie Benn is a fine piece offensively as well.
When you have 18 guys with 12 or more points in a season, your offense is clicking. Considering eight of them had 30 or more points, that’s super clicking. And it makes Dallas’ offense the best in the Central Division.
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