Post by NorthStarsGM on May 19, 2021 3:44:48 GMT
Hawerchuk leads the team and the league in points
Minnesota (AP) – After the completion of the annual All Star game, which typically marks the unofficial half way point of a regular season, it’s time to reflect on the season it’s been for the NorthStars. By looking at the standings, it’s clear that the team has had a real good first 50+ games into the inaugural season of the T80HL. But let’s break it down by the forward, defense and goaltending units and see where the team is shining and where the team may be seeking improvements in the weeks leading up to trade deadline.
FORWARDS
Grade: A+
Sitting 2nd in the league with an impressive 250 goals for in 56 games, along with a deep lineup with scorers all over the place, the NorthStars are a fun team to watch. They're scoring a league high 4.46 goals/game and taking a league high 30.5 shots/game on offense so they get an A+ score for sure. The team's forwards are led by Hawerchuk, who was the team's contraction draft selection and leads the league with 95 points in 56 games. Ciccarelli joins him in the top 5 league scorers with his 75 points while two others fall within the top 20 (Broten with 68 points and Vaive with 65 points). The forwards are also playing strong defensive hockey as well - with Ciccarelli, McKegney, Broten and Hawerchuk all within the league's top ten +/- rating.
DEFENSE
Grade B+
If there is one thing that stands out for Minnesota to date is the lack of an elite offensive defenseman. Offensively they are led by Hartsburgh and McCrimmon, both of whom made the All-Star game this past weekend. They have 47 points and 43 points respectively through 56 games which is a strong result given they each have at least a +34 rating this season as well. Their 2nd pairing of Lowe and Roberts also have at least a +28 rating however it's the 3rd pairing where struggles have occurred as D Siltanen and D Giles have combined for a -1 rating. As a unit, the defense has allowed 3.05 goals/game which is 2nd best in the league but is a distant 2nd from 1st place Islanders with their 2.6 goals against. Their ability to suppress shots has been an issue too as they sit 6th with 26.3 shots allowed per game.
GOALTENDING
Grade: A
In net, the team has used their backup more than most teams as Jon Casey has shown a good ability to keep the team in games despite his young age. However it's been all star goaltender Don Beaupre who has stood out so far this year. He sits a close 2nd with a 2.95GAA and 3rd with a 88.4SV%. Hard to complain about that and it's likely as a result of the team being a more offense-heavy club that is open to allowing a few odd man rushes per game in the interest of opening up the game offensively.
In all, it's been a very strong start to the franchise needless to say but the team is not perfect and will certainly use the upcoming trade deadline to find a way to bolster the team in some way where possible.