Price range Booms: The 5 finest worth gamers within the NHL proper now

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As contracts proceed to extend, it is all the time good when an NHL crew can get worth out of somebody on a reasonable deal. Listed here are 5 of the league’s finest cost-per-point gamers to this point.Patrick Marleau|Brandon Magnus/NHLI by way of Getty ImagesThe reunion has been every thing San Jose Sharks followers hoped it will be.
Patrick Marleau, again the place all of it started. The crew’s most prolific level producer returning residence for one final crack earlier than calling it a profession. Even at 40, he nonetheless had worth to the Sharks and followers had been able to welcome him with open arms. It helped that he kicked off the season with a two-goal night time towards Chicago, making a right away affect on the struggling franchise.
With 1,082 factors in 1,493 video games, Marleau returned to the California metropolis because the crew’s all-time factors chief for what must be his swan music with fellow greybeard Joe Thornton. Marleau’s return was a well-liked signing amongst Sharks followers who simply needed to see the crew’s all-time main scorer don teal as soon as extra. And, hey, he’s nonetheless a man able to recording round 40 factors a season, so signing him to a league-minimum $700,000 was a no brainer – and with eight factors in 13 video games, it’s laborious to be upset together with his output to this point.
In actual fact, Marleau ranks seventh in crew scoring regardless of lacking 4 video games, beating out Timo Meier (coming off a career-high 66 factors final yr) and Thornton (51 factors in 2019-20), amongst others. With a cost-per-point of $87,500 early on, Marleau is bringing the Sharks unimaginable worth on a wage base that’s extra usually attributed to fourth-liners and fringe depth guys.
His contract has introduced nice worth to the Sharks, and listed below are 4 different cost-per-point darlings this season, specializing in those that will likely be a UFA on their subsequent contract:
Brad Hunt, D (Minnesota – 9 factors, $700,000 AAV)We’ve written about Hunt a number of instances this season, however that’s simply because he’s been so good. Early on, Hunt discovered himself main the Wild in scoring after 10 video games with six factors, beating his 29-game run with the crew final yr. Enjoying on a league-minimum $700,000 deal, Hunt at the moment has a cost-per-point of $77,778, the bottom of any NHLer this season. When Hunt has been paired with Carson Soucy, the duo has posted a 59.7 anticipated objectives share in any respect strengths, good for fourth amongst defensive pairs with not less than 100 minutes this season. Not dangerous for a 3rd pairing made up of two guys with restricted NHL expertise, and it might be precisely what helps Hunt stay within the lineup full-time for the primary time in his seven-year NHL profession.
Taylor Fedun, D (Dallas – 6 factors, $737,500 AAV)Fedun was one of many greatest surprises for the Stars through the crew’s rollercoaster begin in October, posting six assists and taking a $122,917 cost-per-point into the primary weekend of November. Fedun’s 5-on-5 Corsi-for charge sits at 52.58, one of the best amongst all Stars defensemen, and he’s effectively on his method to blasting previous his career-high 11-point output throughout his seven-year profession as a depth defender for Dallas. He’s nonetheless not way more than a third-pairing man, however he has dabbled on the second pairing in pinch conditions and might deal with his function with out placing his crew in hassle. After years of bouncing between the NHL and AHL, it appears like he has lastly cemented himself as a full-time NHLer.
Rocco Grimaldi, LW (Nashville – eight factors, $1 million AAV)The Predators entered the season needing additional scoring depth and so they should be proud of what they’ve gotten out Grimaldi. He holds a cost-per-point of $125,000 as he helps make Nashville one of many deepest groups within the NHL. It was a gradual street to an everyday function within the NHL, as Grimaldi couldn’t flip a powerful NCAA profession right into a tangible professional effort in Florida or Colorado. With eight factors in 13 video games, he’s not far off of tying his 53-game output with the Preds final season, one of the best complete from his first six seasons. If he can keep dependable in Nashville’s middle-six, they’ll be golden – identical to their uniforms. The pending UFA on a one-year deal wants all the assistance he can get to make his (monetary) desires come true, however he’s trying good early on.
Barclay Goodrow, C (San Jose – 7 factors, $925,000 AAV)The Sharks doubtless didn’t envision Goodrow sitting forward of Meier or Thornton in scoring at this level within the season, particularly after solely producing 17 factors from the fourth line final season. However with a cost-per-point of $132,143, Goodrow’s seven factors have made him a priceless depth possibility for a crew struggling for ends in the early going. Goodrow has a profession common ice time of 11:01 however has earned extra duties this yr with a median of 14:07, highlighted by his 17:14 towards Chicago on Tuesday whereas enjoying alongside Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier. If he continues to stay on the second line, including grit to a line full of talent, Goodrow might show to be a really sturdy funds possibility for the Sharks.
(All wage cap data by way of CapFriendly, and all superior statistics by way of NaturalStatTrick).
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Tags: san jose sharks, minnesota wild, tampa bay lightning, nashville predators, nhlConnect: Concerning the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.