December is normally a time of good tidings. There has to be a nice list along with the list of naughty right? Exactly!
Bring Out Your Bad: NHL Free Agent Under Performers
It is fun when it comes to free agents. Teams are going to be high with hope that their signings will work out. When those players surprise, they get branded into a special category — “The over achievers”.
The NHL Free Agent Over Achievers — December
Jonathan Marchessault – LW, C — Florida Panthers
Jonathan Marchessault signed a cheap two year, $1.5 million dollar deal with the Panthers in the summer. He was known as a speedy player who could generate a little offensive pop. There was this expectation of maybe 25 points or so and most would have been happy.
The rest was history as the winger steamed out to 13 points in his first 14 games. Granted, he has cooled off some but is still on at least a 50 point pace. A lingering hamstring injury slowly him down a little bit but his ice time has come back up over the last week.
There is little doubt that this speedy winger who loves to shoot belongs on a top six unit. When Jaromir Jagr says a forward is way too fast for him, it really is a compliment. Over his 25+ year career, he has seen more than his share of blazing fast wingers.
Frederik Andersen — G — Toronto Maple Leafs
Where does one begin? The first few weeks in the Toronto chapter of Frederik Andersen and Leafs fans wanted him shipped to the far reaches of Ontario. Three of his really bad starts (RBS) came in that early going. A RBS is when a goalie has a save percentage of less than .850.
Since then, the $5 million man has picked up in a big way (RFA – five years, $25 million). His overall record is now up to 14-8-6 with a 2.49 GAA and .923 save percentage. His last ten starts features a save percentage up near .940. These are some pretty gaudy numbers for a goalie playing on a team who gives up the third most scoring chances in the league.
Toronto plays a fun and fast style that leads to a lot of give and take both ways. They needed a goaltender that could accept some bad nights and absorb a lot of rubber. Enter Andersen at only 26, who is playing like he did in Anaheim. The Maple Leafs needed a steady goalie who could steal some games. It turns out they have a little more than that.
There are some concerns like his six overtime and shootout losses. That stat leads the league. Toronto is a young team which does not hold their advantages all that well. These are often the growing pains in backstopping a youthful squad. Some also fear that he has never played in more than 54 games. That is a worry but so far, Andersen has been so good.