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CaptHowdy00
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The NHL’s best surprises and biggest disappointments halfway through the 2023-24 seasonThe NHL’s best surprises and biggest disappointments halfway through the 2023-24 season
Best surprise: Trevor Moore erupting as a goal scorer
Cam Talbot’s rebound season after a difficult year in Ottawa certainly deserves a strong look here but who could have imagined Moore leading the Kings with 18 goals and potentially making a strong bid at a 30-goal season? He’s already surpassed his previous career high of 17 set in his breakout 2021-22 season. Moore has had a rebound of his own after an upper-body injury played a large part in him regressing to 10 goals in just 59 games last season. And while he’s shooting a career-best 14.8 percent, it’s not as if he’s scoring at an astronomical rate. He’s right behind Adrian Kempein shots on goal and should hit the 200 mark for the second time.
Biggest disappointment: PL Dubois not making a difference
That was the goal when Kings general manager Rob Blake moved Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari for the 25-year-old Dubois. He was supposed to give Los Angeles unparalleled depth at center, fitting in with Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault and Blake Lizotte. Instead, Dubois is headed for career lows over a full season as he’s on a pace for just 15 goals and 34 points. He had three goals in his first four games and has only four in 33 since. To be fair, Dubois has often played with unfinished young forwards Alex Laferriere and Arthur Kaliyev. But coach Todd McLellan has tried him with Kevin Fiala, taken to putting the high-scoring Kempe on his wing and even demoting him briefly to the fourth line in order to help get him going. With Vilardi and Iafallo playing great for NHL-leading Winnipeg, the trade has so far been decidedly in the Jets’ favor. — Eric Stephens
Best surprise: Trevor Moore erupting as a goal scorer
Cam Talbot’s rebound season after a difficult year in Ottawa certainly deserves a strong look here but who could have imagined Moore leading the Kings with 18 goals and potentially making a strong bid at a 30-goal season? He’s already surpassed his previous career high of 17 set in his breakout 2021-22 season. Moore has had a rebound of his own after an upper-body injury played a large part in him regressing to 10 goals in just 59 games last season. And while he’s shooting a career-best 14.8 percent, it’s not as if he’s scoring at an astronomical rate. He’s right behind Adrian Kempein shots on goal and should hit the 200 mark for the second time.
Biggest disappointment: PL Dubois not making a difference
That was the goal when Kings general manager Rob Blake moved Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari for the 25-year-old Dubois. He was supposed to give Los Angeles unparalleled depth at center, fitting in with Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault and Blake Lizotte. Instead, Dubois is headed for career lows over a full season as he’s on a pace for just 15 goals and 34 points. He had three goals in his first four games and has only four in 33 since. To be fair, Dubois has often played with unfinished young forwards Alex Laferriere and Arthur Kaliyev. But coach Todd McLellan has tried him with Kevin Fiala, taken to putting the high-scoring Kempe on his wing and even demoting him briefly to the fourth line in order to help get him going. With Vilardi and Iafallo playing great for NHL-leading Winnipeg, the trade has so far been decidedly in the Jets’ favor. — Eric Stephens