The NHL All-Star Break has come and gone. Now that the 2021-22 season has passed the halfway-point, let’s have some fun and look at each team’s best player so far this year.

All statistics are accurate as of Feb. 7. 2022. We apologize for any outdated information in this article.

Anaheim Ducks: RW Troy Terry

The Anaheim Ducks have taken a huge leap forward, and Troy Terry has been a huge help. A fifth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, the 24-year-old hasn’t been much more than a depth player until this year. Breaking out, Terry now has 25 goals and 16 assists for 41 points, leading his club in all categories. Terry competed in his first career All-Star Game this season.

Arizona Coyotes: RW Clayton Keller

It’s been another miserable year for the Coyotes, but their young star Clayton Keller continues to improve. His 38 points in 45 games is on pace for the best season in his young, successful career. Keller competed in his second career All-Star Game this season.

Boston Bruins: LW Brad Marchand

A handful of stars have stood out for the Bruins this year, but Brad Marchand has been the top guy. Despite missing a few games, the feisty veteran leads the team in assists (28), points (49), penalty minutes (55) and is second behind David Pastrnak in goals (21).

Buffalo Sabres: D Rasmus Dahlin

In what’s beginning to feel like a never-ending rebuild, this season has been once again dreadful for the Sabres. However, one player has been playing phenomenally: former first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin. The defenseman has 28 points in 44 games, just two points behind his team leader, which is hard to do as a defenseman. Dahlin attended his first career All-Star game this season.

Calgary Flames: LW Johnny Gaudreau

It’s been a team effort for the Flames this season, but Johnny Gaudreau has been special. Gaudreau is challenging his career year with 99 points back in 2019, as he has 18 goals and 54 points through 42 games. Now 28-years-old, Gaudreau is in his prime, and his Flames needed him to perform this season.

Carolina Hurricanes: G Frederik Andersen

Who saw this incredible bounce-back season from Andersen coming? Ironically, Frederik Andersen was drafted by the Hurricanes in 2010, but re-entered the NHL Draft and got selected by the Anaheim Ducks in 2012. But, last year Frederik Andersen was extremely underwhelming with the Maple Leafs. The goalie’s career appeared to be coming to a screeching halt in his 30s. Now, after signing in Carolina during the summer, Andersen is 24-6-0 with a .929  save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average, leading his Canes to the top of the Metropolitan Division.

Chicago Blackhawks: RW Patrick Kane

No matter how old he gets, and how much the team struggles, Patrick Kane will always be amazing. With 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points in 42 games, Kane is on pace to score less than any other recent year, but he is still among the league’s stars and is one of few things Blackhawks fans can cheer for. Also, Alex DeBrincat is a very close second, as he is eight points behind Kane but is far and away from the team’s leader in goals with 26.

Colorado Avalanche: D Cale Makar

Colorado’s array of superstars have all been performing, but none more than young defenseman Cale Makar. Not only is Makar the heavy favorite for the Norris Trophy, but he’s even in the MVP race. Makar leads all defensemen in goals with 18 and is one of three with more points scored than games played. Thanks to Makar, the Avalanche lead the Western Conference. However, this award could easily go to Nazem Kadri, who is tied with Connor McDavid in points, or even Nathan MacKinnon if he hadn’t missed time due to injury.

Columbus Blue Jackets: D Zach Werenski

The Blue Jackets have been just average this year, and no player, in particular, has stood out. But Zach Werenski has been very solid both offensively and defensively and can be pointed to for much of the team’s success. Werenski’s 25 points aren’t far off from the team lead, and he was the Blue Jackets’ representative in the All-Star Game.

Dallas Stars: C Joe Pavelski

Joe Pavelski doesn’t seem to care that he’s 37-years-old. He was supposed to begin declining years ago, but he hasn’t, and he’s arguably even gotten better since joining the Stars in 2019. However, the Stars will need a strong collective effort as they currently sit just outside the playoff race. This year Pavelski made his first All-Star game with the Stars, after making three previously in his career with the San Jose Sharks.

Detroit Red Wings: C Dylan Larkin

The Red Wings are another team with no player who stands out far above the crowd, but Dylan Larkin has probably been their top player. The young captain is on pace for his best year, scoring 23 goals and 21 assists for 42 points in 44 games. Larkin’s successful season has helped the Red Wings see improvement from the last few seasons. Larkin also made the All-Star game this year, so you can see the NHL was pretty accurate.

Edmonton Oilers: C Connor McDavid

Did you expect anything less? Following his incredible 105-point season in just 56 games, Connor McDavid, who was an All-Star once again this year, has continued his scoring ways with 23 assists, 37 points, and 60 assists in 41 games. He trails teammate Leon Draisaitl by three points, but McDavid still remains the favorite to win the Hart and Ted Lindsay Trophies.

Florida Panthers: LW Jonathan Huberdeau

Johnathan Huberdeau has been underrated for a few seasons now, but he’s never done quite something like this. He has been one of the best players in the NHL and is a big reason why the Panthers are one of the best teams in hockey.

Los Angeles Kings: C Anze Kopitar

The Kings are having one of their best seasons in years, and it’s all thanks to a mix of solid young talent and good veteran leadership. Despite being 34-years-old, Slovenian veteran Anze Kopitar is scoring close to as much as he did almost a decade ago when the Kings won two Stanley Cups. His 42 points in 47 games are the team’s lead by a large margin.

Minnesota Wild: LW Kirill Kaprizov

It’s been a wild year for Kirill Kaprizov in Minnesota — no pun intended. Finally coming over from Russia, Kaprizov won the Calder Trophy last season, and his club made the playoffs. This year Kaprizov is only getting better, and it may end up being the Wild’s best season in franchise history. Kaprizov’s 53 points in 40 games helped him earn his first career All-Star appearance.

Montreal Canadiens: RW Tyler Toffoli

After advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals last year, the Canadiens are having a dreadful season. They have been plagued by injury and are players are underperforming, leading the team to dead last place. But some players are still doing well individually. One of them is Tyler Toffoli, who has 25 points in 33 games, just two less than the team leader, Nick Suzuki, who played 11 more games.

Nashville Predators: G Juuse Saros

Juuse Saros had some big shoes to fill following Pekka Rinne’s retirement, and he has been nothing but impressive. The Finnish goalkeeper has a 0.927 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.35 goals against average (GAA), and his Predators sit comfortably in a playoff spot. Saros also made his first All-Star appearance this season.

New Jersey Devils: LW Jesper Bratt

The Devils expected to take a step forward this season, but have not appeared to have done so. One player has, though. Jesper Bratt has scored 42 points in 43 games, already more than any other year. The future is looking much brighter for the 23-year-old.

New York Islanders: G Ilya Sorokin

The “White Whale” is red hot. Ilya Sorokin mainly played the backup role to Semyon Varlamov last year but morphed into the starter this year. Now, in his second year since coming over from Russia, Sorokin has a 0.924 SV% and 2.31 GAA. The Islanders have struggled this season, but Sorokin has done everything in his power to prevent that.

New York Rangers: G Igor Shesterkin

Ilya Sorokin has been good, but his buddy in Manhattan has been even better. Igor Sheterkin has become the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy and has been virtually impossible to score against. The Rangers have taken a huge step forward, which wouldn’t nearly be possible without Shersterkin’s magic.

Ottawa Senators: RW Drake Batherson

A few younger players have taken a good step forward in Ottawa this year, despite the team’s lackluster record. Winger Drake Batherson has progressed most notably, becoming the team’s leading scorer with 13 goals, 21 assists, and 34 points in 31 games. Unfortunately, Sabres goaltender Aaron Dell laid a dirty and unexpected hit on Batherson recently, so Batherson will be sidelined for much of the remainder of the season.

Philadelphia Flyers: C Claude Giroux

A Flyer since 2006, it would be uncanny to see Giroux in a sweater other than Flyers orange. Despite the trade rumors, Giroux is having an excellent season. Giroux has 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 42 games and made his seventh All-Star appearance in 15 seasons — winning MVP.

Pittsburgh Penguins: D Kris Letang

Kris Letang had always been a very solid defenseman in the NHL but has steadily declined during the last few seasons. Inexplicably, Letang has looked like his former self this season. He has 41 points (almost more than each of the last two seasons) in just 42 games, finding himself in the Norris conversation for the first time in a while.

San Jose Sharks: RW Timo Meier

In what is shaping to be a very mediocre season in San Jose, the Sharks are witnessing a young star unveil before their eyes. Timo Meier has impressed in the past but has never been nearly as dominant as this season. His 21 goals and 26 assists for 47 points in 41 games put him far ahead of any of his teammates.

Seattle Kraken: LW Jared McCann

In comparison to the Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural season in 2018, the Kraken have been a failure. But it seems the Kraken are going for long-term success, and some younger players have impressed this season. Jared McCann is a strong example, as he leads the team with 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points in 41 games. Jordan Eberle and Yanni Gourde are close runners-up.

St. Louis Blues: C Jordan Kyrou

In a team filled mostly with veterans, 23-year-old Jordan Kyrou has stood out. It seems he is finally reaching his full potential, as his 42 points in 40 games lead the team. Kyrou also participated in the All-Star game for the first time and won the Fastest Skater competition.

Tampa Bay Lightning: D Victor Hedman

The back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions have tons of stars, and therefore many players to choose from. Steven Stamkos and Andrei Vasilevskiy have been excellent, but Victor Hedman just slightly takes the crown. His 47 points in 46 games is very impressive for his position.

Toronto Maple Leafs: C Auston Matthews

Goal-scoring fanatic Auston Matthews has continued his ways this season. When facing the Leafs, an Auston Matthews goal has felt just about inevitable. He has 31 goals along with 21 assists for 53 points in 40 games and is just behind Chris Kreider and Leon Draisaitl in the Rocket Richard Trophy race.

Vancouver Canucks: C J.T. Miller

Almost every elite player on the Canucks has had a down year this season. Almost. Despite his underwhelming teammates, J.T. Miller has played exceptionally well. His 44 points in 44 games nearly double any other forward in Vancouver.

Vegas Golden Knights: D Shea Theodore

The Golden Knights are in first place in the Pacific Division, yet none of their players are at the top of any major statistical categories. Defenseman Shea Theodore has led the team performance, bagging 31 points in 42 games. With Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty spending time injured, and star acquisition Jack Eichel yet to play for Vegas, Theodore has stepped up from his defensive position to help Vegas stay at the top of the standings.

Washington Capitals: LW Alex Ovechkin

It’s not surprising that Alex Ovechkin is the Capitals’ best player, but it is surprising just how successful he has been. Due to his regression as well as the pandemic shortening two seasons, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goal record began feeling less and less realistic. With an even split of 29 goals and 29 assists for 58 points in 46 games, Ovechkin has restored some hope of taking the record. In fact, Ovechkin is on pace for his highest-scoring season since 2010. 

Winnipeg Jets: LW Kyle Connor

The Jets need more scoring from their top guns this season. While other forwards are failing to meet expectations, Kyle Connor has impressed. Connor has 25 goals and 20 assists for 45 points in 42 games, leading his team in all three categories.