2. Zdeno Chara’s one of the three or four guys that really brought new age statistical analysis into the mainstream (also famously in this group: teammate Patrice Bergeron). Their punishing, relentless style of play has always been observable to the eye, but the underlying numbers – like scoring chances and Corsi measurements – really emphasized the kind of control exerted on the game. But last year, albeit a semi-injury-riddled one, was a slip from his usual dominance. Boston only scored 48% of goals with him on the ice (they actually broke-even with him off of the ice), a very un-Chara-like development. For my money he’s still one of the league’s better first-pairing guys, but it's possible he’s been officially eclipsed by guys like the aforementioned Karlsson and P.K. Subban.

3. Mike Green’s goal percentages don’t seem to jive with his scoring chance and possession percentages, but he was still a positive contributor across the board in his final year with Washington. And while he is still part of the $6-million AAV club, it’s important to note that Detroit hedged the risk on his contract by getting him on just a three-year deal. For a guy who led this entire group in per-60 scoring (by both goals and points), that’s a very rational bet.

4. Lastly, If there’s single player who stands out here, it’s Alex Pietrangelo. I’m more than willing to entertain the argument that last year was a total one-off or aberration, but it doesn’t absolve him of the 2014-2015 performance.

Yost continues...