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10 NHL Players Who Have Overachieved So Far In 2014-15 Season

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By @powerplaywithcj

10 NHL Players Who Have Overachieved So Far In 2014-15 Season

Mark Giordano Calgary Flames December 2014-15
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Halfway through the 2014-15 NHL season, plenty of NHL players are surprising with their high levels of play. Many players who were projected to be less than stellar have turned in fine campaigns to open the season. These 10 players have been among the biggest overachievers in the league so far.

10. Scott Darling

Chicago Blackhawks Backup Goaltenders Antti Raanta Scott Darling
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10. Scott Darling

Chicago Blackhawks Backup Goaltenders Antti Raanta Scott Darling
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The Blackhawks goalie has only played eight games in the NHL, but he has been impressive for a fine Chicago squad. Despite Corey Crawford and Antti Raanta being firmly entrenched in the net, the team will surely be finding starts for the former Maine Black Bears player.

9. Rick Nash

New York Rangers v Calgary Flames
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9. Rick Nash

New York Rangers v Calgary Flames
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While he may be paid like a superstar, Nash has underachieved in recent years, most notably during the Rangers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final last season. This year, Nash has been a lightning rod for the Rangers’ attack. While overachiever may not be the most apt description for him, this has definitely been a renaissance year for the former Richard winner, who has put the last few years of struggles behind him.

8. Marc-Andre Fleury

Dallas Stars v Pittsburgh Penguins
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8. Marc-Andre Fleury

Dallas Stars v Pittsburgh Penguins
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Much like Nash, the highly-paid Fleury has had some down years, especially in recent playoffs runs. This year, Fleury has backstopped the Penguins to one of the best records in the NHL. At age 30, he is playing the best hockey of his career. If Fleury keeps up his stellar play, there’s no doubt the Penguins will be one of, if not the odds-on favorite in the Eastern Conference.

7. Tyler Seguin

Tyler Seguin
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

7. Tyler Seguin

Tyler Seguin
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Seguin is a fantastic NHL player and one of the most talented players in the league, but no one saw him being the league’s leading goal scorer. While the Stars have underachieved this season, Seguin has been anything but the problem. If the team somehow gets itself back in the playoff picture, they’ll have Seguin’s amazing play to thank.

6. Kevin Shattenkirk

St. Louis Blues v Anaheim Ducks
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6. Kevin Shattenkirk

St. Louis Blues v Anaheim Ducks
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The former BU Terriers player is usually behind Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester on the Blues’ depth chart, but this year has been one of the most integral parts of the team’s attacks. Shattenkirk has 35 points in 37 games, and the former U.S. Olympian will likely pass his career-high of 45 points before the month of February.

5. Matt Beleskey

St Louis Blues v Anaheim Ducks
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5. Matt Beleskey

St Louis Blues v Anaheim Ducks
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Anaheim has the best record in the NHL, and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon despite a rash of injuries. Beleskey has 17 goals to lead the Ducks and has done everything head coach Bruce Boudreau has asked of him -- and then some. The 27-year old is on a 34-goal pace and is also a free agent at the end of the year, meaning he could make himself some serious money this summer.

4. Filip Forsberg

Filip Forsberg Nashville Predators 2014-15
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Filip Forsberg

Filip Forsberg Nashville Predators 2014-15
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

“Potential” gets thrown out there a lot, and it was surely stuck on Forsberg as he came up in the Predators’ system. The 20-year old rookie winger is leading the Preds in scoring and showing what potential looks like when it comes to fruition.

3. Jakub Voracek

how serious is jakub voracek's injury?
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jakub Voracek

how serious is jakub voracek's injury?
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Despite the Flyers’ struggles, Voracek and Claude Giroux have been on fire as they’ve been among the league’s scoring leaders all season. Voracek is currently leading the NHL in scoring and playing the absolute best hockey of his career.

2. Tyler Johnson

Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning - Game One
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2. Tyler Johnson

Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning - Game One
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Few players have found themselves a better niche than the former undrafted Spokane Chiefs player has in Tampa. The undersized forward is fifth in the NHL scoring and playing in all situations for Jon Cooper’s upstart Lightning team -- not bad for a player who signed a very reasonable three-year deal worth million per year this past summer.

1. Mark Giordano

Mark Giordano Calgary Flames 2014-15
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Mark Giordano

Mark Giordano Calgary Flames 2014-15
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Flames defenseman has always been a nice player, but has morphed into a legitimate Norris Trophy contender this season. 35 points in 40 games has him leading NHL defensemen in scoring, and his play on both ends of the ice has the Flames in the playoff race.

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