There has been a definite trend in the NHL over the last few years that has pointed towards the league becoming more of a younger mans game. The NHL has become faster and that need for speed has led to teams shedding high-priced veteran players in favor of younger, quicker stars. However, while the number of top veterans has decreased over time there are a handful of veterans that are producing at a very high level this season. Here is a look at the veterans having the best season of their career.
D: Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
Burns has transformed from a steady defenseman that even spent time at forward to one of the most dominant rearguards in the entire NHL right now. Burns is on pace to score 30 goals this season and he is thriving at the offensive end without compromising his defensive ability. At 31-years-old, Burns is playing the best hockey of his career and the fact that he is driving possession while leading all defensemen in scoring is a testament to his incredible ability and dominance as a veteran defender.
G: Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild
After stops with the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens farm system it seemed as though Dubnyk might never make it as a quality No. 1 goaltender in the NHL. However, he found his game with the Arizona Coyotes and a trade to the Wild has reignited his career as he is among the NHL leaders in goals against average and save percentage over the last three seasons. Dubynk is having the best season of his career this year in Minnesota at 23-7-3 with a 1.78 goals against average and .940 save percentage and there is no reason to think he will slow down the rest of the way as a potential Vezina candidate.
The Wild are currently in first place in the Western Conference with 61 points.
RW: Alexander Radulov, Montreal Canadiens
After leaving for the KHL following the 2007-08 season, Radulov made his return to the NHL as a member of the Montreal Canadiens this season and he has certainly delivered with a memorable season. The 30-year-old winger has 32 points, which places him inside the top-40 scorers in the NHL. His elite skill set has been the perfect fit in Montreal where his attitude and flash has really helped bring out the best in young center Alex Galchenyuk whil rubbing off on the rest of his teammates as well. It’s incredible that the veteran has actually provided a youthful spark to his club and right now Radulov is among the veterans having the best season of his career.
G: Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers
Talbot is another veteran goaltender that is having the best year of his career in Edmonton as he is among the NHL leaders in wins this season with 22. Talbot owns an impressive 2.45 goals against average and a .918 save percentage with three shutouts. Connor McDavid and the high-flying skill players up front have received the most attention for the Oilers this season but Talbot deserves credit for holding his own on the back end with the best season of his career.
The Oilers are currently in second place in the Pacific Division with 55 points, which is quite impressive considering where they were a year ago. If the playoffs began today, they’d be the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
C: Sam Gagner, Columbus Blue Jackets
The No. 6 overall pick from the 2007 NHL Draft has bounced back this season with Columbus where his skill set has been utilized to its fullest as a key special teams player. Gagner has 14 goals and 30 points in 41 games including 14 powerplay points and a solid plus-11 rating. Gagner’s inexpensive contract makes him one of the top free agent signings of the offseason and it is a testament to the job the Blue Jackets have done building a roster that can contend in the Eastern Conference this season.
The Blue Jackets have cooled off of late following their incredible 16-game winning streak. They are just 6-4 in their last 10 games. However, they are still tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference with 64 points.
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