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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for best player on the Minnesota Wild.
Todd Cordell
The Minnesota Wild are not a great hockey team. I don’t think even their biggest supporters would argue that point, which is what makes Jared Spurgeon so special.
He logged big minutes against top competition on a nightly basis and garnered remarkably strong results.
The Wild out-scored their opponents by 14, and controlled 57.89% of the expected goals, with Spurgeon on the ice at 5v5. Of the 164 most used defenders in the NHL, only three(!) posted a higher xGF% than Spurgeon.
He helped the Wild dominate play territorially and, individually, was very productive in the offensive zone. Spurgeon was on pace for 16 goals and 42 points. Impressive totals for a defenseman; especially on a low-scoring team.
All of this is just par for the course for Spurgeon. He has posted an xGF% of *at least* 54% in eight consecutive seasons, and averaged ~44 points per 82 games over the last four.
Spurgeon isn’t just a good defenseman; he is a great one. And he’s Minnesota’s best player.
James Tanner
The Wild's best player is also one of the NHL's most underrated players - Jared Spurgeon. A puck moving defenseman good for 30-40 points every year, who also puts up excellent defensive metrics, Spurgeon would be a star, but in the NHL if you don't score over 50+ points or throw huge checks, you get underrated.
The posterboy for solidly effective and unspectacular, Spurgeon should be considered more of a star player. Here are his expected goal rates for the last seven years: 58%, 55%, 58%, 58%, 57%, 55%, 57%
When Spurgeon is on the ice, his team becomes a top team in the NHL. He won't be, but he should be a lock for the hall of fame.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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