C’s: Keith Yandle, Aaron Ekblad, Jayce Hawryluk, Dryden Hunt, Frank Vatrano
For the cases of these five, there have been performances that show they’ve pushed to finish above this, but also below. There’s plenty of time to improve, but they shouldn’t worry too much.
Topping the C’s is the ever-durable Keith Yandle. Yandle’s six points in 13 games aren’t terrible for his standards, and his defense hasn’t been as poor as it’s been either. For now, I still feel there’s more to his game that we haven’t seen yet. It doesn’t feel like he has four points on the power play this season.
The same goes for former defensive partner Aaron Ekblad. Ekblad’s mistakes have been a tad more abundant than Yandle’s however, but he did look better as the month grew to a close.
Jayce Hawryluk had a really good month when he played, keyword there being when. He was held out of the lineup a lot in favor of Mark Pysyk but has looked better since coming back in. Ultimately, not enough to get himself back into the B-range, though.
Dryden Hunt’s effort has been really well appreciated by Coach Q and a lot of Panthers members. The only concern I have, is how far does effort really get you? Three points in 13 games certainly iaren’timpressive, but he hasn’t been at fault for any mistakes.
For Frank Vatrano, it’s been a really disappointing start for him. With just five points in fifteen games, the ex-Bruin has failed to live up to his standards from last season so far. Vatrano has been better at even strength, however.
Keith Yandle: 79 (C+)
Aaron Ekblad: 78 (C+)
Jayce Hawryluk: 75 (C)
Dryden Hunt: 74 (C)
Frank Vatrano: 72 (C-)