Bang For The Buck: February Edition - The Hockey Writers - Montreal Canadiens

For the first time in two months there is a new name atop the list of the best bargain players in the NHL.

Pierre-Alexandr Parenteau supplants Brian Elliott at number one in the February edition of Bang For The Buck:

*Note: The list does not include players who are still working off their rookie contracts
*Previous ranking in brackets

10. (1o) Petr Sykora, New Jersey Devils

Cap hit– 0.650

62 GP, 15 G, 18 A

Most laughable comparison: None

*Sykora continues to provide the Devils with some very surprising production. The 35-year-old has teamed with linemate and fellow veteran Dainius Zubrus to give the Devils a source of secondary scorig behind the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise.

9. (9) Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens
Cap hit- 1.572
60 GP, 25 G, 21 A
Most laughable comparison: Scott Gomez- cap hit of 7.357 (33 GP, 2 G, 7 A)
*Montreal’s leading goal-scorer, Pacioretty is well on his way to reaching the 30-goal-plateau; something the club thinks he can do with with consistency as his career develops.

8. (6) Rich Peverley, Boston Bruins
Cap hit- 1.325
49 GP, 9 G, 29 A, +20
Most laughable comparison: None
*Currently on the IR with a knee injury, Peverley’s impressive numbers keeps him on the list. The Bruins have badly missed the third-line center and will certainly hope he makes a speedy recover and is at full strength for the stretch drive

7. ( NR) Nick Foligno, Ottawa Senators
Cap hit: 1.200
64 GP, 13 G, 25 A
Most laughable comparison: None
*The 24-year-old has already established a new career high in points with 38 and has been a consistently chippy presence for the surprising Senators.

6. (7) Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes
Cap hit- 2.000
49 GP, 28-14-7, 2.27 GAA, 0.93 sv%
Most laughable comparison: Daymond Langkow- cap hit of 4.500 (53 GP, 8 G, 14 A)
*Smith has been on an incredible roll of late and is one of the hottest goalies in the league. Smith’s success along with Ilya Bryzgalov’s struggles in Philadelphia is proving head coach Dave Tippett to be one of the game’s best defensive tacticians.

5. (5) Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
Cap hit- 2.250 47 GP, 32-13-2, 2.09 GAA, 0.92 save%
Most laughable comparison: None
*Still tied for second in league wins despite missing much of February with an injury, Howard continues to rank as one of the top goaltenders in the league for the mighty Red Wings.

4. (4) Kyle Wellwood, Winnipeg Jets
Cap hit– 0.700
63 GP, 13 G, 24 A
Most laughable comparison: Nik Antropov- cap hit of 4.062 (57 GP, 9 G, 20 A)
*Wellwood is closing in on his career high of 45 points and continues to be one of the Jets most reliable forwards at both ends of the rink.

3. (1) Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues

Cap hit– 0.600

23 GP, 19-10-5, 1.65 GAA, 0.94 save%

Most laughable comparison: None

*Although it is becoming clear that he will serve as Jaroslav Halak’s backup for the rest of the season, Elliott is still putting up some very impressive numbers and is without question the best second-option in goal in the NHL.

2. (2) David Desharnais, Montreal Canadiens

Cap hit– 0.850

63 GP, 12 G, 34 A

Most laughable comparison: Gomez

*Desharnais’ unheralded rise into the NHL’s elite continues with the undrafted forward currently tied for the Habs scoring lead with 48 points.

1. (3) P.A Parenteau, New York Islanders
Cap hit- 1.250
62GP, 15 G, 43
A Most laughable comparison: Michael Grabner– cap hit of 3.000 (61 GP, 15 G, 10 A)
*Ranking in the top 20 in league scoring with 58 points, Parenteau moves nito the top spot as the best bargain player in the NHL.