[TheScorpion]

It's simple -- give the players a rating on how they've played this season. I thought this would be a good time to do this, seeing as how we're approaching the mid-way point of the year.

Forwards:

Backlund: A (all-around fantastic player, in all three zones. can score frequently, and is premier defensively)
Tkachuk: A (exceeding every expectation as a rookie. he'll be a fixture in the red and yellow for years)
Versteeg: A- (fantastic playmaker, lots of skill -- hope he's re-signed. this team needs him)
Gaudreau: A- (maybe not producing at his highest capability, but he's still been great)
Frolik: B+ (started off hot, but has cooled off somewhat recently)
Monahan: B (is heating up, but is still below his average pace. needs to use his body more)
Brouwer: B (lacks consistency, but has formed good chemistry with his linemates and brings physicality)
Bennett: B- (like brouwer, he lacks consistency, but when he's on, he's on. will probably reach 20/20)
Ferland: C+ (has been fine, but needs to score more to get a higher rating. best hitter on the team)
Chiasson: C+ (has hot and cold spells. right now, he's on one of the latter, but brings a solid net-front presence)
Hathaway: C+ (intangibles! they always win with him in -- he brings truculence like few others)
Stajan: C (is easily the best player on the team at being matt stajan. jokes aside, he's a good 4C)
Jankowski: C (small sample size, so his rating can't go any higher -- but he didn't look lost in his one game)
Hamilton: C- (doesn't play every night, but shows the odd promising attribute. nothing wrong with appeasing dougie)
Bouma: C- (he will never be his 2014-15 self again. it's too bad, that player was awesome. this one is meh)
Shinkaruk: D (didn't leave much of an impression during his stint with the big club. still has time to develop)
Vey: D- (the very definition of a plug. a fine 14th forward, who can play 8 minutes every third game)

Defense:

Hamilton: A (he brings a cannon from the point, and is solid in his own end. what brodie was in 2015)
Giordano: A- (started slow, but has really rounded into form. a true leader for this club)
Brodie: B (his fiancee's ms diagnosis probably (rightfully) hurt him. he's also playing his off-side. he'll get better)
Wideman: B- (somewhat of a rebound season for dennis. he's been a good complement for tj on the right side)
Engelland: B- (it's amazing how much better he's gotten in three years. a leader with physicality and good puckhandling)
Jokipakka: C (he's still developing, for sure. he looked strong to start the year, but has seemingly lost a step lately)
Kulak: C- (same with jokipakka, but he was sent back down to stockton. lots of promise with both of them)
Grossmann: F (actually the worst player i have ever seen wearing the flaming c)

Goalies:

Johnson: A- (this guy is probably going to be an all-star. he's been pretty good. forms a good tandem with...)
Elliott: B- (has been far better of late. looked terrible to start, but has won his last 3 games.)


Your thoughts?