Who is your biggest surprise in 2013/14?

[Huntingwhale]

Can't forget about Big Ern. Seemed like the prototypical goon when he signed last season. Many people questioned his usefulness. He's been nothing short of awesome. Not only does he give the rookies a sense of confidence when he's out there, but he can actually play hockey and not hurt the team. I hope he stays here as a fan favorite for years to come. I'd love for nothing more then to see him raise a cup wearing this jersey.

[Rick M.]

Big Ern played a lot last night and looked like he was having the time of his life. Any idea how much ice time he got?

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Big Ern played a lot last night and looked like he was having the time of his life. Any idea how much ice time he got?

12:29 including a short stint on the PP.

[Rick M.]

Thanks. He was very noticeable.

[btimbit]

Hartley definitely the biggest one for me. Did not expect anything that's he's done. After last year I was thinking Hartley would make it to this summer and that's it. Now I want this coaching staff to stick around.

Other big ones

Giordano emerging as a top defenceman in the league and a true leader.

Backlund's development going the way it did.

Monahan. What else needs to be said.

Ramo not being the KHL scrub I'd written him off as years ago.

Other minor ones being Colborne, Russell and the Smid trade,

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Big Ern played a lot last night and looked like he was having the time of his life. Any idea how much ice time he got?

12:29

[sketchyt]

Joni Ortio coming up and looking like a potential NHL'er.

[automaton 3]

Giordano for me, he has become an elite-level player.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Most, if not all, of the years surprises for me have been listed save one:

I really enjoyed this watching the Flames this year. After seeing other teams rebuild *cough* Oilers *cough*, I really expected to be "tired" of the Flames by the end of the year. A bit frustrated even. That didn't happen. Not even close. It's been a fascinating, exciting year, despite their standing in the league. I never expected that, so that's the biggest surprise for me.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

Joni Ortio coming up and looking like a potential NHL'er.

And what a great "problem" that is. Ramo and Ortio could both potentially be starters. So what do you do? To complicate things, we have a serviceable career b/u in MacDonald.

So what do they do next season? Run with Ramo/Ortio tandem playing equal games and get rid of MacDonald? Send down Ortio and have MacD backup Ramo? Trade Ortio?

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

And what a great "problem" that is. Ramo and Ortio could both potentially be starters. So what do you do? To complicate things, we have a serviceable carrer b/u in MacDonald.

So what do they do next season? Run with Ramo/Ortio tandem playing equal games and get rid of MacDonald? Send down Ortio and have MacD backup Ramo? Trade Ortio?

I thought Ortio would get embarrassed as I thought he was terrible in development camp (plays deep, mediocre mobility, poor rebounds, etc...). He played ok in his short stint.... hence my vote for biggest surprise. His play did get worse as he played more games though which I assume was shooters adjusting and an inability for him to quickly adjust accordingly (which seems to be the case for most young AHL goalies. Eddie Lack anyone?).

I don't think he's ready for the NHL (if at all) for another couple years, but I tend to think the proper development path for goalies is what Detroit did with Jimmy Howard. Make them put up consistent numbers in the AHL over a long period of time with cups of coffee in the NHL before bringing them up permanently and evaluating from there. Still, he's a potential NHL'er, which is something I did not believe before this season. Pretty good for a late round pick.

I'd still like to see an upgrade in goal with Ramo and free agent/acquisition fighting it out to split 50/32 games. I know people here are down on Reimer but if he doesn't cost a lot to get, he'd make a decent tandem in that setup.

[sun]

Monny potting 20 goals in the first season after his draft. Knew we got a great player with that pick, but he has gone above and beyond my expectations for his rookie season.

Gio playing like an absolute boss following a let-down season last year is great as well.

[troutman]

That anyone would pick the Oilers to make the playoffs.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

So what do they do next season? Run with Ramo/Ortio tandem playing equal games and get rid of MacDonald? Send down Ortio and have MacD backup Ramo? Trade Ortio?

Don't re-sign MacDonald unless they need him on Abby?, Give Roy a shot at Abby?, run with the hot hand between Ramo and Ortio.

[TheDebaser]

Not the biggest surprise, but after his initial drought and before his injury Ferland was scoring at pretty much a PPG pace in the AHL.

[TheKing]

#1 Backlund, people wanted him gone, was a scratch and something just clicked and asked himself 'why aren't I holding on to the puck longer' and became a all rounded beast.

#2 Colborne since his move to the WING, wow. I'm surprized at the age of 24 he hasn't bulked up a lot...odd...but now that he finally understands the full advantage to his size he is using it, and with a successful bulk this season and some more talent joining the team I could see his #'s double.

#3. KING GIO. This guy even inspires me while watching the game. I loved iggy, but Gio just seems to take things to a whole nother level along so many aspects.

#4. Brodie. Defensively gifted, Offensively accelerating. He just makes so many good D plays that completely shut down top lines...usually.


Negatives.

Ferland getting hurt - Was looking like he was going to become a scoring power forward. High hopes for next season from me.

Gagliardi + D. Jones + SOB.
When I seen these 3 I was disappointed we picked up such trash but expected at least one of them to be reinvigorated or have a comeback of some sort but all 3 have been shameful. Jones looks decent sometimes but fades away quick.

[Tyler]

My biggest surprise was honestly with what happened to Sieloff. Talk about crappy luck

[getoverit]

1) Feaster- the team iced right now is his, who would a thought?
2) Gio emerging as a true captain
3) Brodie- just luv his game, and he is still developing, luv it
4) Hartley- wasnt a big fan like many, luv how he is giving the youth the exposure and truly developing these players. monahan/colborne prime examples. Strong TEAM system played to a T
5) Entertaining hockey, thoroughly enjoyed watching this team this year, been a long time

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Biggest Surprises for me:

- Monahan being this effective this soon. Obvioulsy still room to improve a tone, but I wasn't convinced he'd be on this team this year when we drafted him, let alone be a 20 goal scorer in his first year. Amazes me that some people still say he's a 2nd line center potential. Maybe that's what he'll be and that's fine, but how can you be capping a rookie at Monahan's age as 2nd line when he just put up 20 goals on a bad team.

- Colborne's progression. Very impresses with how much he's improved.

- Gio the captain. Not shy to admit when they announced him as captain, I was ok with it, but it was more of a he's the best of a bad options sort of thing. Little did I realize the impact his leadership and play would have. A truly effective and legit NHL captain.

[devo22]

in addition to those that were already mentioned, I want to throw in Wotherspoon. Defensemen usually take longer to develop and I thought he'd need at least one or two full AHL seasons. Certainly didn't expect him to be close to being NHL ready that early.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Itse

Positive surprises, somewhat in order of magnitude: Backlund, Giordano, Russell, Colborne, McGrattan, Monahan, Butler.

Happy but not really surprised: Brodie, Rämö.

Negative surprises: Baertchi, Galiardi, Wideman.

Disappointed but not surprised: David Jones, SOB.

Mostly in agreement with the above except for Backlund and Butler. I would be happier if both of them get traded in the off-season. Would move Russell in the "happy but not too surprised" category – plays well at the level that's expected of him. Glenncross was another disappointment this season – it's like he has an on/off switch that he chooses to engage or disengage whenever he feels like it.