NHL Power Rankings: Top 10 Metropolitan Division Wings

Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Power Rankings: #10

Starting off our list at number ten on our list of the best Metropolitan Division wings is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno. Foligno is coming off a breakout season in 2014-2015. He was rewarded for it by becoming the first Blue Jackets captain since Rick Nash was traded to the New York Rangers.

Foligno set career highs in goals (31), assists (42), points (73), even strength goals (19), and even strength points (41) during his breakout season. His 17.0% shooting percentage could be due for some regression. It’s worth noting that his shooting percentage in 2013-2014 was 16.2%. That’ll definitely be something to keep an eye on this season. His shot rate differential chart (on the left) gives a pretty obvious reason why his shooting percentage has been really good. He’s been taking a ton of shots from around the crease. That’s probably the most efficient way to guarantee a high shooting percentage.

CREDIT: War-on-ice

Foligno’s production has always been a bit inconsistent. However, he is known as being a player who makes his team noticeably better when he’s on the ice. His possession stats confirm that theory.

• 2nd in High Danger Scoring Chances For Percentage Relative (HSCF% Relative) – 7.58%
• 7th in Scoring Chances For Percentage Relative (SCF% Relative) – 5.31%
• 16th in Corsi For Percentage Relative (CF% Relative) – 2.18%
• 5th in Fenwick For Percentage Relative (FF% Relative) – 3.16%

Foligno has one major flaw. He doesn’t shoot the puck enough. This flaw is somewhat masked because so many of his shots come from near the crease. However, imagine if he took more shots around the crease? That would likely lead to even more goals.

Honorable mentions:

• Mats Zuccarello of the Rangers did not qualify for this list because he didn’t have at least 1500 minutes at even strength. Martin St. Louis‘s retirement gives Mats a free pass to either the first or second forward line (which is where he should have been to begin with).
• Patric Hornqvist barely misses the list. With another strong year (likely since he’ll be playing alongside either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin), he should be on this list next season.
• Jeff Skinner is absolutely one of the ten most talented wings in the Metropolitan Division. One could argue he’s top five. Thanks to injuries, his talent hasn’t been showing too much as of late. I expect that to change.
• Scott Hartnell is on the wrong side of 30. The Blue Jackets needed him to play a lot last season and fatigue settled in. He’s still a very efficient power play option, though.
• Wayne Simmonds of the Flyers is the definition of “power play specialist”. His even strength numbers don’t blow you away, but he’s a huge part of the Flyers power play. He’s signed to a pretty cheap contract as well.

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