Japers’ Rink Player Card (click for a hi-res version; data via NHL.com, Corsica.hockey and Cap Friendly):
Eller’s Season, Game-by-Game (via HockeyViz, explained here):
Eller and His Linemates (chart by @muneebalamcu):
Eller’s 5v5 Teammates and Competition (via HockeyViz, explained here):
Eller’s 5v5 Usage (chart by @muneebalamcu):
Eller’s With-or-Without You (via HockeyViz, explained here):
Eller’s Rolling Shot-Attempt (Corsi) -For Percentage (chart by @muneebalamcu):
Eller’s Last Nine Seasons (via Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com):
Eller’s Goals Against Replacement (GAR) Components (chart by @ChartingHockey, data by @DTMAboutHeart, explained here, Tableau here):
Eller’s HERO Chart (via Own The Puck):
Key Stat: Eller was brought to Washington during the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by General Manager Brian MacLellan to improve the team’s bottom six forwards, especially with the puck in the offensive zone. Unfortunately Eller’s 25 points were the second fewest he’s scored in a full NHL season (excluding the lockout shortened 2012-2013 campaign).
Interesting Stat: The Danish center skated in 81 regular season contests for Washington, a career high for the eight year professional.
The Good: As advertised Eller brought strong skating and his large frame to the Capitals’ bottom six and used it to his advantage to lean against defenses in Washington’s offensive zone. He is strong on his stick and capable of winning battles for loose pucks along the boards by relying on his size and smarts to manage time and space.
Eller’s was at his most productive offensively immediately after the New Year. His months of January and February included streaks of six points in five games (January 11 to 19) and six points in seven games (February 4 to 19).
The Bad: Eller only managed to average .31 PPG with Washington this season despite the team tallying 263 goals throughout the regular season, good enough for third in the league. That scoring average was the second lowest of Eller’s career (only counting full NHL seasons) after his first year with the Montreal Canadiens (.22 PPG in 2010-2011). In addition to his scoring woes Eller also saw regression in his faceoff win rate. His 47.11% winning percentage was his lowest mark since 2011-2012 and it was also his third straight season of declining numbers in the dot (from 53.22%).
In the postseason Eller was barely noticeable, only tallying five assists over thirteen contests (and picking up 10 PIMs in the process). He had several glorious chances to score in the second round series against Marc-Andre Fleury but was stymied on even his best attempts. It was clear Eller was the not the same threatening player who tallied five goals and eight assists in the postseason just three years ago.
The Video:
The Vote: Rate Eller below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season – if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.
The Discussion: Is Eller worth the price paid for him last year (2017 and 2018 2nd Round Selection)? Has Eller already peaked as a scoring forward and center? What would it take for you to give him a “10” next year?