NHL Team of the Season 2022

Center: Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs

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Matthews has had an absolutely amazing season with the Maple Leafs, posting his first career 100 point season, as well as being the first player in 10 years to put up 60 goals in one season. With only one game left up against the Boston Bruins, and most other teams in the league being close to their conclusion as well, it is fairly safe to assume that Matthews will end up taking home the Maurice “Rocket" Richard Trophy.

Matthews has been able to create space for himself and his teammates all season, as well as switching up his shot style to get a lower attempt on the net and sharpen the angle of the puck by going down on one knee when ripping out a shot or a one-timer. This has made the player pot in a lot of impressive goals, as well as sharing the style with his linemate Mitch Marner, which has seen him pot in a few goals in a similar fashion. He has also managed a decent defensive season with a +20 for his +/- rating and leading the league in takeaways with 92 pucks stolen away from other players. These stats see Matthews take the center position for the 2021-22 Team of the Season, despite a fair few other strong competitors.

Honourable Mentions: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Steven Stamkos, Aleksander Barkov

Left-Wing: Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

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Johnny Gaudreau has had an overall solid season, with the highest +/- rating in the league, sitting at a +63 on the season, which also puts him in the top 50 for single-season +/- across all time. Overall the small winger has laid solid hits and has really stepped up his production with the Flames, putting up his first 100-point season since his entrance to the NHL. This could potentially be a product of the changing situation on the Flames, with the team"s first line being the best in terms of goal difference in the 2021-22 season, largely thanks to this player"s passing ability and puck handling skills. His ability to create space in the offensive zone is almost unparalleled, and he seems to have the puck on a string when he is deking around opposing players.

Whether he be in the defensive or offensive end, Gaudreau is an asset to his team and a threat to the opposing one. He is a cornerstone of the Flames organization, with nine game-winning goals during this season, and his role on the powerplay that has created 25 powerplay points for this player, on top of six goals. While his size keeps him off of the penalty kill line, he has managed 50 takeaways as well as 10 hits, which make him a strong even strength defensive player.

Honourable Mentions: Jonathan Huberdeau, Kirill Kaprizov, Matthew Tkachuk, Alex Ovechkin

Right-Wing: Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs

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In terms of right-wingers, Marner is at the top of the pack in multiple departments. The player in question has some strong offensive rates, including how he currently has the most assists, points, and shorthanded and even strength points amongst the right-wings of the NHL. As well, he has still managed to be one of the top three in points per game and in the top 10 in shooting percentage. His passing has been superb all season, which has seen the Leafs" first line be one of the highest-scoring lines in the league, which should come as no surprise given they are also one of the highest-paid lines in the league.

Defensively Marner is no slacker either, with 72 takeaways this season, the highest of any right-wing. This, combined with his shot-blocking and puck tracking abilities have seen the player become a staple of the Maple Leafs" penalty kill unit. His +/- rating is highly impressive given the amount of time he spends on the ice, with a +23 this season. Overall, the Leafs" winger certainly has earned his spot in the Team of the Season and looks strong going into the playoffs.

Honourable Mentions: Patrick Kane, Mikko Rantanen, Mats Zuccarello, David Pastrnak

Left-Defence: Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

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The only captain on this team, Josi has managed a spectacular season and is one of only three defensemen to achieve an 80+ point season this season. While he has an impressive offensive rate this season, his defensive abilities are what truly earns him his spot on this team with 130 blocked shots, a huge reason why he sits at a +12 in terms of +/- and why his team qualified for the Stanley Cup this year. In terms of filling roles, the player fills one of the hardest as the captain of his team, as well as serving on every extra team"s unit"s first or second line. This has seen Josi put up 36 powerplay points and 10 powerplay goals.

When in the offensive end, Josi has no rival this season, with 93 points. His passing game has been top-notch as he moves to create space for his teammates and then fires off a quick pass to his teammates to allow them to pot a shot on the net and tuck it in. The player is certainly able to carry the puck as well, given how even though he doesn"t often shoot the puck, he has still managed 22 goals. Knowing that he is a threat anywhere on the ice, he certainly belongs on this roster for the Team of the Season.

Honourable Mentions: Victor Hedman, Morgan Rielly, Devon Toews, Noah Hanifin

Right-Defence: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

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Makar is only in his first full NHL season, and he has looked just as strong across an 82-game season as he did in the shortened seasons that the NHL has had to endure. The former Calder Memorial Trophy winner has shown that it was not just a fluke that he had a strong entry to the league, with 110 blocked shots this season, he is more than willing to sacrifice his body in order to keep his team ahead. On top of that, he has served well in his defensive capabilities with 48 takeaways and continuing to throw his body around with 94 hits, a large number from a player considered an offensive defenceman.

In just his third season with the team, Makar has moved to become a key player for his team, landing himself on the first defensive line for every unit, including both the powerplay and penalty kill, as well as landing himself a role as an alternate captain with the Avalanche despite the fact that the team already had three alternates and a regular captain. However, Makar"s production in the offensive end and clear ability in the defensive zone have allowed him to be both a wunderkind in the NHL and a star feature in this Team of the Season.

Honourable Mentions: Adam Fox, John Carlson, Kris Letang, Aaron Ekblad

Goalie: Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames

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There really could be no question about who would start in the net in this team, as Jacob Markstrom has truly anchored himself as one of the best goalies in the league this season. Markstrom not only has an amazing save percentage at .922 on 62 starts, but he has also managed nine shutouts so far this season, with two games left to play. Overall this goalie has made some amazing strides given that he finally has been able to step into the spotlight at 32 years old, as well as being the uncontested starter for his team. His puck management has been topnotch as seemingly every shot he gets to either ends up frozen or back in a corner to take away rebound opportunities and help keep his team in front. The veteran goalie is a defenseman"s dream, and an offensive player"s nightmare, landing him the starting position in the Team of the Season.

Honourable Mentions: Igor Shesterkin, Frederik Andersen, Juuse Saros, Jack Campbell

To see who we predict for the Calder Memorial Trophy this season, click here, otherwise for more hockey coverage and awards content, stick around on Overtime Heroics.

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