3. Mike Hardman
Points in Utica: 13
Mike Hardman was given a chance last month to play with the New Jersey Devils. He was called up when Shane Bowers was sent down to start the month. He’s another player who had a shot to prove himself in the NHL, playing 37 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks. Hardman hasn’t been as good as Halonen and Beckman in the AHL, but he has something above both of them. His underlying numbers were insane in that one game in New Jersey.
Looking through Natual Stat Trick, Hardman weirdly leads the Devils in multiple stats. It is a very small sample size but worth noting in this context. He only played in the December 2nd game against the New York Rangers, which was a 5-1 destruction.
In that game, Hardman was on the ice for just over eight minutes. He was there for two high-danger chances and none against him. His 75% xGF% also leads the team. He hit two players and blocked two shots in those eight minutes. Hardman avoided shots against him while even getting a chance for himself individually.
Hardman has nine goals in the AHL, so he does have a reason to play in the NHL, but he very much feels like the third option here. The reason he’s here is he was already given an NHL shot, and he played well. Might as well try it again.