With 2022-2023 behind us, we are going to take a look at any players in the West who stood out in the playoffs and could elevate their game going forward.

We all should realise that playoff success doesn't always translate to regular season success, as there are players who just elevate their game come playoff time but can't sustain that pace for 80 games.

In no particular order:

Artturi Lehkonen – Colorado 7GP – 3 Goals – 3 Assists – 6 Points

As good as Lehkonen was in the regular season where he had career-highs in goals (21) and points (51) in 64 games, there is another level he could reach but there is some risk. He has a chance to play on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, but the Avalanche have such a drop off after their first line (at the moment), it's a concern if he's not playing there. He has a ceiling of 70 points but a floor of around 40.

Roope Hintz – Dallas 19-10-14-24

If Hintz could stay healthy and play 75 games or more, he is a viable candidate for 90 points sooner than later. He's had 190 points in his 194 games over the past three years. His career-highs are 37 goals and 75 points to date, but his IPP of 82.8 in 19 playoff games, shows he has the ability to drive play at even strength on the line with Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski.

Thomas Harley – Dallas 19-1-8-9

Harley only played six games in 2022-2023 and now has 40 career games in the NHL. His nine points in 19 playoff games were all at even strength. He should have secured a spot on the Star's defense unless he has a terrible pre-season. Temper your expectations a little as he was still sheltered and averaged just over 16 minutes per game.

Evan Bouchard – Edmonton 12-4-13-17

The sky’s the limit for Bouchard after his impressive playoff run. Of his 17 points in 12 games, 15 were on the power play which was two more than his whole regular season. He's had greater than 40 points back to back, so a breakout to 55-65 is quite possible.

Adrian Kempe – Los Angeles 6-5-3-8

I had my doubts that Kempe could even duplicate his 35 goals from 2021-2022. He went out and put up 41 in 2022-2023 and five goals in six playoff games. His last four quarters for goal scoring have been 17, 18, 18 and 23 goals. He's been consistent. What he showed for me in the playoffs is that he is the prime shooter on the power play and could add some more there. He's had 30 and 29 even strength goals over the past two campaigns. He's the real deal for 35-45 goals.

Eeli Tolvanen – Seattle 14-3-5-8

In 63 games in a Kraken uniform (including playoffs) Tolvanen posted 19 goals and 16 assists on 125 shots on goal. If he can play 75 games or more he could put up 20-25 goals and assists. He is slotted for the third line, so that is one thing holding him down a little.

Tye Kartye – Seattle 10-3-2-5

Kartye went undrafted and didn't play a game for the Kraken in the regular season. In the playoffs he made a few people notice him with three goals, a plus-six and 44 hits. He is not projected to be a regular on the depth chart at this point, but if he impresses in pre-season he could make the team. He proved he can play in the NHL.

Phillipp Grubauer – Seattle 7-7-0 2.99 GAA 90.3 save%

In his 11 NHL seasons, Grubauer has only played more than 40 games once and he struggled. In 56 games in 2021-2022 he went 18-31-7 and had a GAA of 3.16, a save percentage of 88.9 and an NHL worst GSAA of negative 26.64. By being average in the playoffs this year, he gave Seattle a chance to win on most nights and that is all this team will need from him going forward. Just be average.

Adin Hill – Vegas 11-2-2 2.17 GAA 93.2 save%

Hill has never played more than 27 games in six NHL campaigns. He now has a Stanley Cup and was excellent for the Golden Knights. This should open the door for him to  play more and be at least the 1A whether that is in Vegas or elsewhere. He is an unrestricted free agent who might be rewarded elsewhere. Depending where he goes we could see 40-50 starts for him.

Ivan Barbashev – Vegas 22–7-11-18

Barbashev won his second Stanley Cup after winning with St. Louis in 2018-2019. In the run with the Blues he had 87 hits in 25 games and put up six points. His contribution with Vegas was a little different as he had 18 points in 22 games and managed to post 64 hits as well. He is now an unrestricted free agent, but he is so well-built for the playoffs that a team in the window for a Cup run will be looking to add him. He's a multi-category threat who should get 45-55 points.

Brett Howden – Vegas 22-5-5-10

The 25-year-old Howden is a restricted free agent and only helped his cause in the playoffs this year. He had 10 points and 64 hits in 22 games. I wouldn't be surprised if he is a casualty of salary cap restrictions in Vegas going forward but there is another level to his game wherever he ends up as he's never had more than nine goals or 23 points before. He should be able to post 10-15 goals and assists and 120 hits or more. Injuries have been his concern as he hasn't played more than 70 games in his career.

Adam Lowry – Winnipeg 5-4-1-5

Lowry had arguably his finest NHL campaign of his nine seasons. He ended up with 13 goals and 22 assists to go along with 161 hits in 82 games. He didn't have a PPG in his last 330 games, but had two in the playoffs. Perhaps there is a spot for him on the power play, depending on what happens in Winnipeg with Pierre-Luc Dubois and a few others. His career-high of 15 goals could be in danger.

Thanks very much for reading and if you have any comments or suggestions, please leave them below or follow me on Twitter @gampbler15