Today, I'm going to list the MVP(s) from each Western Team and make mention of any other players who were in the running after 20 or so games.

My choices are a little slanted towards multi-category fantasy pools where more than points matter.

Anaheim Ducks

I'm going to split this between Lukas Dostal and John Gibson. With Gibson out for the first four weeks of 2024-25, Dostal put up a record of (3W-6L-2OTL) with a save percentage over 92.0 and a goals saved above average (GSAA) of 8.8. Gibson has a record of (4-1-1) with a save percentage of 92.2 and a GSAA of 3.9. Dostal has started four games to Gibson's six since Gibson has been back. He has gone (2-2-0) with a save percentage of 92.3 and a GSAA of 2.4.

The rotation split looks to be 60/40 Gibson's way for the short-term.

The Ducks are 26th in the NHL on offense at 2.57 goals per game. The best skaters have been Troy Terry (23-6-13-19) and Frank Vatrano (22-6-6-12) in my opinion. Vatrano leads the team in SOG (73) and all forwards in hits (62).

Calgary Flames

The Flames are similar to the Ducks in that they are 28th in the NHL averaging 2.52 goals per game and getting outstanding goaltending from Dustin Wolf (8-4-1) who has a save percentage of 91.7 and a GSAA of 7.20. He is wrestling the number one spot away from Dan Vladar.

I'd split the MVP between Wolf and Mackenzie Weegar (25-3-10-13). Weegar is on pace for 40-45 points and has had 58 hits and 68 blocks while averaging 23:27.

Chicago Blackhawks

While Connor Bedard (24-5-14-19) is the most valuable player on this roster, he has struggled a little in the first quarter. I'm sure his name will be here after 82 games.

I really have to give this to Ryan Donato (22-10-5-15). He leads the team in goals and even strength points (12) and has 43 hits and a 48.9 percentage in the faceoff circle. Donato has never had more than 16 goals in a season, but he has an excellent chance for more than 20 in 2024-25.

Colorado Avalanche

Cale Makar (25-8-24-32) and Mikko Rantanen (25-15-19-34) have certainly had an excellent first quarter, but Nathan MacKinnon (25-7-29-36) is just another step above both to take this honor.

MacKinnon leads the team in SOG (96), FOW (215) and has averaged 23:27 per game. Once his shooting percentage improves from 7.3, he should be on pace for 40-50 goals again.

Dallas Stars

I have to split this between Matt Duchene (23-12-15-27) and Jake Oettinger (13-4-0).

Oettinger has a save percentage of 91.5 and a GSAA of 6.8. He's had 13 quality starts in 17 games. Any worries about his game should be buried after his first quarter.

While Mason Marchment (22-10-14-24) and Tyler Seguin (19-9-11-20) have had excellent first quarters, Duchene has been the driver on that line (IPP of 75.0) and leads the team in goals, assists and points.

That line has taken the pressure off of Roope Hintz (22-10-5-15) and Jason Robertson (23-5-9-14).

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid (21-12-19-31) and Leon Draisaitl (24-17-15-32) are the two most important players on this roster without a doubt. As good as Draisaitl has been in the first quarter, McDavid was just a little better overall even after missing three games due to an injury.

It has to be a little worrisome for the Oilers witnessing Zach Hyman (20-3-5-8) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (24-4-8-12) having their production fall off so sharply after the first quarter.

Los Angeles Kings

Anze Kopitar (25-8-21-29) appears to be ageless at 37. He leads the Kings in assists, points and faceoff wins (290) with a winning percentage of 58.1. He gets the nod for the Kings.

Adrian Kempe (25-12-12-24) is in the discussion as well, and might be the guy after 82 games.

Minnesota Wild

Kirill Kaprizov (23-15-23-38) leads the NHL in scoring with 38 points in 23 games. The only other skater on the Wild in sight of Kaprizov is Matt Boldy (24-11-13-24).

Filip Gustavsson (11-4-3) is the runner-up to Kaprizov with a save percentage of 92.9 and 16 quality starts in 18 games. After struggling in 2023-24, Gustavsson needed this first quarter to prove that he could be a number one goalie in this league.

Nashville Predators

Roman Josi (25-7-15-22) finds himself back in a familiar spot as the MVP of the first quarter. Filip Forsberg (25-9-8-17) took this in 2023-24 but is only on pace for 55-65 points at this point.

I'd expect Forsberg, Jonathan Marchessault (25-4-8-12) and Steven Stamkos (25-7-6-13) to start producing a little more for the balance of the season.

San Jose Sharks

Mikael Granlund (25-10-18-28) has been the best Shark in the first quarter and leads the team in goals, assists and points.

Macklin Celebrini (15-8-6-14) might very well pass Granlund by the end of the campaign, but Granlund has had a great start and is on pace for a career year at the age of 32.

Seattle Kraken

The MVP for the Kraken after the first quarter is Brandon Montour (24-7-9-16) with Jared McCann (25-10-13-23) the runner-up.

Montour has averaged 23:52 per game and has an outside chance of getting 100 hits and blocks for the first time in his career.

McCann leads the team in goals and points.

St. Louis Blues

With new coach Jim Montgomery coming on board, some changes are going to happen to this lineup.

Robert Thomas (13-2-8-10) missed 12 games due to injury and Jordan Kyrou (25-7-13-20) was the MVP for the first quarter in his absence.

Thomas needs to stay healthy but should be the MVP at the end.

Utah Hockey Club

This was a tight race between (Dylan Guenther (24-10-11-21), Clayton Keller (24-7-15-22) and Logan Cooley (24-6-14-20).

I'm going with Cooley as he plays the more demanding center position and produced 16 ES points and four PP points while being mostly on the second unit of the power play. He has a fairly bright future to say the least.

Vancouver Canucks

If you have watched more than a handful of Canuck games on TV, there is little doubt that this goes to Quinn Hughes (23-5-23-28).

He won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 but has somehow elevated his game even more in 2024-25.

Unexpectedly, Kevin Lankinen (12-3-2) has been a rock in goal for Vancouver after the first quarter. His save percentage of 90.6 is just slightly above average while his GSAA is 3.1.

Vegas Golden Knights

Jack Eichel (25-8-28-36) has had a first quarter that many thought he was capable of. He's currently on pace for 118 points after never having more than 82 before. He's only played more than 68 games in a season twice in his previous nine years in the league.

Mark Stone (13-6-15-21) had an excellent start as well, but has missed the past 12 games with an injury. I'm sure he will be good to go for the playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets have had a number of skaters who should be considered here. Kyle Connor (25-13-16-29), Mark Scheifele (25-12-14-26), Josh Morrissey (25-2-20-22), Neal Pionk (25-4-17-21) and Nikolaj Ehlers (24-9-16-25).

Once again, Connor Hellebuyck (15-4-0) is the glue to this team and is on pace for more than 40 wins (he has a career-high of 44). His save percentage is 92.8 and GSAA is 15.5. He is easily the MVP of this team so far.

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