The truest real talk I could ever speak: The 2015-16 season was the season in which Evgeny Kuznetsov became a star in the NHL.

By the Numbers

Visualization by Hockeyviz

About this visualization: This series of charts made by Micah McCurdy of hockeyviz.com shows various metrics for the player over the course of the 2015-16 season. A short description of each chart:

1. Most common teammates during 5v5
2. Ice time per game, split up by game state
3. 5v5 adjusted shot attempts by the team (black) and opponents (red)
4. 5v5 adjusted shooting percentage by the team (black) and opponents (red)
5. Individual scoring events by the player

Pat’s Take

Goodness, what a season for Kuzy. He kept the organization and their fans waiting years for his NHL arrival. When he finally came, he was good, but not overwhelming. And then, in the 2015 playoffs, something clicked. Kuznetosv started to grow from a good, young player with a lot of potential to a bona fide star in the best hockey league in the world.

In 2015-16, he continued that next step he started in the spring of 2015 and established himself as a star.

Let’s go over some of the Kuzy greatness from this past season:

• He finished fourth in the entire league with 57 assists.
• His 77 points were good for ninth in the league and first on the Caps.
• Kuznetsov led the NHL with 28 primary assists at 5-on-5. His 43 primary assists in all situations also led the league.
• With 1.45 primary assists/60 at 5-on-5. Kuznetsov led the league. In all situations, his 1.97 assists/60 was second only to Joe Thornton (1.98).

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Heading into the season, Kuznetsov’s career possession numbers were concerning to some and puzzling to others, but regardless generally not considered a positive. He did a lot in 2015-16 to alleviate any possession-related concerns. With a 52.0 percent adjusted shot attempt percentage, Kuznetsov ranked sixth among all Caps skaters. As his 20-game rolling average shows (courtesy of Corsica), Kuznetsov was a very sexy possession player from January on.

Alright, let’s talk about his playoff performance. I’ve already put forth my argument as to why I don’t think Kuznetsov played as badly as his offensive totals suggest. I’m also not going to allow a small handful of games have a huge impact on what I think of a player.

Would it have been nice to have seen him light up the score sheet in the playoffs? Of course. Does his postseason point total need some context, such as the unsustainably low on-ice shooting percentage? Yes. Should we totally excuse his lack of production? Probably not.

But, regardless of what you think of his paltry postseason production, it shouldn’t take away from the fact that Kuznetsov is a star in this league and a huge part of the Caps future.

Kuzy on RMNB

• On a very high level, it’s most important to understand that Kuznetsov had a lot of fun this season.
• Quote machine never breaks:
  • “We have lots of balls in this locker room.”
  • “Our fans have more class.”
  • “I would gladly trade [all my points] for a chance to play in the Stanley Cup final.”
• After that manic scoring pace in the 82, Kuznetsov dropped off in the postseason, but not for lack of trying.
• Intensity: he’s got it.

• Kuznetsov became an interviewer at the All-Star Game, drilling Backstrom with the tough questions.
• But his preferred gig would be playing Family Feud.
• Is this goal celebration an homage to Alex Semin?

And now… Jokes.

• This twister pass is jokes.

• This slap pass is jokes.

• This saucer pass is jokes.

• This tuck-in goal is jokes.

Thanks for all the jokes, Evgeny.

Your Turn

What did you think of Kuznesov’s season? If he puts together another season like 2015-16, will he considered the Caps top offensive player?

Read more: Japers’ Rink