The NHL Redux: Panthers' Bjugstad not short on motivation
Mr. Hockey.
Where's the incentive, when one has already been exalted with such acclaim?
For Nick Bjugstad, who earned the moniker and a first-round draft selection from the Florida Panthers with his 60-point senior season in the Minnesota high-school system back in 2010, it was the beginning of his ascendancy to becoming one of the most unheralded, subtly dominant players in the NHL.
But his drive hasn't subsided since he realized the NHL dream, or even since he signed a lucrative long-term contract extension last winter.
Bjugstad's ambition is abundant. For self, for team, and for country too.
He's on the shortlist of U.S.-born players who will have each shift this season scrutinized by Dean Lombardi, Paul Holmgren, John Tortorella, and the rest of the Team USA brain trust, which is conducting evaluations for next summer's World Cup of Hockey roster.
Now, Mr. Hockey isn't about to become Captain America, but Bjugstad has played himself into the conversation, and is conscious of his position on the U.S. bubble.
"It's in the back of your head," Bjugstad told theScore, "but it's something you don't want to dwell on too much during the season. You look at the projected stuff and hear about what they're saying, but you never know what will happen during the season with injuries, and how guys play.
"It's basically based on how you play this year, but dwelling on that could take away from how your team is doing, how you're doing."
He's right to be mindful. This season is of paramount importance for the Panthers, and their explosive performance in Saturday's 7-1 thrashing of the Philadelphia Flyers was indicative of that.
Florida has postseason aspirations and a fanbase to recapture, but also essential learning to undertake. The teachers are in place, with 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr helping to bring along his 20- and 22-year-old linemates on the first unit, and 19-year-old Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Aaron Ekblad still under Willie Mitchell's wing and paired with the talented Brian Campbell.
But when individuals grow together, that's when personal progress extends into the standings and lengthens a team's playing schedule - which is what the Panthers, and Bjugstad, are focused on.
"We were close last year. (This) could be the year that we, the younger guys, all (start) to figure it out. Growing together and learning how to play with each other. Learning the mentality that we need to have to make the playoffs," Bjugstad said.
"That's probably the most important aspect that everyone's looking for (out of) this season. I really feel like we're pretty close to it. That's the goal."
Bjugstad, too, still has areas of required study. Now into his fourth season, he says his development is focused primarily on shoring up deficiencies on the defensive end. This season, the pivot will be picking up where he left off last March, when his breakout campaign - and ultimately the Panthers' postseason push - ended upon announcement that he would need season-ending back surgery.
Six months later, Bjugstad is said to be fully healthy and eager to uncover the uncertainties that lie ahead over the next 12 months. For club, and, if all goes to plan, for country.
"I think it could be a great year."
THE TEN
10) Bob Murray: Anaheim's architect locked up another promising young defenseman, Simon Despres, with a manageable long-term extension this week, rendering last season's trade with the Penguins even sillier.
9) Mike Condon: The Canadiens backup, who recorded a 20-save win in his first career start this week, is the next great goaltending story. He made it to the NHL (and made Dustin Tokarski expendable) only after placing a call to an ECHL club on a whim two-and-a-half years ago.
8) New York Rangers: The "contender most likely to fade" has arrived angry at the 2015-16 season, clearly intent on shedding the superlative.
7) Colorado's second line: Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon have set an early fire, combining for five goals and 10 points in two games. The same can't be said for the pointless Matt Duchene.
6) Steven Stamkos: Still with the Lightning, Stamkos collected his 500th point with a go-ahead power-play goal Sunday versus the Bruins.
5) Jeff Blashill: Though it wasn't a fair fight, Blashill earned an all-important win in Mike Babcock's return to Detroit.
4) Mike Smith and the Arizona Coyotes: The only thing more surprising than Arizona's 2-0 start, which featured wins over the Kings and Penguins, was Smith's brilliance.
3) Martin Jones: Jones, though, had the best opening week for a goalie, sweeping away San Jose's California rivals while allowing just a single goal.
2) 3-on-3: More, please. Send it through intravenously.
1) Jack Eichel: Two dazzling goals for the home crowd at First Niagara Center to Connor McDavid's none, in all rinks.
THE TAKES
1) This. Rookie. Class.
We knew it was going to be good, but with Artemi Panarin, Max Domi, Dylan Larkin, Noah Hanifin, Oscar Lindberg, Joonas Donskoi, Mattias Janmark, and Jared McCann supplementing McDavid and Eichel, it appears to be better than we ever imagined.
2) Chicago will be a better regular-season team, but a worse postseason one.
It's early, obviously, but Chicago's offense looks a little more capable than the one that averaged a middling 2.68 goals per game last season. Will they be able to dig in the same come postseason?
3) No Bruins lead is safe.
Between a hot man-advantage and David Krejci's hotter start, there are pluses to note about the Bruins. None of these involve preventing goals, unfortunately.
4) Erik Johnson is worth it, and maybe Francois Beauchemin too?
Colorado's top pairing has enjoyed a tremendous start to the season, tilting the game in the direction of the opponent and capitalizing in the offensive zone when they arrive. They have combined for two goals and six assists through two games.
5) San Jose isn't this good.
But only because they're riding an unsustainable pace. Thought it seems almost paradoxical, the Sharks look young and fresh under Peter DeBoer, who, despite many years of experience, is still working to establish a coaching identity.
6) Columbus isn't this bad.
So much for carrying last season's momentum into the fall. No team had a more catastrophic opening week than the Blue Jackets, who were outscored 13-6 in their three losses. They are too talented not to turn it around.
7) Detroit is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Ken Holland is the one who should be signing $50-million contracts. (I'm willing to look past them being severely outshot; they still beat the Hurricanes on the second night of a back-to-back).
8) Penalties in overtime.
Don't call them, refs. It ruins everything.
9) Henrik and Daniel will score in overtime.
The Sedins won't suffer through too many multiple-overtime stretches without cashing.
10) Sidney Crosby will record a shot on goal Tuesday in Montreal.
Probably.