FHL TURKEY AWARDS, 2021-22

GM's around the league are gobbling turkey, watching football, chugging beer and falling asleep on the couch. We all know what that means. That's right, it’s time for the 4th annual FHL Turkey Awards.

The FHL Turkey Awards is an annual event that takes place each season (not counting seasons that are preempted by global pandemics) on the American version of Thanksgiving.

The award is presented to three players - one from each position - who have not lived up to their lofty expectations. That is, players taken relatively early in the draft who, as of late November, suck.

The FHL Editorial Department waded through the numbers and arrived at three names; all very much deserving of the award.

Without further adieu, the 2021-22 Turkey Award recipients are...


<drum roll please>




BLAKE WHEELER
In 2018 Blake Wheeler scored 91 points. He scored 91 points again in 2019. Wheeler’s numbers have quieted since, but his totals have remained solid - the lanky veteran netting 46 points in 50 games last season. Playing with budding superstars Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor - on a high-scoring Winnipeg team - surely would keep the veteran at the top of his game. That’s what the Lumberjacks were thinking when they selected Wheeler in the 2nd round of the draft. Six weeks into the season, Blake Wheeler’s wheels have either seized, or possibly - given that he is 35 years-old - fallen completely off the wagon. Through the first 14 games of the season, Wheeler has no goals and five assists. Early round draft busts are typically benched or traded. Not so in this case as Wheeler was sent packing in Week 6 - the 2nd round draft pick shown the door by a disgruntled GM Recoskie; the Lumberjacks quest for the FHL Cup taking a huge hit with this draft day misfire.

DISHONORABLE MENTION
Mark Scheifele, drafted 26th overall (13GP, 2G, 5A, 7PTS)
Mitchell Marner, drafted 18th overall (21GP, 6G, 11A, 17PTS)




JEFF PETRY
When you’re asked to name elite offensive defenseman, the name “Jeff Petry” rarely, if ever, comes to mind. With Jeff Petry you’re mostly thinking “I know that dude, his dad pitched for the Detroit Tigers.” Despite the elite level disconnect, Petry has in fact posted elite numbers. Last year the 33-year-old tallied 12 goals and 30 assists (42 points) in just 55 games. Over the course of a full 82 game season, that’s 18 goals and 63 points. The Misconducts were hoping for the same or better when they acquired Petry with the 19th pick in the 2nd round. What they got with the pick was the son of a guy who used to pitch for the Detroit Tigers, and nothing else. Twenty-one games into the season, Petry has recorded no goals and two assists. The 10th defenseman taken in the draft, Petry is currently ranked 154th among all NHL blueliners. How are those numbers playing out? The Misconducts are buried near the bottom of the overall standings - the team struggling thanks in large part to the uninspired and hugely disappointing play of Jeff Petry.

DISHONORABLE MENTION
Jakob Chychrun, drafted in the 2nd round (20GP, 2G, 4A, 6PTS)
Thomas Chabot, drafted in the 3rd round (17GP, 0G, 8A, 8PTS)




CONNOR HELLEBUYCK
Aw, come on, how can Connor Hellebuyck win an FHL Turkey Award? He plays practically every game for the Winnipeg Jets. He hasn’t been great but he has won six games. Not awful. That all may be true but Hellebuyck was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 1st round of the draft. When you spend a fistful of first round dollars on a player, you expect first round numbers - especially when you’re passing on tried-and-true superstars like Patrick Kane, Alexander Ovechkin and Victor Hedman, to grab a goalie. Hellebuyck’s save percentage is a commendable .921, so his troubles may be directly tied to the performance of his team. That bodes well for the future but it’s not helping now as the FHL doesn’t award points for save percentage. The league rewards points for wins, and Hellebuyck’s six victories ranks him 17th among all NHL goalies. The Cherry Pickers have performed well despite Hellebuyck's lackluster play, but that doesn't preclude the 1st round draft pick from being handed an FHL Turkey.

DISHONORABLE MENTION
Linus Ullmark, drafted in the 4th round (4W, 3L, 2.87 GAA, .908 SV%)
Philipp Grubauer, drafted in the 4th round (6W, 8L, 3.03 GAA, .890 SV%)


PAST WINNERS
2019-20
Johnny Gaudreau
P.K. Subban
Pekka Rinne
2018-19
Anze Kopitar
Erik Karlsson
Matt Murray
2017-18
Joe Pavelski
Brent Burns
Carey Price