Trending Up, Trending Down: Valuable Van Riemsdyk, crashing Cammalleri
Each week, theScore looks at the teams, players, and other hockey figures trending upward and taking a step back.
▲ James van Riemsdyk
Save some ink for Van Riemsdyk. While the focus this season in Toronto has been on Auston Matthews and his fellow young stars, a familiar face is now sharing the spotlight.
The Maple Leafs winger has caught fire in recent days, and is currently running an eight-game point streak, a stretch which includes three goals and nine assists. Van Riemsdyk's best performance of the stretch came Jan. 7, collecting three points as he contributed on each of the Maple Leafs' goals against the Montreal Canadiens.
Signed through next season at an affordable $4.25-million salary cap hit, Van Riemsdyk has been a frequent target of trade talk, with speculation that he could be moved if the Maple Leafs desire an upgrade on their blue line. It will be worth following Van Riemsdyk down the stretch as the March 1 trade deadline approaches.
▼ Mike Cammalleri
It's been a rough go in New Jersey for veteran forward Cammalleri. With just 23 points on the year, he's on pace for his worst full-season finish since breaking into the league with the Los Angeles Kings in 2002.
Decline is expected from an aging player, but the 34-year-old winger has hit the skids in recent weeks, with just one point in his last three games and two in his last seven matches. Take that one step further and Cammalleri has just six points in his past 22 performances.
This isn't what the Devils expected from the former triggerman, who, despite being limited to 42 games a year ago, still finished at a near point-per-game pace, as he wrapped the 2015-16 campaign with 38 points. Signed through the next two seasons, the Devils may choose to expose Cammalleri to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
▲ Ryan Getzlaf
The Anaheim Ducks captain wasted little time in making his way onto the scoresheet after missing a four-game swing with a lower-body concern in early January.
Since returning, Getzlaf has put up four points in as many games. As always, the heavy center has been a key contributor in Orange County, as the Ducks have very quietly gone about their business and now stand first in the Pacific Division with 59 points. Since the calendar turned to 2017, the Ducks have lost just once in 60 minutes, posting a 7-1-1 record, which includes three victories in extra time.
On pace for a 64-point campaign, consistency has been the name of the game for Getzlaf, after he finished the past two seasons with 63 and 70 points, respectively.
▼ Sam Gagner
The early goings of Gagner in Columbus showed signs of career rejuvenation.
The former sixth overall pick by the Edmonton Oilers was nearing NHL extinction after short, failed stints with the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers, before landing in Columbus. With the Blue Jackets, Gagner appeared to have found his game, and at a bargain to the team too, as he signed for just $650,000.
Through the first 33 games of the season, Gagner had 28 points, on pace for a career-best 70-point season. But with just one point in his last five outings and only three in his last nine, that number has taken a tumble. Fortunately for Gagner, the Blue Jackets remain the league's best with 64 points, so the opportunity is there for the veteran forward to get his rebound season back on track.