Brian Gibbons needs to be up there with the surprises of the 2016-17 season. Speaking to experts prior to the season, some may not be so surprised if you told them the New Jersey Devils were in the position they are right now. They would guess that Cory Schneider returned to form and carried the Devils into playoff contention. Experts would guess that Taylor Hall finally found his fit, and became the superstar we all knew he could be. Having the first overall pick in Nico Hischier also helps raise a team up to a higher potential.
Gibbons season, however, nobody was even guessing he could be what he has been this season.