Drawing up the All-Improved NHL Team for the 2015-16 season starts with a single line. The best at each position based on an upward trend that has skyrocketed—at least by relative standards—are listed here along with a nomination for the second and third lines of this fictional squad.
It's anchored by a pair of goaltenders enjoying their first 50-game seasons.
We're not looking at veterans having bounce-back seasons from poor performances a year ago, or total anomalies expected to fall back to their career averages next season. This list is for the (relatively) young and still growing player who has made a dramatic jump forward in his development.