As the regular season hits the quarter mark this week, a few early season surprises are starting to look like the real deal.
No one expected Phil Kessel, the Toronto Maple Leafs winger, to be leading the league in points. But the Leafs sniper is more than capable of continuing his goal-scoring form and a Rocket Richard Trophy for the most points for the season is within his grasp. Kessel has always been streaky and maybe this is just an extended hot stretch, but he is in his sixth NHL season and maturing as a player.
He should be able to be more consistent, especially since he has more support of his dangerous linemates Joffrey Lupul and - when healthy - Tim Connolly, the centre.
Kessel is not the only player who is threatening to turn a hot start into a season-long breakout.
Buffalo's Thomas Vanek, Philadelphia's Claude Giroux, Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar and the Sabres' Jason Pominville are right behind Kessel in the scoring race. And while they are all good young players of some repute, no one expected them to reside in the NHL's top 10 in point production.
The most impressive play might be that of Giroux, a two-way talent who is capable of scoring 40 goals while killing penalties and going up against opponents' top lines.
The challenge for these players is to do it for six months, plus the play-offs. In the meantime, it is refreshing to see new faces pick up the slack while Sidney Crosby is sidelined and Alex Ovechkin tries to rediscover his superstar gear.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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