BeardWatch 2015: Which NHL playoff players have growth potential?

(Ed. Note: We're proud to welcome back two of our favorite bloggers, Chuck and Pants from What's Up, Ya Sieve?, to the Puck Daddy fold as they author our weekly NHL Playoff BeardWatch every Thursday.)

By Chuck and Pants from What's Up, Ya Sieve?

Hello Puck Pogonophiles! We’re back!

Today marks the beginning of our favorite time of year.  While we can’t grow our own playoff beards, we annually appreciate the time, dedication and meticulous grooming that goes into creating the perfect facial accouterment.

As is our tradition, throughout this postseason we’ll be bringing you some of the best (and definitely the worst) beards of the NHL Playoffs.

Last year’s Beard of the Year winner (Justin Williams) is out, so 2015 is anyone’s game. To start, meet a few beards to watch that we think could contend for this year’s second most coveted trophy.

Beardwatch 2015: Beards to Watch

Eric Gryba, Ottawa Senators

If you would have told us in February that the Senators would have made the playoffs, we would have seriously questioned your sanity.  But they made it and the only thing crazier is what Eric Gryba’s beard might become if the Sens go far in the playoffs. This series could get wild and wooly and this bear of a beard is going to be right in the middle, claws out, teeth bared.

Robert Bortuzzo, St. Louis Blues

Since we’re talking about bearded guys who get less attention, have you ever heard of Robert Bortuzzo? Pens fan Pants was sad to see this beard depart Pittsburgh before the postseason could canonize it as is rightly deserved. Luckily, Borts’ beard found a good home. It’s charming and subtle, like the first boyfriend you’d bring home to meet your parents. With St. Louis poised to make a Cup run, we are hoping things get serious.

See, beards make people happier.

Drew Stafford, Winnipeg Jets

The Jets are in the playoffs for the first time in a long time, and while they may not win their series but the follicle force is strong is them. Drew Stafford’s beard midi-chlorians looks to be hovering around 20,000.  Will an worthy playoff beard be mysteriously conceived?  We’ve got a good feeling about this…

(from jets.nhl.com)

Patrick Maroon, Anaheim Ducks

Playoff wins fuel the fire that is Patrick Maroon’s beard and since some have picked the Ducks to come out of the Western Conference, the odds are ever in his favor that Maroon and his smoldering stubble could emerge as victor and claim our Beard of the Year honor.

(from ducks.nhl.com)

Brandon Bollig, Calgary Flames

This one’s not exactly “lesser known,” but his beard has unrivaled density and coverage, with nary a weak spot or imperfect edge. How fitting this beard strives for perfection each spring - it’s like left field in the baseball park of our dreams. For 2015, we ask not what this beard can do for Calgary, but what Calgary can do for this beard. If the Flames make it past even the first round, Bollig may finally take home the prize.

Beard on, gentleman. Beard on.

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