3 players who have transformed their roles this season

Finding the right role for every player is imperative to success in today's NHL. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery or a bump in the lineup for players to reach newfound heights. Here are three players who have managed to transform their roles successfully so far in 2018-19.

Elias Lindholm, Calgary Flames

A new team and role have done wonders for Lindholm. The 2013 fifth-overall pick spent five seasons trying to find offensive consistency as a center with the Carolina Hurricanes, but has soared to new heights through his first campaign as a winger with the Flames.

The 23-year-old has had the luxury of playing alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, one of the league's most dynamic duos. Still, Lindholm has made the most of his fresh start, already establishing a new career-high with 17 goals while also on pace for 86 points, which would nearly double his previous best total.

Bo Horvat, Vancouver CanucksJeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty

Horvat has elevated his role to become new the leader of the up-and-coming Canucks in the post-Sedin era. He may not be as flashy or gain as much attention as younger dynamos Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, but Horvat has evolved from a promising young player to a polished two-way pivot.

Simply put, he's been the Canucks' workhorse. He starts more than 60 percent of shifts in the defensive zone, yet is on pace for a career-best offensive season with 17 goals and 17 assists through 39 games. In addition, Horvat ranks 10th among all NHL centers in averaging 20:47 per contest, and has won 53.8 percent of draws in his breakout campaign.

Tomas Tatar, Montreal CanadiensMinas Panagiotakis / Getty Images Sport / Getty

After multiple healthy scratches in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs and being traded twice in the span of seven months, Tatar has finally settled down and found some success in his new role with the Canadiens.

A change of scenery has allowed him to transform his role from an underused bottom-six winger in Vegas to a prominent contributor in the Habs' attack. Tatar's 26 points this season leaves him just 10 shy of his entire total from last season with 45 games to go, and his hot start has helped ease Montreal's transition from a much-publicized split with the man he was traded for - Max Pacioretty.

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