Dec 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) looks on during a time-out against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

25. Cory Schneider, Goalie, New Jersey Devils

It’s difficult being the goaltender on a struggling team, but Cory Schneider has done his bit this season for the Devils. He only has two shutouts, but he has made 953 saves, the 10th highest figure in the NHL. Despite facing the ninth most shots in the entire NHL, he has still managed to save 90 percent of them and has been unlucky enough to lose seven games in overtime, tied for the second-most in the NHL.

24. Brook Lopez, Center, Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are a disaster of a team, but they do have one player that genuinely gives them a punchers chance (of maybe causing a stir for a few quarters) in Brook Lopez. Despite being the only average to above average player on the team, Lopez has been putting up career numbers — the 20.6 points per game he is averaging are .1 from a career high and is averaging a career-high in assists per game. He also has developed a three-point shot, which was on full display against Miami recently:

However, it isn’t all good for Lopez — he is averaging around five rebounds per game despite playing nearly 30 minutes and has only 2 double-doubles.

If Lopez was on a better team, his efficiency would undoubtedly improve, but for now, to be one of the only competent NBA players on the Nets and still average over 20, is a solid stat line. You have to feel for Lopez and hope that he finds his way to a winning culture sooner rather than later.

23. Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive End, New York Giants

It’s very possible that Jason Pierre-Paul will move on from the Giants this offseason, and it would be quite the shame — the former first rounder has given seven seasons worth of work to this franchise, including a terrific 16.5 sack 2011 season, which was key in leading the Giants to their fourth Super Bowl.

https://youtu.be/DoLypQtPdUs

Obviously, the fireworks incident has put a damper on his career, but JPP came back in fine form, racking up 53 tackles and seven sacks in the 12 games he played, before going down with injury. His performances this season showed that despite missing parts of three fingers, he still can play defensive end at an elite level in the NFL. His play was rewarded at the end of the season when ESPN named him the NFC East’s Comeback Player of the Year.

22. Leonard Williams, Defensive Tackle, New York Jets

The Jets were an unmitigated disaster in 2016, and a large chunk of the blame has to fall on their defense. Stars like Mo Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Darrelle Revis (who would have been near shoe-ins on this list 12 months ago) saw dramatic dips in form.

Former USC Trojan and sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft Leonard Williams had a career year, however. In his sophomore season, had 68 combined tackles, seven sacks, eight stuffs and two forced fumbles. All of those were team highs, and his eight tackles for loss were only bettered by Sheldon Richardson. His stellar season was rewarded by a trip to the Pro Bowl.

The Jets may have to cut some dead weight on the defense this offseason, but Williams looks like a franchise cornerstone on defense moving forward.

21. Jacob deGrom, Starting Pitcher, New York Mets

Jake deGrom didn’t have a back 2016 by any stretch of the imagination. While his 7-8 win-loss record wasn’t terrific, his 3.04 ERA, 143 strikeouts and 1.290 WHIP were very impressive. However, deGrom is relatively low on this list for several reasons.

Firstly, he isn’t the ace of the Mets staff for the time being — he lost that distinction to Noah Syndergaard, who put up Cy Young-worthy numbers this season. Secondly, he failed to replicate his incredible 2015, where he posted a 2.54 ERA with 205 strikeouts and a .979 WHIP. His regression (albeit not a dramatic one) warrants his drop, but deGrom will have every opportunity to bounce back and reestablish himself as a Cy Young contender.

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Staff Writer at Elite Sports New York. Lead Writer at New York Sports Hub and My Weekly Sports. Twitter, instagram: @skylardarel. Avid fan of the Yankees, Knicks, Giants, New York City FC, FC Barcelona, and Arsenal FC. Sophomore at the College of New Jersey, studying Communication. Aspiring play-by-play commentator. Grew up in Manhattan, and proud to know how to work the Subway system.