Notable NHL Players off to Surprisingly Slow Starts in 2016-17
Though it's early in the 2016-17 NHL season, several players are off to surprisingly slow starts. Among them are such notables as Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
Several factors could explain why these players aren't performing at the levels expected of them. Some are playing for new teams and need time to adjust. A few have different linemates to start this season. One of them could be feeling the effects of offseason surgery.
Here's a look at some NHL players off to surprisingly slow starts to this season. Feel free to express your views on this topic in the comments section below.
Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs
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In need of an experienced starting goaltender, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Frederik Andersen in a June 20 trade with the Anaheim Ducks. Entering the Leafs' Oct. 22 game against the Chicago Blackhawks, the 27-year-old is off to a shaky start with his new club. Andersen has won only one of his first three games, posting a 3.61 goals-against average and an .876 save percentage.
During his prior three seasons with the Ducks, Andersen put up better season-opening numbers. He won his first three October starts in 2013-14, giving up only four goals. He won his first six games in October 2014 and gave up only six goals in his first four games last season.
Andersen is now on a rebuilding Leafs team whose blue-line depth isn't as strong as the Ducks. He could need more time to adjust to his new surroundings.
Keith Yandle, Florida Panthers
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In his first four games with the Florida Panthers, defenseman Keith Yandle is tied with rising star Aaron Ekblad for the team lead in blocked shots (five) and is second in time on ice (24 minutes and two seconds) per game). However, the 30-year-old has managed only one assist.
A smooth-skating, puck-moving blueliner, Yandle has six seasons with 40-plus points on his resume. Entering the Panthers' Oct. 22 tilt against the Colorado Avalanche, his average ice time is considerably higher than the 19:57 he averaged last season with the New York Rangers.
Yandle could be adjusting to his new teammates and a heavier workload. Given his skills and the Panthers' scoring depth, it's only a matter of time until his offensive numbers improve.
Brian Elliott, Calgary Flames
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Hoping to improve on last season's league-worst 3.13 goals-against average, the Calgary Flames acquired Brian Elliott in a June 24 trade with the St. Louis Blues. Entering the Flames' Oct. 22 matchup against his former team, the 31-year-old has yet to win his first game of the season. He sports a bloated 4.72 goals-against average and an .839 save percentage.
Those stats are well off Elliott's career 2.42 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. He enjoyed five solid seasons with the Blues, backstopping them last spring to the Western Conference Final. As the Flames starter, a much better effort was expected from him to open this season.
Elliott could be going through a transition stage with his new club. Considering his numbers during his tenure with the Blues, he should regain his form in the near future. Elliott's eligibility for unrestricted free agency next July should also provide additional motivation to improve in his contract year.
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James Neal, Nashville Predators
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Left wing James Neal is among the Nashville Predators' skilled scoring forwards. This season, however, he's off to an uncharacteristic slow start. In his first four games, the 29-year-old tallied only one assist.
A physical, offensive winger, the 6'2", 221-pound Neal is a reliable scoring presence. Though sometimes sidelined by injury, since 2009-10, he's netted 20 or more goals eight times with the Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars. He's also reached 50-plus points four times.
An early-season shuffling of linemates could account for Neal's low production. He began 2016-17 with Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson. In the Predators' 5-3 loss on Oct. 21 to the Detroit Red Wings, the Tennessean's Adam Vingan observed Neal played alongside Ryan Johansen and Calle Jarnkrok.
Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
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In his first game of 2016-17, Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk collected a goal and two assists in his club's 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. In his following four games, however, the 27-year-old was held off the scoresheet.
A superb puck-handling blueliner, Shattenkirk exceeded 40 points in five of the last six NHL seasons. Eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, he can bolster his value with another strong offensive performance this season.
Entering the Blues' Oct. 22 game against the Calgary Flames, Shattenkirk's time on ice per game (19:22) is lower than the 22:33 he averaged last season. That could account for why his scoring has dried up since his opening-night performance. Given Shattenkirk's offensive skills, it shouldn't take long for his production to improve.
David Krejci, Boston Bruins
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Center David Krejci is among the Boston Bruins' most reliable offensive players. Since 2008-09, the playmaking center has five seasons with 60-plus points. Entering the Bruins' Oct. 22 matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, the 30-year-old Krejci has only one assist in four games.
Having endured offseason hip surgery, Krejci could still be feeling its lingering effects. He's also had different linemates early in this campaign. Youngsters Danton Heinen and Ryan Spooner have spent some time as Krejci's wingers. Free-agent acquisition David Backes recently moved to his right wing.
Krejci could need several more games to get back into playing shape and establish his potential linemates for the remainder of the season. He should regain his offensive form in the near future.
Andrew Ladd, New York Islanders
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Signed as an unrestricted free agent, left wing Andrew Ladd was expected to provide experienced depth to the New York Islanders' scoring lines. But after his opening five games with his new club, the 30-year-old is still searching for his first point of the season.
The 6'3", 200-pound Ladd garnered a reputation as a reliable, physical forward and leader as captain of the Winnipeg Jets. Since 2010-11, he's never had a season with fewer than 46 points. Joining the Islanders, he was seen as a solid complementary left winger for first-line center John Tavares.
Considering the Isles invested $38.5 million over seven seasons in Ladd, they probably expected a better start from him this season. He could need a little time to adjust to his new team. It's also worth noting, that he got off to slow starts in 2011-12 and 2014-15 before regaining his scoring touch.
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
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Five games into 2016-17, Jonathan Toews is not among the Blackhawks' leading scorers. After tallying an assist in Chicago's Oct. 12 season-opening 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues, the 28-year-old center went scoreless in his next three games. He picked up another assist in a 3-2 loss on Oct. 21 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In Toews' previous nine NHL campaigns, the only time he tallied fewer than 54 points was his 48-point effort in 46 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. The Blackhawks captain only had two points in his first five games last season. However, he got off to better starts in 2014-15 (five points in five games), 2013-14 (four points) and 2012-13 (five points).
It's worth mentioning that Toews has skated with different linemates this season. Still, other aspects of his game remain strong. Entering the Blackhawks' Oct. 22 game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he leads the club in faceoff percentage (57.4) and is among the team leaders in shots (14) and time on ice per game (20:30). As the season progresses, Toews' offensive game should improve.
Player stats via NHL.com.
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