6 NHL Players That Will Likely Disappoint During the 2024-25 Season
The start of every NHL season brings anticipation from fans and pundits for a high level of performance for teams and players. That applies to those who changed teams via trades or free agency during the offseason.
Those players must meet or exceed the level that made them worth adding to the roster. They may have been brought in to improve a club's scoring punch or bolster the defensive depth.
Some of these players could struggle to meet those projections. For some, it will be due to age catching up with them. For others, it could be their physical style starting to extract a toll. Some might find it difficult to adjust to a new style of play or their new teammates.
Here's a look at the six NHL players we anticipate will disappoint during the 2024-25 season. Let us know what you think in the app comments below.
Jake DeBrusk, Vancouver Canucks
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After seven seasons with the Boston Bruins, Jake DeBrusk signed a seven-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks worth an average annual value of $5.5 million.
The deal provided the 27-year-old forward with long-term contract stability after enduring short-term contracts with the Bruins. For the Canucks, they brought in an experienced winger to provide additional scoring punch among their top-two forward lines.
DeBrusk had three seasons with 25 to 27 goals with the Bruins and five seasons between 40 and 50 points. The Canucks could be hoping for DeBrusk to exceed those numbers.
However, the Canucks shouldn't get their hopes up expecting significant improvement on DeBrusk's part. He was a streaky scorer during those years in Boston due partly to injuries and being moved up and down their forward lines. His production remained uneven when given more playing time on the Bruins' scoring lines.
That trend has likely followed DeBrusk to Vancouver. He should still be a solid addition as a two-way player to the Canucks as long as they maintain realistic expectations about his production.
Jeff Skinner, Edmonton Oilers
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Bought out of the final three seasons of his contract by the Buffalo Sabres on June 30, Jeff Skinner inked a one-year deal worth $3 million the following day with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Sabres made this move following a significant drop in the 32-year-old winger's production last season. A year after tallying a career-high 82 points, his production slumped to 46 points in 74 games. They couldn't risk tying up $9 million annually for the next three seasons on a declining asset.
Skinner landed on his feet by signing with the Oilers, who reached the Stanley Cup Final last season. They're betting that the veteran winger will be rejuvenated skating on their second line with superstar center Leon Draisaitl and veteran right wing Viktor Arvidsson.
The opportunity to finally play in the Stanley Cup postseason for the first time in his 15-season NHL career could also motivate Skinner to regain his offensive form. Skating alongside an established superstar like Draisaitl should also provide a big boost to his production.
However, Skinner's offensive decline in 2023-24 could signal that a bounce-back season could be out of the cards regardless of his linemates in Edmonton. He's been in the league since 2010-11 and time could be catching up with him.
Reilly Smith, New York Rangers
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On June 28, 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Reilly Smith from the Vegas Golden Knights. A year later, on July 1, 2024, the Penguins sent the 33-year-old winger to the New York Rangers, retaining $1.25 million of his $5 million cap hit.
Before his trade to the Penguins, Smith was an original member of the Vegas Golden Knights. He's previously had a 20-goal, 50-point season with the Boston Bruins and another with the Florida Panthers. His most consistent and productive seasons were in Vegas, including three 20-plus goal seasons and four 50-plus point campaigns.
Smith helped the Golden Knights win the 2023 Stanley Cup but was traded to the Penguins soon afterward as a cost-cutting measure. Rumors abounded that he was unhappy in Pittsburgh. He denied it but the speculation lingered as he struggled to fit in with his new club.
The Rangers' need to shore up their depth on right wing was the reason behind their acquisition of Smith. He's projected to skate on their second line.
Given Smith's age, however, he's reaching the stage in his career where his skills are declining. He's an affordable gamble at $3.75 million this season but it seems unlikely he can answer their ongoing need for a reliable scoring right wing.
Chandler Stephenson, Seattle Kraken
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Starting his NHL career with the Washington Capitals, Chandler Stephenson became a solid two-way center with the Vegas Golden Knights. He had back-to-back 60-plus points seasons in Vegas in 2021-22 and 2022-23, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Stephenson's offensive numbers dipped last season, dropping to 51 points in 75 games. It didn't hurt his value in this summer's free-agent market, signing a seven-year contract with the Seattle Kraken worth an average annual value of $6.25 million.
It's expected Stephenson will fill the same role of second-line center with the Kraken as he did with the Golden Knights. He'll be reunited with former Capitals teammate Andre Burakovsky while veteran winger Jaden Schwartz will also be on his line.
The Kraken paid a significant amount for Stephenson. However, the decline in his production last season might be an early warning sign that the 30-year-old center's best seasons could be behind him.
That doesn't mean Stephenson isn't a good addition to the Kraken in the short term. Even if his offense declines, he should help their defensive game, especially the penalty kill. However, he's being paid a hefty wage to play a second-line role that includes producing points, something he might not be capable of doing regularly anymore.
Chris Tanev, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Chris Tanev frequently surfaced in last season's NHL trade rumor mill. Several clubs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, were believed to be interested in the veteran defenseman before the Calgary Flames traded him to the Dallas Stars on Feb. 28.
The Leafs finally got their man on July 1, signing the 34-year-old Tanev to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million. The length of the deal raised eyebrows as players at this stage of their careers rarely receive contracts taking them up to age 40 on completion.
An experienced right-shot shutdown defenseman, Tanev will be expected to pair up with Morgan Rielly on the Leafs' top defense pairing.
Tanev is a physical, hard-working player who will play to the best of his ability in every game even when nursing an injury. However, he'll be turning 35 on Dec. 20 and has endured a lot of wear and tear over his 15 NHL seasons.
With Tanev's best seasons behind him, he's at the point in his career where age and his physical style of play will take its toll. He'll continue to give his all but it won't be surprising if his best is no longer at the level it once was. The Leafs could soon have an aging, banged-up blueliner on a long-term deal that proves costly to more than their salary cap over time.
Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings
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After nearly 11 seasons and one Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues, Vladimir Tarasenko bounced from the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers over the last two seasons. The 32-year-old winger helped the Panthers win the Cup last season, tallying nine points in 24 playoff contests.
A five-time 30-plus goal scorer with the Blues, Tarasenko's production has dropped since netting 32 goals and a career-best 82 points in 2021-22. He had a combined 23 goals and 32 assists for 55 points in 76 games split with the Senators and Panthers last season.
That didn't prevent the Detroit Red Wings from signing Tarasenko to a two-year contract on July 3 with an average annual value of $4.75 million.
The Wings expect Tarasenko to provide experienced depth and skill to their second forward line and leadership to their younger players. His declining production since 2021-22 suggests he won't return to the 30-goal plateau again.
Tarasenko should still have enough in the tank to be reasonably productive with the Wings depending on his linemates and usage. At this stage of his career, it wouldn't be surprising if he struggles to reach 20 goals this season.
Salary and trade info via PuckPedia and NHL.com. Roster combinations via The Hockey News.
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