The 5 Washington Capitals Most Likely to Disappoint in 2013-14 Season

Washington Capitals players must work hard to maintain their production and performance from season to season.

Inevitably, some Capitals players are unable to do so, disappointing their teammates, coaches, general manager, owner and ultimately the Capitals' fanbase in the process.

Here is a list of the five Washington Capitals most likely to disappoint in the 2013-14 season.

Note: All statistics courtesy of NHL.com unless noted otherwise.

5. Steve Oleksy, D

Steve Oleksy will fall victim to the dreaded "sophomore slump" in 2013-14.

Assuming he is healthy for the entire season, Oleksy would play 82 games at the NHL level. That is nearly three times the number of games he played for the Capitals during the 2012-13 season after making his NHL debut on March 5 against the Boston Bruins.

The grind of an entire season will wear on the 27-year-old, taking even more of a mental toll than a physical toll.

The knowledge and experience Oleksy gains in the process will be invaluable, but he and the team will have to endure his growing pains along the way.

4. Jason Chimera, LW

No worries, Washington: Jason Chimera will not have a repeat of the 2012-13 season.

Chimera scored only three goals with 11 assists for a total of 14 points last season. The 34-year-old had a goal and two assists in seven playoff games.

Over the course of an 82-game season, Chimera's 2012-13 averages project to five goals, 19 assists and 24 points. That would represent Chimera's lowest goal output in a full season since 2003-04 and his lowest point total in a full season since 2008-09.

However, Chimera won't have a repeat of the 2011-12 season either, when he scored 20 goals with 19 points for a total of 39 points. All three represented career highs.

Chimera has set high standards for himself, and he will not meet them in 2013-14.

3. Martin Erat, RW

The 2013-14 season represents the best chance for Martin Erat to show the Capitals' fanbase just how good he can be.

But if his brief time in Washington is any indication, Caps fans should not get their hopes up.

Erat played in only nine regular-season games after arriving in Washington via trade, suffering an injury on April 6 against the Florida Panthers in only his second game as a Capital. He was forced to miss three games on the Capitals' regular-season schedule.

In the postseason, it was more of the same. Erat was knocked out of Game 4 and missed the rest of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the New York Rangers.

Even when he did play, Erat did not produce. The native of the Czech Republic had one goal and two assists in his nine regular-season games with the Caps and no points in his four postseason games.

In all fairness to Martin Erat, it may prove nearly impossible for him to ever live up to the expectations of Capitals fans. Unfortunately, that is the price he must pay for joining the Capitals at the trade deadline in exchange for a prized prospect such as Filip Forsberg.

2. Braden Holtby, G

Braden Holtby had a pretty good season in 2012-13. Expect a repeat performance in 2013-14. 

Last season, the 23-year-old played in 36 games and compiled a 23-12-1 record. He finished with a .920 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average. Holtby's four shutouts were tied for sixth in the NHL. 

But "pretty good" is not good enough for the franchise's No. 1 goaltending prospect, according to Hockey Prospectus.

Holtby must play with more consistency, cut down on his mental mistakes and save his best for the postseason. Until he does all three, he will be considered a disappointment.

1. Troy Brouwer, RW

Troy Brouwer had a career year in 2012-13.

Brouwer scored 19 goals and had 14 assists for 33 points. His averages would equate to 33 goals, 25 assists and 58 points in an 82-game season (Hockey-Reference.com). All three numbers would be career highs.

But Troy will fall short of those levels in 2013-14. Unfortunately for Brouwer, the biggest factor in causing him to be a disappointment next season will have nothing to do with him.

Mike Ribeiro's dominant 2012-13 season benefited no single Capitals player more than Troy Brouwer. If the Capitals do not re-sign Ribeiro, his absence during the 2013-14 season will hinder no single Capitals player more than Troy Brouwer.