Ranking the Biggest Disappointments so Far in the 2014-15 NHL Season

The 2014-15 NHL season is a few weeks old, and there have already been many unexpected surprises. These surprises include—but are not limited to—the surging play of the New York Islanders' Brock Nelson, the Los Angeles Kings' "That 70s Line" and the hot start of wingers Rick Nash and Corey Perry, formerly of the OHL's London Knights.

However, there are players who have disappointed based on what they did last season, or what they were acquired to do this season. Everyone looks at failure in different ways, and that is simply human nature.

From my perspective I have been disappointed by the following players, and they are ranked in order based on my level of anguish towards their play thus far in 2014-15. 

This is just my list, but if you have other players you think should be included, feel free to add them in the comments below.

12. Marian Gaborik, Los Angeles Kings

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Expectations Heading Into Season: There was no better scorer in the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, and it is surprising that Marian Gaborik did not win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

His tying goal in the Western Conference Final gave the Los Angeles Kings new life against the Chicago Blackhawks, and it was assumed that he would continue to thrive in a setting where he didn’t have to be an “A-lister.”

2014-15 To Date: Three games played, one assist

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Gaborik has been a disappointment thus far because he has been sidelined with an injury. It isn’t his fault, but it is a disappointment that he isn't able to play, and make the magic he does.

He should have no problem scoring 20 goals and tallying 50 points if he can get back into the lineup and stay healthy, but that remains a huge "if" for him and the Kings. The team realized the risk when they signed him to a long-term deal, and this is something that has been a part of Gaborik's career over the last few years.

11. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

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Expectations Heading Into Season: Nathan MacKinnon had an amazing rookie season with the Colorado Avalanche, and it was expected that he would avoid a sophomore slump, and potentially lead the Avs in scoring.

2014-15 To Date: 11 games played, two goals

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: MacKinnon finally scored his first two goals of the season during a win vs. the New York Islanders after a very slow start.

He has looked a lot better offensively over the last few games, partially because he is starting to get some more power-play time. Despite his slow start, something about him has just looked different. The former No. 1 draft pick still can kick it to a higher gear, and if he does he could finish with close to 70 points.

10. Brad Richards, Chicago Blackhawks

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Expectations Heading Into Season:  Contractual issues with cap recapture pushed Brad Richards out of New York, and he signed with Chicago to replace Michal Handzus as the ‘Hawks No. 2 center.

Based on lines in training camp, it was assumed that he would have a renaissance playing alongside Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad.

2014-15 To Date: 10 games, zero goals and four assists

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Richards hasn’t looked good with Chicago early on, but there’s time for him to rebound. He is no longer taking regular line rushes with Kane or Saad, so it remains to be seen how well he will produce for Chicago.

Optimistically, he should be able to put up 40 points, and that would be awesome for Chicago since they are only paying Richards $2 million.

His regression has been somewhat expected, but it was disappointing to see the Kane, Richards and Saad trio break up so soon.

9. Martin St. Louis, New York Rangers

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Expectations Heading Into Season:  Despite the fact that he turned 39, it was expected that St. Louis would be able to bring the New York Rangers some elite offensive production.

2014-15 To Date: Nine games, one goal and five assists

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: St. Louis’ production hasn’t been bad, as six points in nine games is nothing to sneeze at. However, his one goal is a bit alarming, as he scored only one goal during his 19 regular season games with the Rangers last season.

Look for St. Louis to pick up the scoring rate now that he is back on the wing, and it is safe to pencil him in for around 60 points for the entire season.

8. Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers

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McDonagh's reaction to being placed on this list.

Expectations Heading Into Season:  The 2013-14 NHL campaign was Ryan McDonagh's best season of his young career to date, as he tallied 43 points. It was expected that he would continue to grow this season, and he would have a chance to lead the blue line in scoring.

2014-15 To Date: Nine games, three points

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: McDonagh has had a rough start to the season. He hasn’t looked like the elite defender he was during last year’s playoffs, and despite taking 22 shots, he has zero goals to his name.

The lack of depth on the blue line, particularly Dan Boyle, has hurt his offensive game, but look for McDonagh to rebound. With Boyle almost back to full health, look for McDonagh to get back to his old self and put himself in a position to tally 40 points once again for the Blueshirts.

7. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins

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Expectations Heading Into Season: Tuukka Rask won the Vezina Trophy last season as the NHL’s top goaltender. He had his best season in his young career to date, and it was expected that 2014-15 would be another year for Rask to show why he should be considered one of the NHL’s top goaltenders.

2014-15 To Date: 4-4-0, .899 save percentage, 2.81 goals-against average

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Rask’s numbers this year have been poor, and it has come at a time in which Bruins’ defenders are dropping like flies. He has an even record, and it is interesting that his numbers are out of whack.

It has long been insinuated by fans that Rask has been a product of Boston’s defensive system, and this could be a year in which he proves that he is good on his own merits. I feel that Rask can rebound, but he won’t put up numbers similar to his 2013-14 Vezina Trophy season.

6. Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders

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Expectations Heading Into Season: Between the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues, Jaroslav Halak posted a 29-13-7 record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average.

It was expected that he could be one of the final pieces to make the New York Islanders a serious contender, because goaltending was the area they struggled mightily with.

2014-15 To Date: 3-3-0, .891 save percentage, 3.51 goals-against average

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Jaroslav Halak currently has some of the worst numbers in his NHL career to date. He has been a bizarre netminder for the Isles, as he’s been on one night and off the next.

The Isles’ defense and offense has shown some growth this season, so there’s still time for him to right the ship. Look for Halak to get to the 25- to 30-win mark, and finish with a 2.30-2.50 goals-against and a .917-.922 save percentage.

5. Matt Niskanen, Washington Capitals

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Expectations Heading Into Season: Matt Niskanen signed a mega contract with the Washington Capitals during free agency, and many thought that he would be able to have success playing with offensive weapons like Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom

2014-15 To Date: Nine games, three assists

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Niskanen capitalized last season when Kris Letang was out of the lineup. He tallied 46 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, and it was his best offensive season since 2008-09, when he was a 22-year-old with the Dallas Stars.

Niskanen is not a consistent 45-plus point defender, and expect him to finish with around 30 points when 2014-15 is all said and done.

4. Anton Khudobin

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Expectations Heading Into Season:  Last season Anton Khudobin took a stranglehold of the Carolina Hurricanes’ goal crease. He posted a 19-14-1 record in 36 games and recorded a 2.30 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage.

2014-15 To Date: Four games, 0-3-1 record, .891 save percentage, 3.24 goals-against average

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Khudobin’s play in net last season suggested that he could be the man to help lead the Hurricanes back to the playoffs, but the opposite has been true thus far.  The Hurricanes have been pretty bad so far, and there is nothing to suggest that Khudobin will be able to replicate his play from last season.

3. David Perron, Edmonton Oilers

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Expectations Heading Into Season:  There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Edmonton Oilers’ David Perron heading into the 2014-15 tilt. Perron had the best season of his career in 2013-14, as he tallied 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points

2014-15 To Date: 10 games, zero goals

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Perron’s lack of goalscoring is a bit alarming. He has taken 20 shots thus far, yet he has been unable to find the back of the net.

He is a very dynamic offensive player who should be a solid contributor once he gets going, and he should be counted on for at least 20 goals this season. His slow start doesn't help, but he is a winger who can score in bunches.

Perron could push for 30, but he will have to get on a hot streak in order to surpass his total from last season.

2. Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

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Expectations Heading Into Season:  Mikko Koivu was limited to 65 games last season, but he found a way to put up 54 points, including 43 assists. It was expected that a healthy Koivu would produce with talented linemates in 2014-15.

2014-15 To Date: Nine games, two goals

Outlook For Rest of 2014-15: Koivu was dropped from the first line with linemates Zach Parise and Jason Pominville, and he is currently playing with Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker. Coyle is a decent offensive winger with upside, whereas Zucker is currently having one of the best seasons of his young career.

Unless Koivu can get going offensively, or he is bumped back up to the top line, don’t expect him to match his point total from 2013-14. Koivu is playing a solid defensive game thus far, but he needs to get his offensive game going soon.

1. Thomas Vanek, Minnesota Wild

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Expectations Heading Into Season: Heading into this season, it was expected that Thomas Vanek would have one of his best statistical seasons to date. He was joining a very deep Minnesota Wild team that would mesh up with his skill set, and he would have a chance to score 40 goals.

2014-15 To Date: Nine games, zero goals

Outlook for Rest of 2014-15: Vanek will eventually get his game going for the Wild. He is too talented to have a down season, and he should be able to rebound and finish with close to 30 goals this season. However, if Vanek is indicted in connection with off-ice gambling troubles, broken by the Democrat and Chronicle, he could have an issue.

All stats via NHL.com unless noted.