NHL Stars Off to Surprisingly Poor Starts in the 2014-15 Season

A month into this NHL season, several stars are off to surprisingly slow starts. Poor early performances by depth players can be overlooked, but it's a different story when stars fail to play up to expectations.

For the players on this list, various factors account for their early-season woes. A few are coming off a short offseason following a long playoff run. Some are trying to cope with new linemates, new teams or both. Age and style of play can also take their toll.

Here's a look at 10 NHL stars off to surprisingly poor starts this season. Rookies and sophomore players have not been included in this ranking.

10. T.J. Oshie, St. Louis Blues

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Blessed with slick offensive skills, St. Louis Blues winger T.J. Oshie enjoyed career highs last season in goals (21), assists (39) and points (61). He's currently sidelined by a concussion, but prior to his injury, Oshie struggled to find the back of the net. 

In eight games leading up to his concussion, the 27-year-old managed only one assist. That was well below his start to last season, when he collected seven points in eight games. If not for his injury, Oshie might be higher on this list at that rate of production.

In an October 22 interview with NHL.com's Chris Pinkert, Oshie said he was unconcerned about his start, believing it was only a matter of time before the pucks started going in. The Blues will hope that's the case when he's cleared to return to action.

9. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

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New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is off to a shaky start this season. He got the hook after giving up six goals on 24 shots in a 6-3 home-opening loss on October 12 to the Toronto Maple Leafs and then subsequently dropped a 6-3 decision on October 14 to the New York Islanders.

Though Lundqvist sported a 6-3-1 record in 10 games, his save percentage was .920 or better in only four games. The 32-year-old's overall save percentage was a woeful .901, while his goals-against average (2.86) was well above his career average of 2.27.

Like his teammates, Lundqvist appears to be suffering a bit of a Stanley Cup Final hangover. Injuries to his defense corps is another contributing factor. It's worth noting Lundqvist also struggled early last season but finished with 33 wins, a 2.36 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.

8. Brad Richards, Chicago Blackhawks

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After being bought out in June by the New York Rangers, center Brad Richards signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. On July 17, NHL.com's Brian Hedger reported Richards was expected to fill the second-line center role with the Blackhawks. Unfortunately, he's had a difficult transition with his new club.

Through 14 games, the 34-year-old center has tallied two goals and five assists for seven points. At that rate he's on pace for roughly 40 points over an 82-game schedule. The Chicago Sun-Times' Mark Lazerus reports Richards was relegated to the third line with a rotating cast of linemates while seeing limited ice time.

Lazerus speculates Richards is struggling to adjust to a new system and teammates, as well as dealing with fatherhood for the first time. It remains to be seen if he'll become more comfortable with the Blackhawks.

7. Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils

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The New Jersey Devils' all-time leading scorer, Patrik Elias is poised to reach 400 career goals, 600 assists and 1,000 points. However, the longtime Devils star is currently struggling to score.

Through 14 games, Elias has tallied only seven points, with his only goal coming in the season opener. He told NJ.com's Rich Chere he felt great physically but voiced frustration over his scoring woes. Elias also refused to blame his struggles on the absence of injured linemate Martin Havlat.

Chere believes the 38-year-old isn't over the hill, citing his 53 points in only 65 games last season, his playmaking skills and ability to play center or left wing. He also noted Elias went through a 12-game slump at one point last season. Time will tell if Chere's assessment is correct.

6. Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes

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As per TSN.ca, over the past two seasons Arizona Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith was hampered by injuries. Entering this season, Smith assured The Arizona Republic's Sarah McLellan he felt “really good about where I'm at right now.”

Smith may be healthy, but he struggled through his early-October performances. Through 11 games, the 32-year-old netminder sported a 4-7-0 record, with a woeful save percentage of .897 and a bloated 3.22 goals-against average.

For the Coyotes to have a shot at a playoff berth, they need more consistency from Smith. On October 20, Smith told McLellan he accepted full responsibility for his subpar play and pledged to improve. He's been true to his vow, as his save percentage in six of his past eight games has been .923 or higher. 

5. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche

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A sputtering offense is partially to blame for the Colorado Avalanche's poor start. They currently rank among the league's worst in goals per game and power-play percentage. Among the Avs struggling in the early going is captain Gabriel Landeskog.

Having enjoyed a 26-goal, 65-point performance in 2013-14, this season Landeskog managed only six points (four goals, two assists) through 16 games. That's well off the 14 points he collected over the same period last season.

Following consecutive season-opening shutout losses to the Minnesota Wild, Landeskog told The Denver Post's Mike Chambers he and his teammates weren't paying the price to score and were trying to be too fancy. Approaching mid-November, it appears Landeskog and his teammates are still struggling with that problem.

4. Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

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Mikko Koivu has been a consistent offensive player during his career with the Minnesota Wild. Even when hampered by injuries, he usually finishes each season among their leading scorers. That's why it's surprising that's he's not among their top 10 scorers so far this season.

Through 13 games, the 31-year-old has tallied only two goals and one assist. Though he leads all Wild forwards in ice time and ranks among their leaders in shots, Koivu can't seem to cash in on his scoring opportunities.

Koivu began this season playing alongside winger Thomas Vanek, but they failed to click offensively. He's now playing with young wingers Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker. So far, however, Koivu's production remains stalled.

3. Matt Moulson, Buffalo Sabres

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A three-time 30-goal scorer with the New York Islanders, Moulson collected 23 goals and 51 points among three teams last season. One of them was the Buffalo Sabres, with whom he potted 11 goals and 29 points in 44 games.

Moulson's performance evidently impressed Sabres management, as they brought him back via free agency on a five-year, $25 million contract. After 16 games this season, however, the 31-year-old left winger has managed only three points and didn't score his first goal until his 15th game.

The Buffalo News' Bucky Gleason recently noted the offensive struggles of Moulson and teammate Brian Gionta. Moulson admitted it's become a mental struggle to score. Gleason expects Moulson and Gionta will cash in eventually. If their scoring droughts continue, however, he suggests their contracts could be expensive mistakes. 

2. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings

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Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown has a reputation as a strong all-around forward with solid offensive instincts. He's scored 22 or more goals and 53 or more points five times in his career. This season, however, Brown is mired in a scoring slump. 

Through 15 games, the 30-year-old right wing scored only twice and had yet to collect his first assist. Brown had a similar slow start last season, which was attributed to his offseason recuperation from a knee injury.

Brown is healthy this season, so other factors could be behind his slump. The Kings seem to be struggling through a Stanley Cup hangover—the result of a long playoff run followed by a too-short offseason. Several of Brown's teammates have been sidelined by injury. Still, the fact his 2013-14 scoring woes have carried over into the start of this season could be a troubling sign of decline. 

1. Ales Hemsky, Dallas Stars

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Despite being hampered by injuries throughout his NHL career, winger Ales Hemsky when healthy is a skilled playmaker. Dealt late last season to the Ottawa Senators, Hemsky quickly clicked with center Jason Spezza, collecting 17 points in 20 games. When the Stars acquired Spezza from the Senators via trade on July 1, they also signed Hemsky as a free agent.

Though Hemsky has been healthy so far, his offensive numbers are sickly. Through 14 games he has managed only one assist. One possibility for his poor numbers is Hemsky and Spezza saw limited playing time together, as coach Lindy Ruff used Spezza with young stars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn for a number of games.

Ruff will soon have to do something to help the 31-year-old right wing get back on track. The Dallas Morning News' Mike Heika reports Spezza and Hemsky could be reunited, or perhaps the latter could play on the first line with Seguin and Benn.