The Most Disappointing Players on the Toronto Maple Leafs so Far in 2014-15

The Toronto Maple Leafs have given fans a lot to cheer about after two months of the 2014-15 season. The team has played very well recently and holds one of the two Eastern Conference wild-card spots.

Yet there have been some disappointing individual performances. Though Phil Kessel, Leo Komarov and Cody Franson have burst out of the gates, the same cannot be said for some teammates.

Let's take a look at the most disappointing Leafs at this point in the 2014-15 season.

Nazem Kadri, Centre

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Nazem Kadri has been showing signs of finding his offensive game recently. He was one of the Leafs' best players against the Dallas Stars earlier this week. His three-point effort went a long way in securing the win.

But six goals and 14 points in 24 games has to be considered a disappointment. Without question, the loss of Joffrey Lupul to injury—and the fact that last year's frequent linemate Mason Raymond is now in Calgary—has to be considered.

But Kadri is too talented not to make players around him better. He's had five points in his last three games. That kind of production in longer stretches will get him off of lists like this one.

Joffrey Lupul, Winger

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The Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native has been reasonably productive when healthy this year. As in so many other years, he has not been healthy for much of the season. That aspect of his current campaign makes him a disappointment in 2014-15.

Lupul has missed half of the current season in playing just 12 games. His plus/minus number is even and he has five goals in those 12 games, but the club needs much more from him.

Lupul has displayed good chemistry with Nazem Kadri.

If those two can continue to mesh with winger Mike Santorelli, the Leafs are going to be that much more difficult to contain. A strong second offensive can only help the team's cause.

James Reimer, Goaltender

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James Reimer has been wildly inconsistent in 2014-15. He's looked very good at times, but he has allowed 12 goals in his last two appearances against Nashville and Buffalo in November.

He posted a .760 save percentage against Nashville and an .829 percentage against Buffalo. No team can win with that kind of goaltending.

Four wins and an .898 save percentage in early December qualifies Reimer as a major disappointment. His goals-against average of 3.64 belongs in the high-flying 1980s, not in the present.

Don't expect Reimer to get much time in goal with Jonathan Bernier playing much better recently.

Jake Gardiner, Defenceman

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Jake Gardiner has the kind of talent that all NHL teams are seeking. He's bright, a great skater and can play a physical brand of hockey along the wall. Most importantly, he is an excellent puck-mover who can play in all three zones.

Gardiner's play has been something much less than this high ceiling. Gardiner was a healthy scratch at the beginning of the season. He has just one goal in 22 games.

He's minus-10 in plus/minus, and his shot percentage is under four. He's struggled, and he's been unlucky—that's a debilitating combination.

The Leafs could really use Gardiner at his best. As fans and observers know well, Gardiner has all of the tools to be a top-pairing NHL defender.

All stats can be found on NHL.com unless noted otherwise.