Fading NHL Stars Trying to Rebound with New Teams in 2015-16

With NHL training camps now underway, several players who changed teams this summer via trade or free agency will seek bounce-back performances in the coming season.

Some, like Los Angeles Kings winger Milan Lucic, hope a fresh start will put their disappointing 2014-15 campaigns behind them. Others, like Montreal Canadiens forward Alexander Semin, are trying to salvage their NHL careers.

Here's a look at several fading NHL stars hoping to rebound with new teams in 2015-16. We'll compare their previous achievements to their 2014-15 performance and project possible outcomes for the coming season. As always, feel free to weigh in with your comments below.

Kevin Bieksa, Anaheim Ducks

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Previous accomplishments: For a number of years, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa was the Vancouver Canucks' top blueliner. He had three seasons with 40-plus points, was defensively responsible and played an aggressive physical game. Bieksa was a key part of the Canucks' march to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. 

2014-15 performance: Last season, the 34-year-old missed 22 games to a hand injury and struggled upon his return to action. His 14 points in 60 games were his lowest in a full NHL season. On June 30, the Canucks dealt Bieksa to the Ducks. 

Outlook for 2015-16: Bieksa joins a rising young Ducks team as the likely replacement for veteran Francois Beauchemin, who departed via free agency. That means he'll be skating on the top-two defense pairing with rising star Hampus Lindholm. If Bieksa can stay healthy, his experience and skills should make him a valuable addition.

Mike Green, Detroit Red Wings

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Previous accomplishments: Prior to joining the Detroit Red Wings this summer via free agency, defenseman Mike Green spent 10 seasons with the Washington Capitals. From 2007-08 to 2009-10, he was among the NHL's highest-scoring rearguards and a two-time Norris Trophy finalist.

2014-15 performance: Though he spent a number of years as a top-two defenseman in Washington, injuries have hampered his effectiveness as a puck-carrying rearguard. Last season, Green found himself dropped to the third-pairing under new head coach Barry Trotz. Still, he netted 45 points for the fourth time in his career.

Outlook for 2015-16: Green, who turns 30 in October, will likely see more minutes with the Red Wings in a second-pairing defense role. He'll be expected to take some of the offensive burden off the hardworking Niklas Kronwall. Despite last season's production, it can be argued he was sheltered on the Capitals' third pairing. Green must prove he's still a reliable top-four defenseman.

Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings

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Previous accomplishments: Before joining the Los Angeles Kings via trade last June, Milan Lucic was a first-line left wing with the Boston Bruins. He established himself among the league's best power forwards, playing a crucial role in the Bruins' Stanley Cup championship in 2011 and their return to the Cup Final in 2013. 

2014-15 performance: With his regular center David Krejci sidelined most of last season, Lucic put up his lowest numbers in a full NHL season since 2008-09. It's also possible his punishing physical style is taking as much a toll upon himself as it does his opponents. An unrestricted free agent next July set to earn $6.5 million this season, Bruins management decided to ship him to Los Angeles. 

Outlook for 2015-16: Lucic will likely skate on the Kings' top line alongside Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik. That will provide the 27-year-old with a golden opportunity to rebound from last season's efforts. It could also boost his free-agent value, making him difficult for the Kings to re-sign.

Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

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Previous accomplishments: Prior to being dealt in June to the Dallas Stars and signed to a three-year contract, Antti Niemi spent the past five seasons as starting goalie for the San Jose Sharks. He won 30-plus games in four of those seasons and never had a save percentage below .913 or a goals-against average over 2.60. 

2014-15 performance: Like most of the Sharks last season, Niemi struggled at times with his consistency. His 23 losses were the most he suffered in one season since coming to San Jose, while his 2.59 GAA was his highest as a starter.

Outlook for 2015-16: Now 32, Niemi must prove he's still a capable NHL starting netminder. He will jockey with Kari Lehtonen for that role in Dallas. This could go one of two ways. The starter's job will either be Niemi's for the taking or his presence will spark a better effort from Lehtonen, who had his own difficulties last season.

Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Toronto Maple Leafs

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Previous accomplishments: Prior to signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pierre-Alexandre (P-A) Parenteau spent the past five seasons with the New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens. He's had three 43-plus point performances, including a nearly point-per-game pace with the Avalanche during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. 

2014-15 performance: Dealt to the Canadiens in June 2014, Parenteau struggled to regain his offensive touch. A concussion sidelined the 32-year-old for 19 games. His playing time declined and he finished with a career-worst 22 points over a full NHL season. In June, the Canadiens bought out the remainder of his contract.

Outlook for 2015-16: This season is make-or-break for Parenteau's NHL career. He should get plenty of opportunities to regain his form on a rebuilding Leafs team starved for scoring punch. Parenteau will likely skate on one of their top-two lines.

Alexander Semin, Montreal Canadiens

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Previous accomplishments: Prior to signing with the Montreal Canadiens, right wing Alexander Semin was a high-scoring forward with the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes. In eight of his 10 NHL seasons, he never had less than 42 points. He reached a career-high 84 points in 2009-10 with the Capitals and was a point-per-game player with the Hurricanes during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign. 

2014-15 performance: A combination of injuries and struggling to adjust to a new head coach resulted in the worst numbers of Semin's NHL career. It also enhanced his reputation as an enigmatic floater. As he netted only 19 points in 56 games, the Hurricanes bought out the remaining two years of his contract. 

Outlook for 2015-16: The 31-year-old has reached the crossroads of his playing career. Another poor performance could spell the end of his NHL tenure, so he should be motivated to step it up this season. The Canadiens were among last season's lowest-scoring teams, so they'll be looking for Semin to provide more punch to their offense. With his skills, a 25-goal, 50-point performance is possible. 

Patrick Sharp, Dallas Stars

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Previous accomplishments: Prior to being acquired in a trade this summer by the Dallas Stars, Patrick Sharp was a scoring winger on the Chicago Blackhawks. Between 2007-08 and 2013-14, Sharp had four seasons with 30-plus goals and five with 60-plus points. In 2013-14, he led the Blackhawks with a career-high 78 points. He was part of three Stanley Cup championships with Chicago. 

2014-15 performance: Injuries hampered Sharp's performance, limiting him to 16 goals and 43 points in 68 games. He also managed only five goals in 23 playoff games during the 'Hawks Cup run. At 33, age could be affecting his play. In July, the Blackhawks dealt his $5.9 million cap hit to the Stars in a cost-cutting trade. 

Outlook for 2015-16: Sharp will likely skate on the Stars' second line with playmaking center Jason Spezza. If promising Valeri Nichushkin struggles as a first-line right wing, Sharp could slide into that role alongside Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. With that type of offensive talent as potential linemates, another 30-goal performance seems possible for Sharp.

Chris Stewart, Anaheim Ducks

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Previous accomplishments: Prior to signing this summer as a free agent with the Anaheim Ducks, right wing Chris Stewart was a two-time 28-goal scorer with the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues. He also tallied 36 points in 48 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. Late in 2013-14, he was dealt by the Blues to the Buffalo Sabres. 

2014-15 performance: Stewart, 27, struggled with consistency on a lousy Sabres team through much of last season, tallying only 11 goals and 25 points in 61 games. After being traded to the Minnesota Wild, he saw an uptick in his production (six points in his first 10 games), but faded down the stretch and was held to just two assists in eight playoff games.

Outlook for 2015-16: The 6'2”, 231-pounder brings an additional physical edge to the Ducks' lineup, while his offensive ability could see him skate on the second-line as an injury fill-in. Most likely, however, Stewart will play on the Ducks third line. That won't give him much of an opportunity to regain his scoring touch.

Player stats via NHL.com. Trophy information via Hockey-Reference.com. Salary info via General Fanager.