Hyped NHL Rookies Whose Seasons Aren't Going According to Plan

Every fall, NHL teams begin the long season with high hopes for their best rookies. First-year players often deliver less than expected—it is the toughest league in the world—and injuries can also impact in a big way.

Sometimes, these rookies spend time in the minors and recover later in the year, but there are times when the audition places young prospects' NHL futures in doubt. In other cases, it is a short-term item, and a good second half of the season will have them back on track.

Here are the hyped rookies whose seasons have not gone to plan so far this season.

7. Nicolas Petan, C, Winnipeg Jets

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The Early Story: Nicolas Petan of the Winnipeg Jets is a ridiculous offensive prospect and made the big club out of training camp based on that offensive promise. Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun described his performance leading up to the year and his outstanding skills. 

What Was Delivered? He looked the part of an offensive player until the regular season, but as often happens, the games get tougher when they have added meaning. He scored a goal in October but couldn't sustain anything beyond it.

What Now? Petan (20) is a young player with electric skills—and he is just starting out. The Jets sent him down to the AHL Manitoba Moose, and he is thriving there. Winnipeg Jets fans should expect to see him on the big team in the near future, possibly next season.

6. Daniel Sprong, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Early Story: Daniel Sprong was selected No. 46 in the 2015 draft. He made the team with a strong camp, as reported by NHL.com. Scoring three goals in preseason got him an NHL job, as the Pittsburgh Penguins needed goals. 

What Was Delivered? Sprong delivered one October goal and another in November, but it wasn't enough to keep him in the lineup. He was sent back to junior hockey and is flourishing there.

What Now? The Penguins were asking a lot of Sprong to make that kind of jump, and sending him back to junior hockey is the right decision. The Edmonton Oilers did the same thing with Leon Draisaitl last season and have reaped major rewards this year. 

5. William Karlsson, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

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The Early Story: William Karlsson of the Columbus Blue Jackets was expected to be a depth forward or AHL player. This preseason article by Craig Merz of NHL.com does not project him as part of the starting 12 but does add him as a depth forward.

What Was Delivered? Injuries forced Karlsson onto the opening-night roster—he did not play in the first game but was in the lineup for the second game—and he was minus-four in that contest. Karlsson has been solid in possession—he is close to 50 percent—but his offensive contribution has been poor.

What Now? The Blue Jackets have lost another season, so we may see players such as Kerby Rychel playing more. There is also a chance the club moves away from Karlsson at the deadline, and he could be trade bait if a team needs a depth forward.

4. Jake Virtanen, RW, Vancouver Canucks

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The Early Story: Jake Virtanen of the Vancouver Canucks made the team out of training camp and was expected to move up the depth chart during the year. An early October story from Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun suggested he would have to earn playing time on his way to becoming a regular.

What Was Delivered? He started slowly—he scored his first goal in early November—and the Canucks released him to play in the World Juniors Tournament over New Year's. It did not go well, as described by Emily Sadler of Sportsnet, and Virtanen hasn't lit the world on fire since returning.

What Now? In his last game before the break with Vancouver, Virtanen played less than nine minutes. The Canucks need to play Virtanen or send him back to junior. He is a valuable young player, and the team should make the decision now with an eye toward his long-term future.

3. Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton Oilers

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The Early Story: The Edmonton Oilers acquired Griffin Reinhart at considerable cost in the 2015 draft. Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli was quoted after the deal and gave the impression that the young defender would be on the big club in the 2015-16 season. Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal had the story. 

What Was Delivered? It has been an uneven season for Reinhart, including six missed games in late October and early November due to injury. He spent 17 games in the minors waiting for Edmonton to suss out its defensive depth chart and get back in shape.

What Now? Reinhart is back in the NHL and had his best game as an Oilers player against Nashville just before the All-Star break. If he continues to play this well, the early-season disappointment will be a distant memory.

2. Sergei Plotnikov, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Early Story: Sergei Plotnikov of the Pittsburgh Penguins was expected to adjust quickly to the NHL game and be productive. A preseason article by Jason Mackey of TribLive.com gave evidence he was making steady progress as the season approached. 

What Was Delivered? Plotnikov hasn't moved the needle offensively, scoring only two assists in 32 games. He has been a healthy scratch often as the season wears along.

What Now? Plotnikov is a restricted free agent this summer, but it is hard to build a case for his return next year. There is a good chance he is one and done with the Penguins, and he may not catch on with another NHL team. The final stretch of this season offers an opportunity to change the story.

1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

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The Early Story: Connor McDavid went No. 1 overall to the Edmonton Oilers at the 2015 draft. The expectation was an impact rookie season.

What Was Delivered? He was enjoying a strong start to his NHL career—12 points in 13 games—when bad luck hit him. In early November, in what has become an infamous play, McDavid suffered a substantial shoulder injury that kept him out for three months.

What Now? McDavid returned to action against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 2, scoring a brilliant goal—and adding two assists—in the second period to signal his return. He probably missed too many games to contend for the Calder Trophy, but he has a lot of story left to write in this season.