NHL Predictions: 10 Preseason Disappointments

Preseason is time for skaters to establish themselves as threats on the ice or for goaltenders to prove that they'll be tough to beat one-on-one.

Many players show that they are NHL worthy and are given significant ice time, while others sputter out of the gates and show they are not ready for the season.

Although no team should be pressing the panic button on a player just yet, these ten players are going to be placed under the microscope at the beginning of the season.

The following are the ten most disappointing players in this year's preseason.

Ryan Callahan

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NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers skates up ice during a preseason game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 25, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Much is expected of Ryan Callahan, who was unearthed deep in the 2004 NHL Draft.

After an Olympic stint, Callahan, who helped the US team earn silver last year, was supposed to help rejuvenate an unproductive offense in New York. Lately, he's shown no signs of doing so. Callahan netted one goal and was minus-2 in three preseason games.

Patrick Kane

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 01: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates up the ice in front of Eric Godard #28 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during a pre-season game at the United Center on October 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

After establishing himself as a superstar in last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, Patrick Kane could only muster a goal and two assists in four preseason games.

Granted, it's the preseason and far too early to hit the panic button in the Windy City, but Kane is going to have to be more productive in the regular season if the Hawks want to repeat as champs this year.

Martin Havlat

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ST PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 25: Martin Havlat #24 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at Xcel Energy Center on September 25, 2010 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

After offering Martin Havlat a six-year, $30 million deal in 2009, the Wild expected the gritty winger to become a staple in their offensive scheme.

Instead, Havlat continues to play mediocre hockey. His single goal and assist and minus-2 rating indicate that he's not ready to take a big role in Minnesota.

Bryan Little

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 21: Bryan Little #10 of the Atlanta Thrashers against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the preseason opener at Phillips Arena on September 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After scoring 31 goals in the 2008 season, Bryan Little was expected to be a major part of the Thrashers' youth movement.

Instead, the young winger, who was drafted by Atlanta 12th overall in 2006, took a major step backwards. With only 13 goals last year and one in five preseason games, Little will have to step his game up in order to distinguish himself from the crowd in Georgia.

Cory Schneider

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 01: Goaltender Cory Schneider #35 of the Vancouver Canucks plays against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on October 1, 2010 in Anaheim, California. Vancouver won 4-2. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

If Roberto Luongo's injury is serious and keeps him out for a while (indications are that it's not) the Canucks may be in trouble.

Instead of using his opportunity to prove he's NHL-ready, Cory Schneider posted a pedestrian .881 save percentage while allowing his GAA to balloon to 3.26.

Mike Komisarek

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TORONTO - OCTOBER 7: Mike Komisarek #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shoots during warmup before playing the Montreal Canadiens during a regular season NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre October 7, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Can

If Toronto is going to turn their franchise around, players like Mike Komisarek cannot be registering a minus-6 rating after seven games.

Komisarek's play is pivotal to the success of his team. He must find a way to lock down in order to keep the Leafs out of the cellar.

Bobby Ryan

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Bobby Ryan #9 of the Anaheim Ducks skates prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on September 28, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

After all the fuss Bobby Ryan made over his contract status, the young winger could only muster a goal, an assist, and had a minus-8 rating in the preseason.

Granted, the top four plus-minus victims reside in Anaheim, but Ryan must be more productive if his team is going to get back into the postseason.

Matt Duchene

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 30: Center Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche at American Airlines Center on September 30, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The young Avalanche got rattled in the preseason. Chris Stewart was held scoreless and had a minus-5 rating and Matt Duchene, tabbed by many as a potential superstar in the NHL, had a single assist and a minus-5 rating in six games.

Colorado must pull it together and take advantage of a weak division, or it's possible they will miss the playoffs a year after generating incredible momentum for their team.

Thomas Vanek

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BUFFALO, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Thomas Vanek #26 of the Buffalo Sabres screens Jonas Gustavsson #50 and Marcel Mueller #45 of the Toronto Maple Leafs as the a shot by Andrej Sekera #44 (not shown) goes in for a goal at HSBC Arena on September 25, 2010 in Buff

Surprisingly Thomas Vanek cannot be found on the back of a milk carton in Western New York.

Expected to bounce back after a down year last season, Vanek was expected to take advantage of the lesser competition in the preseason. Instead he only produced one goal in three games.

Carey Price

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MONTREAL, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 27: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens blocks the puck against the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre on September 27, 2010 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Carey Price is on the hot seat and it's going to be sizzling entering the regular season.

In four games, the goaltender posted a 4.00 GAA and an abhorrent .831 save percentage. Montreal is a city that demands great play on the ice and the once-hyped Price is quickly falling out of favor.