The NHL's most disappointing players
Arizona Coyotes center Phil Kessel controls the puck. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)
December 13th, 2019
These five familiar faces have not lived up to their potential with more than a third of the NHL season in the books.
1. Phil Kessel
The Coyotes loom a legitimate threat to win the Pacific Division, but Phil Kessel hasn't contributed all that much. The former Bruins, Maple Leafs and Penguins sniper, brought in via trade during the offseason, is on pace for just 17 goals and 47 points, which would be his worst offensive output since his rookie season (70 games played). He’s only 32 years old, so this rapid decline could not have been anticipated.2. Sergei Bobrovsky
When the Panthers inked Sergei Bobrovsky to a seven-year, $70 million contract in the offseason, they probably never imagined the two-time Vezina Trophy winner’s play would slip this far. He has a 11-7-4 record between the pipes this year with a bloated 3.19 goals-against average and a mediocre .898 save percentage. Florida is currently on the outside looking in for the playoffs, so the Panthers need him to step it up.3. Johnny Gaudreau
The Flames have picked things up since an 11-12-4 start with six straight wins. But Johnny Gaudreau’s stats are still subpar for a player who tallied 36 goals and 63 assists in 2018-19. He is on pace for just 59 points this season.4. Pekka Rinne
Pekka Rinne, Nashville’s netminder for the last 12 seasons, is having his worst year for the Predators since 2013-14, when he was injured and suited up for only 24 games. Rinne’s GAA through 17 games (10-4-3 record) is 2.92, and his save percentage is .897. It’s easy to see why the Preds are fifth in the Central Division with those figures from the 37-year-old Finland native.5. Shayne Gostisbehere
Shayne Gostisbehere might be the only player on this list that’s on the upswing, as the Flyers defenseman has tallied three goals in his last six games. But this has occurred on the heels of a three-game benching that head coach Alain Vigneault deemed a “reset,” a move that never would have been considered necessary just a couple seasons ago. Gostisbehere had just one goal in his previous 22 games this year.Whether you like playing futures or games, BetAmerica is your place for hockey wagering!
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