“The Silver Shield” is a column by Kasey Kazliner about the National Hockey League.
Players that haven’t reached expectations
It isn’t easy to thrive in the NHL for a long period of time by any means. However, established players are expected to continue to produce year-in and year-out, especially if getting paid a pretty penny. Inevitably, though, every season sees a handful of highly touted players decline to some degree. Whether it be battling injuries, having trouble adjusting to new scenery or just simply slumping, I’ve chosen five skaters that have been disappointing this season.
5. Connor Brown
Right winger Connor Brown has never been a superstar or a household name, but when the Edmonton Oilers signed him to a one-year contract valued at up to $4 million last offseason, they at least expected him to produce consistent points. It’s been a much different story, though. Coming off an injury-ridden 2022-23 campaign when he only suited up in four games because of an ACL tear, Brown is yet to score a goal in 2023-24. He’s played in 42 of Edmonton’s 49 games so far, and his measly four points just aren’t cutting it.
Just two seasons ago, as a member of the Ottawa Senators, Brown posted 39 points and was also a key defensive piece. Now, he sits on the fourth line and hardly adds to the statsheet. However, as the Oilers sit in the thick of the playoff race after starting the season off on the wrong foot, it’s safe to say that Edmonton will be just fine with or without production from the 30-year-old.
4. Jonathan Huberdeau
Once a 115-point generating Hart Trophy candidate in Florida, Jonathan Huberdeau’s career has taken a turn for the worse with the Flames. Last season, in his first year in Calgary, Huberdeau’s point total plummeted by 60 from the previous season, down to 55. While slack could be cut for the center’s disappointing 2022-23 season as it was a drastic change of scenery, Huberdeau isn’t helping his newcomer-slump case in 2023-24.
This season, Huberdeau’s minus-16 plus/minus is not only the worst on the Flames, but also the lowest of his 12-year career. He’s also only tallied 31 points in 52 games. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the 30-year-old signed a hefty eight-year, $84 million deal with Calgary during the 2022 offseason, which could make trading him impossible considering his subpar play. The Flames are a dark-horse playoff team, so they’ll want Huberdeau to step up his game to help Calgary return to the postseason.
3. Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson was undisputedly the NHL’s best defenseman in 2022-23, taking home the Norris Trophy and recording a whopping 101 points. While he’s not having a particularly bad first season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, considering his high value, he hasn’t lived up to the predictably tall expectations this year.
Pittsburgh missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006 last season, which sparked a desire for Karlsson. The Penguins landed him in a massive three-team trade with the Sharks and Canadiens last August and despite the buzz surrounding the Swede’s expected impact, Pittsburgh stands seven points out of the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card spot and is currently 3-5-2 in its last 10 games.
Karlsson has 37 points which, again, isn’t shabby by any means, but going from the best scoring defenseman last season to No. 13 on the points leaderboard for blueliners in 2023-24 is a pretty steep fall.
2. Matty Beniers
Matty Beniers is only 21 years old, so it wouldn’t be fair to totally knock on his game. But, after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy last season, Beniers hasn’t helped the shaky Seattle Kraken the way he used to. The center’s minus-11 rating is one of the worst on the team, and he’s only scoring a point once every 42 minutes and 36 seconds of gameplay, nearly double what it was last year.
The Kraken’s center position could really use some help, and Beniers was expected to be the one to lead the charge this season. Following a storybook 2022-23 campaign, Seattle hasn’t been nearly as exciting and currently sits on the outside of the playoff picture. The Kraken also have one of the worst offenses in the league, only averaging 2.70 goals per game. On the bright side for Beniers, his defensive game is nothing short of solid, and there will be plenty of time for him to turn things around as his young career progresses.
1. Pierre-Luc Dubois
The Los Angeles Kings made a statement trade when they acquired Winnipeg’s Pierre-Luc Dubois last offseason, who was advertised as an elusive, two-way forward. This season, though, he has completely fallen off. Following back-to-back seasons with 60 or more points, Dubois only has 21 through 50 games, along with a minus-16 rating. Dubois was supposed to be the missing piece to help bring the Kings from good to great, but he’s spent time on the bottom lines and has been a non-factor for Los Angeles.
To add insult to injury, Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo, the main pieces that the Kings sent to the Jets in the trade, are showing flashes of greatness for playoff-bound Winnipeg. Add in former first-rounder Rasmus Kupari and Los Angeles’ second-round pick this year, and this trade was a total fleece.
Dubois shouldn’t be considered a lost cause yet at 25 years old, but he’s most definitely a shell of his former self. The Kings have struggled recently after starting the season hot, so Dubois’ lack of production hasn’t been timely by any means.
Morgan Rielly suspended five games
Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly’s attempt to salvage his team’s pride while losing to its Ontario rival, the Ottawa Senators, resulted in a five-game suspension.
Rielly aggressively reacted to Senators forward Ridly Greig slapping the puck into Toronto’s empty net, which resulted in Rielly cross-checking Greig’s head.
The suspension has sparked controversy across the NHL. Although some deem Greig’s slapshot on the open net to be disrespectful and warranted of an altercation, others see Rielly’s incident as a major, dangerous overreaction.
Given the context of the game, with Toronto’s hopes to tie the contest washed down the drain with the empty netter, it makes sense that Rielly would be frustrated. But a forceful strike to the head after the play was over drove the NHL to sideline Rielly for five games.
“The Silver Shield” runs every Thursday.