One of the most important rules to remember when it comes to evaluating the potential production of NHL players is that past performance isn’t necessarily indicative of future results. Every single year there are a number of players that set career-highs in goals, assists and points in breakout seasons. At the same time, there are always players that fall short of their production levels from previous seasons whether it’s due to age, injury or a change in their environment. Here is a look at the NHL star’s facing the biggest question marks heading in to the 2017-18 season.
C/W: Jonathan Drouin, Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens acquired Drouin with the hope that the 22-year-old could live up to his potential and become an elite scorer for them for years to come. The third-overall pick from the 2013 NHL Draft is coming off a career year in which he scored 21 goals and finished with 53 points. Can he top those totals as a first-line scorer for Montreal in 2017-18? The Habs immediately signed the Quebec-native to a six-year deal with a cap hit of $5.5 million per season. There will be a lot of pressure on Drouin to deliver in his first year with the Canadiens but the young sniper seems prepared for the situation. Drouin will get the opportunity to be the man in Montreal. The Canadiens are banking on him topping the 60-point mark in 2017-18.
The Canadiens finished last season with 103 points – the most in their division – but they definitely tapered off as the season went along. They need to find more offense as their 226 goals scored ranked them ninth in that category in the Eastern Conference. That’s not good enough.
C/W: Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche
It took more than 19 months for the Lightning to find the right deal to trade Drouin after he requested to be moved. It seems like it could take even longer for the Avalanche if they ever decide to pull the trigger on a deal that would move Duchene. The 26-year-old is coming off a brutal year in which he scored just 18 goals and registered 41 points in 77 games. At the same time, Duchene registered 70 points in 2013-14 and then scored 30 goals in 2015-16 so he has already proven he is capable. Duchene will turn 37 this season and is under contract for two more years for a total of $12 million. The Avalanche will need to decide whether to keep him or move him. Regardless of whether or not he remains in Colorado, Duchene is another star player facing plenty of question marks.
RW: Jaromir Jagr, Free Agent
Jagr continued to defy the odds when he scored 16 goals and registered 46 points in 82 games for the Panthers last season. However, the Panthers decided against bringing Jagr back as a free agent this offseason and he has yet to find a team willing to sign him. There is no doubt that Jagr lacks speed but he is still a capable scorer and a potential powerplay specialist with more than two decades of experience. Will Jagr find a new home in 2017-18? The odds are that eventually a team will take a chance on Jagr and give him another opportunity to extend his incredible NHL career.
RW: Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
The Maple Leafs decided to take a shot on the veteran winger Marleau with the hope that he could help fill out their top-six forward group while complimenting one of the best powerplay units in the league. Toronto’s salary cap flexibility allowed the club to overpay for Marleau with the hope that he could provide a significant boost in the short term. What will Marleau bring to the Maple Leafs? The 37-year-old is coming off a solid season in which he scored 27 goals in 82 games. While he isn’t the quickest forward, he is a capable scorer that can help mentor the young players on the Toronto roster. Marleau is still looking for his first Stanley Cup. It will be interesting to see how Marleau fares in his first year with the Maple Leafs as a veteran player that still has something to prove.
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