In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on which players are off to the most disappointing starts.
Todd Cordell
Timo Meier.
He signed a meaty four-year bridge deal in the summer – one that comes with a minimum QO of $10 million when it expires. I thought he was fully deserving of the big money – and that still may be true – but he hasn’t been thus far.
He has registered two goals and four points through 15 games and his generation numbers have dropped across the board.
Last season, at 5v5, he averaged 20.35 shot attempts, 13.42 chances, and 6.16 Grade A looks per 60 minutes of play. This season he is mustering up 14.85 attempts, 10.19 chances, and 4.66 Grade A looks per 60 minutes. Those are sizeable dips.
Meier probably deserves more points than he has garnered to date but not as many as you would think, or hope, from a 23-year-old star – especially considering the Sharks *need* more from him now.
James Tanner It has to be Kaapo Kakko. He has been brutal, with just two goals and three points in 11 games played. The New York Rangers should send him back to Finland but they probably won't because he's already burned off a year of his contract. He is currently getting enforcer levels of shot share and puck possession (high 30s) but maybe the problem is who he's playing with. We know who you play with is up to five times more important than who you play against, and Kakko's most common linemates are Krieder, Howden, Strome and Lemieux. Perhaps some time with Panarin would be what he needs. The Rangers better try something because this is ugly so far.
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