As the NHL's 2024-25 season approaches the 20-game mark, several teams have surprised fans and analysts alike with their performances. Teams such as the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, and Washington Capitals have notably exceeded expectations through their solid play. In contrast, several franchises have not met the anticipated standards set before the season commenced. Among those underperforming teams is a Western Conference club that made significant moves during the offseason free-agent market. Another is an Eastern Conference team that typically finishes near the top of the standings. This article will explore five teams that are falling short of expectations and highlight key players whose performances have not matched their usual levels. Notably, franchises that are grappling with extensive injuries, like the Colorado Avalanche, and players such as Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, have been excluded from this discussion.

The Boston Bruins have consistently ranked among the top teams in the Eastern Conference since the 2017-18 season, finishing no lower than sixth overall, securing the Presidents' Trophy twice (in 2019-20 and 2022-23), and placing second in their conference in both 2017-18 and 2018-19. However, the current season has seen the Bruins struggle significantly, as they held a record of eight wins, eight losses, and three overtime losses for 19 points as of November 17. At times, they have lingered near the bottom of the standings, recently suffering a disheartening 7-2 defeat to the Dallas Stars. Once celebrated for their goalie tandem of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, the Bruins' dynamic changed with Ullmark's offseason trade to the Ottawa Senators. This shift has left Swayman and his new partner, Joonas Korpisalo, with a goals-against average of 3.37, ranking among the league's worst. Swayman's late arrival to training camp due to contract negotiations appears to have hampered his performance. Meanwhile, offseason signings such as center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov are reportedly facing challenges in adapting to their new environment. Lindholm was intended to serve as the first-line center but has found himself relegated to second-line duties, while Zadorov currently occupies the third defensive pairing. Perhaps most surprising has been David Pastrňák’s slump, as he trails well behind his regular 100-point pace, contributing only 17 points in 19 games. Pastrňák has acknowledged an offseason injury that may have impacted his readiness for the campaign and was notably benched by head coach Jim Montgomery during the third period of their 2-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken on November 3.

The expectations for the Dallas Stars were substantial after back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Final, with many anticipating their rise as serious Stanley Cup contenders in the 2024-25 season. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, the Stars concluded the previous season with an impressive 113-point total, marking the second-best in franchise history. As of November 16, however, the Stars' record stood at 10 wins and five losses, positioning them fifth in the Western Conference with 20 points. While this ranking is respectable, the Stars faced an early challenge that included two losses to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in games played in Finland. Additively, they have been defeated by strong competitors such as the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals, as well as the erratic Buffalo Sabres. Although the Stars rank among the top-10 offensively, their power-play percentage languishes at 18.0, placing them 19th in the league. This dip in success can be linked to the struggles of young stars like forwards Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and defenseman Miro Heiskanen, all of whom contributed significantly to last season's success. Robertson led the team with 80 points, Johnston topped the scoring charts with 32 goals, and Heiskanen, a standout blue liner, recorded 54 points. This season has seen Robertson slide to sixth on the team with just eight points in 16 games after missing training camp for health reasons. Johnston has only managed two goals and seven points, while Heiskanen has registered six points, raising concerns about the trio as they attempt to find their scoring touch.

The Nashville Predators were hailed as one of the offseason winners with their acquisitions of forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, as well as defenseman Brady Skjei. However, these promising additions have yet to translate into positive results on the ice, as the Predators found themselves languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a record of five wins, 10 losses, and three overtime losses in 18 games as of November 17. Notably, their goals-against average of 2.28 is the lowest in the league, yet they have also conceded the 12th-highest goals-per-game figure at 3.22. Stamkos is struggling with just four goals and eight points, while Marchessault has scored three times and collected nine points, both far below their expected scoring capabilities based on previous seasons. Skjei has managed six points, but his defensive contributions have not met the expectations for a player earning $7 million annually. Other key veteran players, including team captain Roman Josi, have also faltered this season, with Josi's plus/minus rating plummeting to minus-13. Leading scorer Filip Forsberg has found himself without a point in recent contests, and two-way forward Ryan O'Reilly is also facing difficulties. Reports from The Tennessean echoed concerns regarding the Predators' poor puck movement leading to turnovers in the neutral zone and suggested that their forwards are lacking the speed necessary to outpace defenders, while their blue liners are contributing to odd-man rushes due to their eagerness to advance into the offensive zone.

After winning the Presidents' Trophy in the 2023-24 season and making a return to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons, the New York Rangers entered the 2024-25 season with high expectations. Recording an historic 114 points last year, they were perceived as strong contenders for the Stanley Cup. However, through 15 games as of mid-November, the Rangers found themselves recording 10 wins, four losses, and an overtime defeat for 21 points, placing them sixth overall in the Eastern Conference. Despite this standing, recent blowout losses to teams like the Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, and Winnipeg Jets have raised red flags. Columnists from the New York Post, including Larry Brooks and Mollie Walker, have drawn attention to the team's struggles with puck management and ineffective breakouts, particularly during a 6-3 loss to the Jets. While the Rangers maintain a strong goals-per-game average (3.67) and excel in special teams, ranking among the league's best in goals-against per game at 2.53, they have also allowed the fourth-highest shots-against figure in the league at 32.2. Scoring forwards Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have not reached their usual standards; Zibanejad has candidly expressed concerns over his confidence throughout the season, whereas Kreider has scored eight goals, only three of which came in his last ten games, and he has failed to record an assist during this stretch.

With significant strides made in the previous season, the Vancouver Canucks emerged as a competitive force after missing the playoffs in eight of the prior ten campaigns. Their impressive 109-point finish was the third-best in franchise history, and their performance placed them third overall in the Western Conference, marking their return to the postseason since 2020. Expectations surrounding the Canucks' performance entering the current season were elevated. However, as of November 17, the Canucks found themselves ranked sixth in the conference, with a record of nine wins, four losses, and three overtime losses for 19 points in 15 games. This is considered subpar by supporters hoping for further improvement. Winger Brock Boeser has recently been sidelined with an upper-body injury that may have hampered the team's offensive output, as the Canucks have seen their goals-per-game average drop from sixth overall last season (3.40) to 15th overall (3.19) thus far in the current campaign. Compounding this issue is the absence of starting goaltender Thatcher Demko, who is rehabbing from a knee injury sustained during the previous playoffs. Sportsnet analyst Iain MacIntyre emphasized that a slow start from rugged two-way forward J.T. Miller has capped the Canucks' potential this season. Offseason signing Jake DeBrusk was expected to add scoring depth to their top-six forwards but has thus far been inconsistent, contributing only three goals and ten points in 16 games. However, the most pressing concern has been the decline in Elias Pettersson's production, as he has totaled five goals and ten points, significantly below his previous season's pace of 34 goals and 89 points. Though Pettersson is not battling injuries and has the time to regain his top-level performance, his struggles have not aided the Canucks in their bid to ascend the standings.