Yesterday, Rob Kirk took a look at the most disappointing teams at the halfway point of the 2013-14 NHL season (http://edraft.com/nhl/news/nhl-2013-14-the-most-disappointing-teams-of-the-nhl-season/).
Today, we will look at some of the most disappointing players. Despite their failure to perform up to their potential, some of these players' teams are still near the top of the standings. If any of the following players can manage to turn it around in the second half of the season, they will paya huge dividends for their respective teams.
Bryan Bickell - Chicago Blackhawks
To be fair, Bickell was never considered as an elite player or even an above average player before last year's playoffs. However, his monstrous performance last spring put heavy expectations on his shoulders for this season; expectations that he has not come close to meeting.
In fact, Bickell had more than twice as many points last postseason than he does so far this season despite playing eight less games last spring.
Now, he is the only everyday Blackhawk with a negative plus-minus. Most of the team is in positive double digits.
Looking at his statistics from previous seasons, Bickell's numbers this season are not particularly surprising. Given his performance during Chicago's Stanley Cup run, however, he is considered a disappointment this year.
Dustin Brown - Los Angeles Kings
What is going on with Dustin Brown? The captain of the Kings and member of the United States men's hockey team in Sochi has been having an extremely uncharacteristic season. Halfway through the year, he has not reached double digits in goals or assists and his team is still looking like a top Stanley Cup contender.
Imagine what could happen if he stepped it up.
Brown's futility this season has some questioning why he was chosen to play in Sochi instead of Bobby Ryan or Kyle Okposo.
David Clarkson - Toronto Maple Leafs
The long-time New Jersey Devil came home to Toronto this summer to play for the Maple Leafs, but he has struggled mightily in his first season wearing blue and white.
After the two best seasons of his career, Clarkson was signed to a substantial deal by Toronto, but has not been the player his salary suggests he is.
Clarkson's struggles were well-documented in HBO's 24/7, as himself as well as fans have become frustrated with his mediocre performance.
Jimmy Howard - Detroit Red Wings
Like Brown, many are questioning why Howard was chosen for the USA Olympic roster instead of a goaltender like Ben Bishop or Cory Schneider.
While Howard was a major reason the Red Wings continued their playoff streak last season, he has been a completely different goaltender this year. Before and after his injury, Howard has been giving up goals late in games and crumbling in clutch situations. This is obviously a reason for concern as far as the Olympics go.
However, Howard temporarily silenced doubters with a remarkable performance in Dallas on Saturday night. Could this be the turnaround? Time will tell.
Henrik Lundqvist - New York Rangers
Lundqvist is known as arguably the best goaltender in the world, but his performance this year has been shockingly mediocre. He currently ranks 32nd in goals against average with 2.78 and 35th in save percentage with .905: two categories in which he is normally among the leaders.
Does this year's performance have to do with new head coach Alain Vigneault's more offensive style than John Tortorella's shot-blocking strategy? It is possible. Nevertheless, Lundqvist's play will be a major concern for Team Sweden in Sochi if he does not turn it around.