Who Are the Most Disappointing Players in the League? The Athletic Has Answered This Question.

The 2021-22 season was marked by controversies during the draft, followed by an eventful off-season with several significant trades and signings. This set the stage for an interesting 2022-23 season.

As the season enters its final stretch, The Athletic has published a list of the players who have underperformed the most during the year.

Huberdeau Ranked #1

When Jonathan Huberdeau was traded to Calgary as part of the Matthew Tkachuk deal, there were great expectations for him. The bar was raised even higher when the Flames signed him to an $84 million, eight-year contract extension, even before he had played a single game for them.


However, Huberdeau has not lived up to these lofty expectations, as he is currently projected to score only 54 points if he plays a full 82-game season. As a result, he is widely considered the most disappointing player in the league.

OEL Given #2

In what may be the most bewildering trade in the cap-era history, the Vancouver Canucks traded away three unappealing one-year contracts, as well as their ninth overall pick, to the Coyotes in exchange for six years of Oliver Ekman-Larsson's services, which came at a price tag of $7.26 million.

While Ekman-Larsson's defensive stats were impressive last season, his performance this season has been dismal. If not for his hefty contract and leadership qualities, he would probably find himself benched on many occasions.

Campbell Gets Number Three

At the start of free agency, Jack Campbell signed a five-year $25 million contract with Edmonton, with the intention of bolstering their chances to win the cup. However, things didn't go according to plan, as rookie Stuart Skinner has taken over the starting position, leaving Campbell as the backup goalie. Moreover, Campbell's performance has been subpar, with his career-worst statistics.

Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager, Kyle Dubas, took a calculated risk by not signing Campbell, and it seems to have paid off.

Although it's never pleasant to make a list of underperforming players, these individuals have certainly earned their place on it. Hopefully, they can turn things around and deliver better performances next season.

Source: The Athletic