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10 Players Who Have Underachieved in 2014-15 NHL Season So Far

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By @nick_villano

10 Players Who Have Underachieved in 2014-15 NHL Season So Far

Vinny Lecavalier
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The NHL season has seen some players rise up the rankings, while others fall off their former high-rising posts. This article looks at the latter. Here are 10 players who have really underachieved so far this season.

10. Milan Lucic

10. Milan Lucic
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10. Milan Lucic

10. Milan Lucic
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The Boston Bruins were thought to be one of the best teams in the NHL coming into this season. For whatever reason, it hasn't worked out that way. Milan Lucic has been the most disappointing player on the team. After scoring 59 points last season, and being a leader on the ice, he only has 17 points through 36 games.

9. TJ Oshie

9. TJ Oshie
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9. TJ Oshie

9. TJ Oshie
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TJ Oshie came out of last season's Olympic break as one of the most popular players in the NHL. His shootout performance against Russia was one of the best sports moments of the year. That has not translated to this side of the Atlantic. He has been disappointing all season to the point that there are talks he could get traded.

8. Dustin Brown

8. Dustin Brown
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8. Dustin Brown

8. Dustin Brown
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Dustin Brown is one of the game's biggest stars, playing for the defending champion Los Angeles Kings. The 10-year veteran is having the worst output of his career. The Kings are surviving, but he needs to turn it around if they are going to be contenders once again.

7. Nail Yakupov

7. Nail Yakupov
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7. Nail Yakupov

7. Nail Yakupov
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Nail Yakupov is looking like one of the worst No. 1 overall picks in recent memory. He can't seem to find his place in Edmonton. While that entire team is struggling, Yakupov is struggling more than anyone else. He only has eight points at this point in the season. He could also see himself on the move.

6. Ales Hemsky

6. Ales Hemsky
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6. Ales Hemsky

6. Ales Hemsky
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Ales Hemsky may be the worst offseason signing in the NHL this season. He has not worked at all with the Dallas Stars, despite working with Jason Spezza. He only has three goals this season despite playing 32 games.

5. Vinny Lecavalier

5. Vinny Lecavalier
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5. Vinny Lecavalier

5. Vinny Lecavalier
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The Philadelphia Flyers gave Vincent Lecavalier a huge contract despite getting cut from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was worth the money last season, scoring 20 goals for them. This season, it seems like he lost whatever he had that made him great. He is signed through 2018 at a .5 million cap hit.

4. Chris Kreider

4. Chris Kreider
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4. Chris Kreider

4. Chris Kreider
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Chris Kreider is one of the most volatile players the Rangers have had since Sean Avery donned the red, white and blue. He is always in the headlines for his playmaking ability and his aptitude for making headlines, like when he injured Carey Price in the Eastern Conference Finals. This season, he is having trouble getting out of the gate. He only has 15 points and five goals.

3. Semyon Varlamov

3. Semyon Varlamov
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3. Semyon Varlamov

3. Semyon Varlamov
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Semyon Varlamov carried the Colorado Avalanche to the No. 1 seed last season. This year, his below average play has them as one of the worst teams in the NHL. He is getting a deserved amount of the blame for their poor play. He can barely stay on the ice due to a recurring groin injury.

2. Milan Michalek

2. Milan Michalek
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2. Milan Michalek

2. Milan Michalek
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Milan Michalek was supposed to be one of the underrated signings of the offseason. Instead, it is one of the worst. The Ottawa Senators are once again towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference. He has nine points through 32 games this season. That is borderline out of the league.

1. Darcy Kuemper

1. Darcy Kuemper
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1. Darcy Kuemper

1. Darcy Kuemper
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Darcy Kuemper was supposed to be one of the breakout stars of 2014-15. He has not stepped up to the plate in terms of production. He has terrible stats, and isn't winning enough. He has a .903 save percentage, which ranks 35th among qualified goalies. That has Minnesota on the outside of the playoff race as of now.

Nick Villano is the New Jersey Devils writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

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