Maple Leafs, Sharks and Flyers Top List of NHL’s Weakest Teams
The Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers have been the NHL's most underwhelming teams six weeks into the season. Toronto has lost four straight, San Jose is 2-7-1 in its last ten, and Philadelphia opened with nine games without a win.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers are the NHL teams that have disappointed most about six weeks into the season, with each sitting below .500 despite higher hopes.
The league is heating up. Scoring is high, a few star players have requested trades, and the Carolina Hurricanes are off to a hot start as defending Stanley Cup champions. Edmonton's Connor McDavid has been unstoppable.
The Florida Panthers also arrived with high expectations. They have dealt with injuries but are starting to keep pace with the league's top teams.
Toronto searching for an identity
The Maple Leafs are 8-10-2 and have lost four straight games. They are coming off a terrible season, then revamped their front office and reshaped the roster.
They hired John Chayka and held the first overall pick in the NHL Draft, which they used on Gavin McKenna. Sergei Bobrovsky signed to steady the goaltending.
It has not worked yet. Toronto lacks an identity and is one of the league's worst defensive teams, ranking 24th and allowing 3.45 goals per game.
Attention is turning to the future of captain Auston Matthews. American star players have been asking about leaving Canadian markets, and Matthews could be next if the Leafs fail to join the contender conversation.
San Jose stalls
Many picked the Sharks to take the next step and possibly make noise in the playoffs. They are 8-11-2 and fifth in the Pacific Division.
San Jose has gone 2-7-1 over its last ten games. Franchise player Macklin Celebrini has 23 points in 19 games but has struggled to find chemistry with different linemates.
The Sharks added Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba. Neither signing has translated into wins.
Philadelphia's slow start
The Flyers made the playoffs last season and won their first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This year they went winless through their first nine games.
They are 5-10-6, fifth-last in the league. The team has not gotten the most out of Russian forward Matvei Michkov, who has been caught up in trade-request drama.
Head coach Rick Tocchet has not found a fix, and his job security is less certain than many assumed.
