Eight surprising NHL players who haven’t scored this season

The 2015-16 NHL season began just over three weeks ago. There are 78 forwards that have appeared in at least one game and didn’t tally a point. They are no doubt quite sad.

But there are eight players in that collection of pointless skaters that made us raise an eyebrow or do a double-take or whatever it is that you do when you can’t believe what you’re seeing.

Here are eight surprisingly pointless NHL players in the 2015-16 season:

Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes

(9 games, 0-0-0, minus-3, 9 shots)

Nine games without a point for the other Staal.

No, not Marc – the other, other Staal. Marc has four points!

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In four of those games for Jordan Staal, he had one shot; in three of them, no shots. His ice time dipped to 13:37 last game, with another shot against the New York Islanders coming up on Thursday night. Staal’s skated with Nathan Gerbe, who’s struggled to a goal and an assist this season.

Of course, there’s another facet to Staal’s game, which is his defense. He’s fifth on the Canes in Corsi 5v5 Close (51.2) and continues to drive possession. But as Cardiac Canes writes:

At the end of the day, Jordan Staal’s defensive acumen alone will not make him worth his $6 million price tag. He needs to turn things around very soon, or he may be a victim to trade speculation in the coming months, just like his brother.

He has a no-trade clause. Good luck!

Brooks Laich, Washington Capitals

(8 games, 0-0-0, minus-4, 15 shots)

Considering his ice time, give credit to Laich for trying to make it happen, generating shots despite playing under 10 minutes in each of this last three games. The Capitals’ fourth line is just finding its legs. This is the part where we mention Laich is making $4.5 million against the cap.

Marcus Kruger, Chicago Blackhawks

(9 games, 0-0-0, minus-3, 8 shots)

Granted, Kruger’s not really expected to be an offensive juggernaut, with 17 points last season. And he only had one point in his first 12 games last season. So file this under “this is what Marcus Kruger does” vs. any concern over a slow start.

Anton Lander, Edmonton Oilers

(10 games, 0-0-0, minus-3, 13 shots)

The hell happened? Lander had an outstanding preseason, including a hat trick against the Arizona Coyotes. He’s getting ice time, he’s getting shots and he’s playing with two bottom sixers (Teddy Purcell and Lauri Korpikoski) that can generate chances. But yet, nada.

Matt Stajan, Calgary Flames

(10 games, 0-0-0, minus-1, 2 shots)

Just a brutal start for the veteran forward, as it’s been for his team. There was a thought that Stajan would be a healthy scratch on Wednesday night against Ottawa; he played 9:26 instead. And didn't score.

Cody Hodgson, Nashville Predators

(9 games, 0-0-0, Even, 17 shots)

What’s up with Hodgson, besides his continuing inability to meet the expectations of his talent? Adam Vingan was asked, and said:

He is on the right side of puck possession, albeit barely at 50.91 percent. He's fourth on the team in even-strength scoring chances, but he's also averaging the fewest amount of ice time per game among players who have appeared in every game at 10:46.

How concerned should the Predators be? I don't believe eight games is enough of a sample size to warrant any sort of anxiety. But the third line as a whole hasn't been that productive. The four forwards that have primarily played on that line — Hodgson, Bourque, Calle Jarnkrok and Viktor Arvidsson — have combined to score one goal. Nashville's top players have carried the offense thus far, so the lack of it from the third line hasn't been debilitating, but the Predators need them to contribute and that begins with Hodgson.

Hodgson had one point in eight games to start the Buffalo Sabres’ season.

Luke Glendening, Detroit Red Wings

(9 games, 0-0-0, minus-1, 7 shots)

He’s been a little banged up off the start, but his line with Darren Helm and Riley Sheahan was expected to contribute a bit more offensively than they have. "Everyone's got to take a look in the mirror and see how they can be better," Glendening said. Do you own one, sir?

Antoine Vermette, Arizona Coyotes

(7 games, 0-0-0, plus-1, 9 shots)

Oh, we get it: Win a Stanley Cup and just coast the rest of your career, eh?

(Just kidding. He’s been felled with a lower-body injury early this season. He had 38 points last year. He’ll be fine.)

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