Fantasy Hockey Slumping Superstars: Jordan Kyrou, Artemi Panarin, Brock Nelson and More

Hey folks! Today, we are going to dive into five more players, but this time focusing on underperforming superstars who have not yet hit their expected stride, and are struggling to get out of the gate.

There are a couple surprises, and some expectations that might be too high considering the player and are right where they should be. Let's take a look at each of these players and break down where they are at now vs. where they should be, even after only week one. 

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Jordan Kyrou - St. Louis Blues

Kyrou has had a slow start for his regular production. Left off the scoreboard for the majority of the first few games so far this season, this is not the regular 70+ point pace we are used to seeing from him.

Still holding elite deployment and bouncing between the powerplay units and being solidified in a top six role, Kyrou has had every opportunity to score but is just averaging less than two shots per game.

There is no doubt that Kyrou will get going, but the cracks are showing early for the Blues, who are not the contenders they were years ago with their Stanley Cup win. Something to be mindful of with Kyrou, and the rest of the Blues, is going to be their season long +/- rating, which will not likely be favorable. Too close to sell on Kyrou yet, though.

Kyrou has zero goals, one assist, and zero powerplay points in two games played as a forward. He also has four shots on goal, one hit, and three blocked shots.

Erik Karlsson - Pittsburgh Penguins

EK65 is showing his age, on an aging team. Rounding out the retirement home are Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, and even with all of this veteran talent around him, the Karlsson days on the Ottawa Senators are well behind him and as the years go on, the slower he looks on the ice.

Karlsson is already a -4 on the year, with two wins for the Pens already in the books. His +/- is likely to be atrocious throughout the year, though he should still put up decent powerplay numbers. It would be impossible not to, given the (senior) talent around him. Don't expect more than 50 points this season, despite his inflated projections this season.

Karlsson has zero goals, zero assists, and zero powerplay points in three games played as a defenseman. He also has five shots on goal, zero hits, and three blocked shots.

Brock Faber - Minnesota Wild

For the decent start the Wild have had, and all the goals they have put up (nine in two games), Faber has again been held off the scoresheet. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; Faber is an elite level defenseman whose contributions on the ice do not translate well to fantasy.

Faber is the best defenseman on the team, and has elite level deployment as a first pairing defenseman, who also is seeing special teams time on the first penalty kill unit. He should put up decent peripherals, and will hopefully work his way back into consistent time on the second powerplay unit.

Again, Faber is a great defenseman, and should be rostered in all leagues - but with hedged expectations. He is not Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, who is a scoring phenom and the next coming of Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins. He is also not Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers who will grind you down with constant physical play. Instead he is somewhere in the middle, and despite his importance to the team, should be considered a bottom elite level defenseman. 

Faber has zero goals, zero assists, and zero powerplay points in three games played as a defenseman. He also has five shots on goal, one hit, and three blocked shots.

Artemi Panarin - New York Rangers

This one is surprising. Panarin is usually an anchor for production on a team that has lethal scoring, and has recently won the President's Trophy. The Rangers are also almost always a top contender, and have a deep roster.

If Panarin can get going, it'll impact the whole roster. A reason for this is his deployment. It is elite, he is on the top forward line, and also has a cemented spot on the top powerplay unit.

Panarin has every opportunity to succeed. He is linemates with Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere, plus has powerplay time with J.T. Miller and defenseman Adam Fox.

Panarin has zero goals, two assists, and one powerplay point in four games played as a forward. He also has six shots on goal, zero hits, and zero blocked shots.

Brock Nelson - Colorado Avalanche

Nelson has been a sneaky gem for years, and sadly people caught onto this when he was traded last season to the already stacked Avalanche. The cat is out of the bag now, though, and the deal was a bit of a double-edged sword.

I am sure you are thinking: Shelmo what do you mean? Nelson went from a bubble team, to one of the best in the league - how can that be bad? The answer is simply ice time. His TOI and deployment has gone down noticeably. It may not be significant, but Nelson was arguably the best forward in Long Island, and is now a support role at best.

That's not a knock on Nelson, but he is sharing the ice with Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Makar to name a few. I do believe it'll balance out, and that his production will bounce back in no time. Even being on the ice with these guys is going to net you some points. He is off to a slow start, but I would not panic just yet.

Nelson has zero goals, one assist, and one powerplay point in four games played as a forward. He also has seven shots on goal, three hits, and six blocked shots.