I think we have a few disappointing players through the first 16 games, which is part of the reason we are still floating around .500
Perry is on pace for 20 goals, and shooting at about 8%, which is well below his career shooting % of around 13%. Not sure what to make of this since his point totals are leading the team, but he definitely should have found the net a few more times. I don't this his play has been poor, but his low shooting % is disappointing and needs to correct itself if he has a shot at 30-35 goals again this season, which we absolutely need from him.
Vatanen is on pace for 5 goals (was scoring at a 10 goal pace last season, and a 15 goal pace the year before), so instead of taking a step forward and producing more with his big shot, he seems to be producing fewer goals.
During Garbutt's time with us last season (37 games) he produced at a pace that would have totaled 11 goals, 17 points over an 82 game season. He has one goal and one assist through 16 games. I'm willing to cut him some slack since he's only been playing about 9 minutes a night at even strength, but I was still hoping for a 20 point season from him as a depth forward who moves up and down the lineup. He had 67 points in 178 games with Dallas so the talent is there.
As for the players exceeding my expectations - Fowler looks to have hit another level and has been one of, if not our best, player so far. Vermette is also off to a great start. I knew he was a great faceoff guy but underestimated how dominant he is at the dot, and he is on pace to chip in about 40 points as a third line C/LW which is pretty solid