Mediocre seasons by great players

[VMBM]

You knew this was coming, right? And this time 'great' really means great.

Are there any examples of great players in their primes suddenly having a poor season, [seemingly] without any rational explanation (injuries etc.)? I can't think of any right now.

I was about to suggest Guy Lafleur's first 3 NHL seasons, but it was rather just a case of him not being in his prime yet.

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[jkrx]

Paul Kariyas AVS seasons comes to mind. Ofcourse injures played a major part here.

So Selännes AVS season then? 78 games and 32 pts.

 

[VMBM]

Paul Kariyas AVS seasons comes to mind. Ofcourse injures played a major part here.

So Selännes AVS season then? 78 games and 32 pts.

I think around that time Selänne had major problems with his knee; so I would say he had an excuse.

 

[shazariahl]

How about Malkin this season? Not sure if it qualifies, since he spent some time being injured, but I think we can all agree that coming off Art Ross/ Con Smythe performances that he wasn't at the level we were all expecting.

 

[Regal]

I'd say Jagr's 3 seasons after joining the Caps is the first thing that springs to mind. The first year he still finished 5th in scoring and 3rd in PPG in a weak season by top scorers, but his 79 points was still a huge drop from his 121 the season before, and the next two years he was basically a point per game, before then having a huge year after the lockout. Still good numbers, but not for a player of his caliber in what should be some prime years from 29-31. Though, he was clearly mailing it in.

 

[Blades of Glory]

Mike Modano in 2004.

 

[mco543]

Mike Modano's 03-04 season 14 goals 30 assists and 44 points sandwiched between 85 and 77 point seasons.

edit: Beaten by seconds

 

[jkrx]

I think around that time Selänne had major problems with his knee; so I would say he had an excuse.

Yea but Im sure he had that the season before too.. not sure though.

 

[Regal]

Mike Modano's 03-04 season 14 goals 30 assists and 44 points sandwiched between 85 and 77 point seasons.

edit: Beaten by seconds

Ugh, I forgot about that. I had him in my pool that year because he "basically guarantees you 80 points".


Lidstrom's 03-04 season sticks out as well. 38 points, after 8 straight seasons of at least 57 and regularly hitting 70, and then back to 80 the next season after the lockout

 

[Canadiens1958]

Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe, 1954-55, team scoring leader was Earl Reibel.

 

[matnor]

Lidström in 03/04, no idea what happened there. Only season in seven years he didn't win the Norris and he wasn't even close.

 

[MXD]

Not sure if they all fit the bill, but...

- Nieuwendyk's 95-96. 52games, 14 goals, 32 points, -17 in what was supposed to be his prime.
- Stastny'S 86-87. Okay, 77 pts in 64 games isn't bad, but it's really out of tune with the seasons to come. Being 2nd worst on his team with -21 (David Shaw went -35...) doesn't help either.
- Ed Belfour's last season with every team he was on.
- A bit out of nowhere, but Busher Jackson putting up a 22 pts season sandwiched between 2 40+ seasons (and outer sandwiched by 2 35+ pts seasons) is odd.

 

[JaysCyYoung]

Ugh, I forgot about that. I had him in my pool that year because he "basically guarantees you 80 points".


Lidstrom's 03-04 season sticks out as well. 38 points, after 8 straight seasons of at least 57 and regularly hitting 70, and then back to 80 the next season after the lockout

I remember this season well and falsely believed that it was the start of a decline by a decorated veteran who had accomplished everything possible in the NHL and who was 34 by the end of the post-season. Then he returned to the Wings as captain again in 2005-06, puts up the best offensive totals of his career, and goes on to win three consecutive Norris Trophies and an additional Stanley Cup.