Here's an interesting thought exercise: Name the best player you can think of for whom these criteria apply.
I'll start the bidding at Teemu Selanne, who set a blistering pace at 76 goals in his rookie season, never matched that pace again, and still put together a Hall of Fame career. His rookie peak was just that high.
I just went back and looked at that draft.Anyone from the 2012 draft
Skinner definitely puts effort into forechecking but backchecking forget about itClosest comparison I can think of to Simmons is Jeff Skinner. Won Rookie of the Year, but had a major weakness to his game but he just didn't care to develop. For Simmons, its his jumper, for Skinner its forechecking and backchecking.
Skinner got traded for peanuts and the team that traded him got better for it. Would not be surprised if something similar happens with Philly and Simmons.
No mention of Drouin?
Elias Pettersson was god like before he was injured in his first season in Montreal. Is not even close to the same player he was.
How about Joe Juneau? Selanne's main competition for ROY that year and got incrementally worse with each successive season.
Ken Hodge Jr. is another guy that comes to mind. 30 goal rookie season & made all-rookie team. Then couldn't even stick in the league.
Mason and RNH were also guys that came to mind.
NHL rookies that regress year after year
Petterssons point totals improved in his 2nd year.
I don't watch the NBA, so I have no idea who or what you are talking about.