Although it may feel like we're still early in the season, it's already time to take stock of what's happening with your fantasy squad.

Some teams have already played 12.5 per cent of their season's game, which would be the equivalent of 10 games in the usual 82-game season. That's generally a good benchmark of when you should start getting worried.

While we're still dealing with small sample sizes, a shorter season means you cannot wait as long to make moves. A few bad weeks early gives you a lot less time to try to catch up.

Below are 20 players who are struggling this season. If you own any of the players on this list, I wouldn't recommend panic-dropping them, but you need to keep an eye out to make sure they bounce back. However, if you're looking to buy low, these are some of the players worth targeting.

By the way, because of the difference in the number of games played between teams, don't just look at a player's ranking on Yahoo, ESPN, CBS Sports or whatever provider you use to figure out if a player is struggling. Dallas and Florida have only played two games, and Carolina only three. The players on those teams will be ranked significantly lower than players that have played six or seven.

First, here are the “runners-up”. These guys didn’t crack the Top 10, but are in definite need of a mention…

Pierre-Luc Dubois: One goal in five games, plus a couple of benchings before the trade to Winnipeg.

Max Domi: Zero goals and two assists in six games, but could move up to the top power-play unit to replace Dubois.

Tony DeAngelo: Zero points in three games and has been a healthy scratch for a couple of contests because of defensive issues.

Charlie McAvoy: Still contributing in multi-cat leagues, but just one point in five games.

Mika Zibanejad: Two points in five games way off last year's pace.

Jason Zucker: Zero goals and one assist in six games as linemate Malkin is also struggling

Evgenii Dadonov: One goal and one assist in five games.

Nikita Gusev: His assist on Sunday was his first point in five games.

Anthony Beauvillier: Zero goals and one assist in five games. 

Carter Hart: The destroyer of sticks has allowed at least four goals in each of his last three starts, and has a 4.18 GAA and a 0.880 SV % on the season.

And now for the Top 10…

10. Josh Bailey

Many fantasy general managers were hopeful that Bailey could continue his scorching-hot playoffs into the regular season, but instead, he's struggled. After leading the Islanders with 20 points in 22 postseason games, Bailey has one point in five games to start this season. His role or linemates haven't changed, but it's infuriating considering he doesn't contribute in other fantasy categories. If he's not getting points, he's worthless in your fantasy league.

9. Alexis Lafreniere

With only a couple of exceptions, most rookies have struggled early this year. Lafreniere is easily the most noticeable, considering the hype he had coming into the season. He's pointless in five games, with a minus-two and six shots. He's averaging less than 15:36 per game while getting second power-play time. He's been shifted around the lineup but nothing is sticking. There is nothing to worry about in keeper leagues, but it's just another example of why you don't reach for rookies in one-year leagues.

8. Ryan Strome

Strome's goal on Sunday night was his first point of the season, but despite the slow start, there are still plenty of reasons for optimism. He's playing almost exclusively with Artemi Panarin at even strength (almost 90 per cent of Strome's 5-on-5 shifts are with Panarin). Strome is also on the ice for about 60 per cent of all of New York's power-play minutes. Finally, Panarin has six points so far, and Strome has been on the ice for five of them, so there's some puck luck going on there. The New York coaching staffs trust Strome to play alongside Panarin, so you need to be patient that this slow start will pass.

7. Seth Jones

Last season was a slightly off-year for Jones as he battled injuries, and he still managed to put up an 82-game pace of 44 points. This year has seen a slow start for the Blue Jackets defenseman, as he has notched only one point in six games. He's still playing just as many minutes as in years past, his power-play time hasn't been affected and his shot rate is the same as it's been the past couple of seasons. There's nothing that screams that this is a long-term issue. This is just a matter of puck luck.

6. Tyson Barrie

Barrie was touted as one of the biggest free-agent signings this past offseason, with him taking over the top power-play unit with Oscar Klefbom out for the season. However, Barrie has been a huge disappointment. In six games before Sunday night's game, he had two assists (one on the power play), was a minus-five with 12 shots, three hits and 11 blocked shots. Considering he was playing 5:17 a night with the man advantage and averaging almost 22 minutes a night, that's not good enough.

5. Vancouver goalies

Usually, one bad game can skew the numbers for goalies, but these two have been consistently bad. Thatcher Demko is winless in three starts and allowed at least four goals in each of them, capped off by a seven-spot against Montreal last week. Brayden Holtby's two wins are much better than Demko, but his peripherals (3.70 GAA and a 0.888 SV %) are awful and he has allowed at least three goals in each of his four starts.

4. Evgeni Malkin

In his 13-season career, Malkin finished below a point-per-game once, way back in 2010-11. Last year saw his highest points-per-game mark in 10 years, which would be an 82-game pace of 110 points. This year, he has started with two points in six games with 11 shots, a minus-four and one power-play point. A slow start is especially frustrating for Malkin owners, as he has missed at least 10 games in seven of the last eight seasons. When that invariably happens this year, it would be easier to swallow if has points in the bank.

3. Roman Josi

Timing plays a big role in fantasy hockey. One of the things to remember with every player on this list is that everyone goes through a few games where they don't produce. It's more pronounced at the start of the season as there are no other games to prop up the stats. Take Josi for example. He has one point in five games, which is disappointing. However, if he had one point in five games after starting with 10 points in 10 games, you would barely notice. Josi has blasted 20 shots on goal, is averaging 24 minutes a night and is a mainstay on the top power-play unit. 

2. Rasmus Dahlin

Hands up, those of you who guessed Dahlin would have been benched five games into the season? Well, that's what happened Friday night against Washington. Dahlin played 10 minutes that night, which was glossed over thanks to the Pierre-Luc Dubois benching in Columbus the night before and the rampant Dubois trade rumours Friday night. Dahlin is pointless in six games. Dahlin doesn't contribute in fantasy categories outside of points and power-play points, so it's a tough stretch when he's not producing.

1. Elias Pettersson

Pettersson finally scored his first of the season on Saturday night against Montreal, but many fantasy general managers still have a right to be concerned. In seven games, Pettersson has two points, a minus-one, 15 shots and zero power-play points. It's tough to stomach as the Canucks are tied for the league lead for games played. I've often thought Pettersson is overrated in fantasy circles (he's often hyped as a top-five player despite the evidence showing he isn't), but this slow start is the other extreme.