Fantasy hockey is all about riding the highs and surviving the lows, and this season, some of your trusted studs have left you wondering where it all went wrong. Whether it's due to new teammates, team struggles, or plain bad puck luck, these big names have fallen short of expectations, leaving fantasy managers everywhere feeling the sting. From elite forwards to cornerstone netminders, this list dives into the ten stars who've been a thorn in your roster's side.

While a 100-point season is unlikely going forward for RNH, there was some expectation he could comfortably surpass 70 points this season. Last year, he posted 67 points, but so far this season, he's recorded just four goals and 10 assists in 27 games, putting him on pace for 43 points. That's well below expectations. While still a reliable option, fantasy managers who drafted him with high hopes are likely disappointed. Despite playing in Edmonton's elite offensive system, his current production doesn't reflect the potential of his linemates.

Since joining the Senators Ullmark has struggled with his production, a stark contrast to his dominant years with the Boston Bruins. His transition has been rocky, as the Senators' defense has allowed plenty of high-danger chances, limiting his ability to post strong numbers in wins, save percentage, and shutouts—key fantasy stats. However, if Ottawa can find its way by tightening up defensively, Ullmark could regain form. Fantasy managers should stay patient—while not a top-tier option right now, his upside remains high.

8. J.T. Miller

Even before JT Miller's leave of absence, his production was a mix of steady contributions with some underwhelming stretches, especially in goal-scoring. Being away from the Canucks only adds to the uncertainty. Miller is on pace for 70-80 points over 82 games, which is solid but for Miller it's a step back from his elite 99-point season in 2021-22 and 103-point output last year. Whatever is affecting him is likely influencing his production. Fantasy managers should still consider Miller a reliable, high-floor option, with 70-80 points and strong peripheral stats being realistic. He may not hit 100 points again, but he still remains valuable in multi-category leagues.

7. David Pastrnak

Pastrnak's scoring struggles this season are a mix of individual adjustments and team changes. With 26 points in 28 games, his production is below last year's 113-point pace. The departures of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci have largely disrupted the offensive chemistry that benefitted Pastrnak in previous seasons and the team has now taken a more balanced approach. That said, he's still a strong hold in most fantasy formats. His shooting percentage is a bit below his career average, so a rebound is expected as the Bruins settle into their new lineup.

6. Miro Heiskanen

Two years removed from a 73-point season and a 62-point pace last year, Miro Heiskanen is currently on pace for just 44 points. That's a significant drop-off for a top-tier defenseman who many expected to deliver at least 55-60 points. The talent on the Dallas Stars is elite and spread evenly, making it tough to predict who will be the top performer week to week. While it's great for the Stars' real-life success, the balanced roster is frustrating for fantasy managers trying to rely on consistent production. Heiskanen's dip in points reflects the team's depth, but it's hard to ignore the missed fantasy potential.

5. Jeremy Swayman

Heading into the season, Swayman was a Vezina contender, but his fantasy value has taken a hit due to inconsistency. His save percentage and goals-against average have been below expectations, partly due to missing training camp after contract talks stalled. This delay has left him working through kinks into the season, and it's showing. Despite a slight dip in ADP, Swayman was still drafted high because of his pedigree. However, his struggles to maintain a low goals-against average and inconsistent play, combined with the Bruins' lack of goal-scoring, have hurt his fantasy outlook.

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4. Mika Zibanejad

The Rangers are in a Wild Card spot, far from the expectations we had at the start of the season. With Trouba gone and Shesterkin signed long-term, the team's inability to score and win consistently is a concern. While Panarin is carrying the load, Zibanejad is struggling to find the back of the net. He is on the verge of his 700th career point, which could spark a turnaround in his play. The Rangers have the talent to go on a serious run, but they need to quickly figure things out before their season slips further off track.

3. Alexandar Georgiev

Alexandar Georgiev has struggled at nearly every turn this season, raising concerns for both fantasy managers and the Colorado Avalanche, who expected him to be their number one starter. His performance has been inconsistent, with multiple subpar outings. While Colorado’s offense has picked up after a slow start due to injuries and suspensions, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, leading to increased scoring chances against Georgiev. Unfortunately, he's been unable to make key saves and has already been pulled three times this season. As a result, his fantasy value has taken a significant hit, with his wins, save percentage, and shutouts – taking a nosedive.

2. Jason Robertson

Jason Robertson, usually a steady fantasy producer, has struggled with point production this season. In his first 23 games, he's recorded just five goals and 10 assists, putting him on pace for 47 points. His shooting percentage of 8.9% is well below his career average of 14.7%, suggesting he's been unlucky or struggling to capitalize on chances. The addition of Wyatt Johnston on the top line has benefitted Johnston more than Robertson, but Robertson's power-play production remains solid (three of his recent assists were on the man advantage). Despite the dip in goal-scoring, Robertson's track record and underlying stats point to a potential rebound.

1. Steven Stamkos

I could easily fill the top-10 list with Nashville's entire top-six, but that would be too easy. So, let's focus on Steven Stamkos. Fun fact: none of Filip Forsberg, Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Gustav Nyquist, or Ryan O'Reilly are on pace for over 50 points this season. Stamkos is tracking for just 38 points—the lowest of his career. While it's tempting to write him off, I wouldn't drop him just yet. He and his linemates still have the elite playmaking and scoring ability to turn things around and win you a week. It's a tricky spot—speaking from experience, I hold Stamkos in a few leagues and can't bring myself to cut bait just yet.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.