*Note: Stats courtesy of Frozen Tools

This week we will be taking a look at some players around the league who have been struggling out of the gate. A slow start can be due to various factors, and many of these players likely will bounce back to have productive seasons. However, we will be ranking players who have disappointed fantasy managers to start the year. Here are the Top 10 Early-Season Fantasy Slouches.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67

10. Rickard Rakell, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Rickard Rakell has found some scoring success later in his career in Pittsburgh. The Penguins forward has become a fixture in the team’s top-six, routinely finding the back of the net. However, he has yet to record a goal this season and has managed only two assists. Could this be a sign of things to come for the 33-year-old?

9. Porter Martone, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

It's been a disastrous start to the season for the Philadelphia Flyers, who rattled off nine straight losses before picking up their first win of the year against the Ottawa Senators. Realistically, several players on the team could be on this list. However, Porter Martone's run to end last year had expectations set sky-high for the rookie. He was originally considered a favorite for the Calder Trophy but has managed only three points this season.

8. Dylan Cozens, C, Ottawa Senators

The Senators have been off to a hot start to begin the season, but one player who hasn’t been is Dylan Cozens. Since joining Ottawa after a trade from Buffalo, Cozens has been a consistent part of the team’s offense. However, he's managed just two assists this season. He likely finds himself on the waiver wire in many fantasy leagues as a result.

7. Lucas Raymond, RW, Detroit Red Wings

The start of the season hasn't gone as we have come to expect from Lucas Raymond. Part of this may be due to the early season drama surrounding his linemate Dylan Larkin. Raymond routinely is amongst the top point producers in the NHL, and despite his slow start, fantasy managers shouldn't worry too much about the 24-year-old.

6. Quinton Byfield, C, Los Angeles Kings

Following the retirement of Anze Kopitar, the Los Angeles Kings had a hole in the number one center spot. This almost seemed to certainly be going to former second overall pick Quinton Byfield. However, it was instead given to Alex Laferriere, who is not a natural centreman. Byfield hasn't lived up to the expectations of his draft status throughout his career. Despite being a more relied-upon player in the offense, his start to the season doesn't inspire confidence that this season will be any different.

5. Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus is another team that has struggled to meet expectations early on, and their franchise cornerstone Adam Fantilli is at the forefront of the criticism. After signing a mega-extension this offseason, carrying an AAV of 13.5 million, fans were hoping this would be the season where Fantilli shows that he belongs in the same tier as players like Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson. However, he has just three points on the year. The burden of the contract may be weighing heavily on the 21-year-old.

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4. Robert Thomas, C, St. Louis Blues

After being appointed the new captain in St. Louis, Robert Thomas hasn't gotten off to a dream start, to say the least. The Blues top line of Thomas, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Dylan Holloway has been a massive disappointment despite the team having a decent start to their campaign. It's unlikely this trend continues for three forwards as talented as they are. For Thomas, despite being in past trade rumors, it appears he's committed to remaining in St. Louis. Managers shouldn't give up on him anytime soon.

3. Gabe Vilardi, RW, Winnipeg Jets

After his breakout season with the Winnipeg Jets last season, Gabe Vilardi's fantasy stock had never been higher. However, despite the team’s success, Vilardi has struggled. Cole Perfetti has replaced him on the Jets top line alongside Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. With the Jets lack of depth up front, this doesn't bode well for Vilardi's future production.

2. Wyatt Johnston, C, Dallas Stars

Wyatt Johnston proved last season that he is one of the most capable goal scorers in the NHL, tallying forty-five markers on the year. The Dallas Stars power play was one of the most dangerous in the league, largely due to Johnston. However, this season he has yet to find the back of the net, and his lack of goal production has resulted in the Stars struggling on the man advantage. Due to how high he was taken in fantasy drafts this season, his struggles are a massive disappointment for managers early on.

1. Bowen Byram, D, Chicago Blackhawks

Bowen Byram was involved in one of the offseason’s biggest deals after Chicago acquired him for a haul from Buffalo. Byram wanted out and felt he could be a number one defenseman elsewhere. Chicago reciprocated that feeling and inked him to a massive deal worth 12.5 million AAV. However, Byram has been a massive disappointment in all areas for Chicago. He's recorded just one assist and is a minus -7 on the season. Not the dream start for the franchise's supposed cornerstone on the blue line.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67