Sportsnet.ca examines five struggling NHL teams on the Panic Meter
As the NHL season unfolds, several struggling clubs face early pressure. While the Chicago Blackhawks found temporary relief with Connor Bedard returning from injury, teams like the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings are struggling with severe early-season offensive and defensive lapses.
Chicago Blackhawks Find Relief in Connor Bedard’s Return
When the Chicago Blackhawks opened the season 0-3-0 and were outscored 15-5, the Panic Meter in Illinois spiked. Fears that captain Connor Bedard might miss action until November loomed large. On Tuesday night, playing as team captain for the first time, Bedard returned ahead of schedule from off-season surgery. He notched one assist to help the Blackhawks secure a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking their second victory of the season. According to Sportsnet.ca, the return calmed an otherwise tense locker room.
Bedard’s presence allowed fans to focus on emerging contributors, including rookie Roman Kansterov, who scored a pair of goals in the win over Pittsburgh. Fellow freshman Anton Frondell leads the team with six points through seven contests. At 2-5-0, the Blackhawks still require a significant upward trajectory to match pre-season expectations, but the early panic has subsided.
When an NHL team is swirling, all you can hope for is some promise to temper the panic. @Dixononsports is checking the Panic Meter in five NHL cities to get a sense of how worried everyone should be. https://t.co/6EzBWW5m0k
— https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/2110399587488006557
Philadelphia Flyers Stumble Out of the Gate with Worst Five-on-Five Metrics
In Philadelphia, the situation is markedly different. A 7-0 opening-night loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on home ice set a grim tone for the Flyers. Sportsnet.ca reported that the team remains winless through eight outings, accumulating the NHL’s worst five-on-five goal differential at minus-15. Moneypuck data cited by Sportsnet.ca places the Flyers’ expected goals percentage at a meager 34.5 percent.
Newcomer goaltender Joseph Woll has provided virtually the only bright spot, carrying a .914 save percentage across four contests while receiving a total of six goals of support. Offensively, only Christian Dvorak and Matvei Michkov have tallied more than one goal, with both sitting at two. The squad has failed to score more than twice in a single game.
Los Angeles Kings Struggle to Score Under Peter Laviolette
The Los Angeles Kings entered the season searching for offensive spark under new head coach Peter Laviolette. Instead, the team sits at 0-5-0. While the Flyers have struggled across eight games, the Kings have managed just 2.20 goals per game, putting them among the lowest-scoring teams in the league alongside Philadelphia, Calgary, and Dallas. Sportsnet.ca noted that after scoring four goals in each of their first two games, the Kings managed only one goal apiece in their subsequent three outings.
Defensive vulnerabilities compound the offensive slump. The penalty kill operates at a 57.9 percent success rate, surrendering a goal nearly half the time the team plays shorthanded. Four of their early matches came against formidable opponents in Colorado, Edmonton, Florida, and Vegas. Relief may hinge on the return of injured winger Kevin Fiala as the roster adjusts to Laviolette’s system.
Detroit Red Wings Face Roster Drama and Contract Standoffs
Detroit welcomed news on Wednesday morning that Alex DeBrincat signed a seven-year contract extension, offering a rare moment of optimism for the franchise. However, broader concerns persist. Former captain Dylan Larkin requested out of his home-state team, and a contract standoff with restricted free agent defenceman Simon Edvinsson has fueled questions regarding front-office management.
On the ice, the Red Wings managed just one win in six tries, with five of those games played at home. Sportsnet.ca noted that the franchise appears headed toward a decade without post-season hockey in the Motor City, suggesting a comprehensive re-tool is necessary.
Columbus Blue Jackets Deal with Slow Start and Coach Rants
In Columbus, head coach Rick Bowness voiced public frustration early in the campaign. Following a 7-3 home loss to the Florida Panthers on a Tuesday, Bowness used the word “embarrassed” to describe his team’s effort, echoing similar criticisms from the end of last season. The Blue Jackets hold a 2-3-0 record out of the gate.
Off-ice adjustments included shipping Kirill Marchenko out in exchange for young player Matthew Knies, and securing a new deal for top centre Adam Fantilli on the eve of the season. Despite these moves, reining Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski’s long-term future in Ohio remains uncertain as the club seeks its first playoff appearance in an 82-game schedule since 2019.
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