With the upcoming 2010-2011 NHL season around the corner, there will be some players that are facing more pressure than any other players in the NHL. Here is a list that of the Top #5 players that I think are under the most pressure for this upcoming season:
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Vinny Lecavalier - Lecavalier, not too long ago, was considered by many the best player in the game. Now he is not even the best player on his team. With his monster contract, new management and players in Tampa Bay, the expectations in Tampa Bay are higher. If the Lightning expect to make the playoffs, they need Vinny to produce. If Vinny produces, Tampa could not only be a darkhorse but a very tough team play against. If Vinny plays at an elite level, he could potentially put his team high in Eastern Conference standings.
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Mike Green - When looking at the two time Norris Finalist’s stats the last two regular seasons, he has been lights. However, the playoffs are another story for Mike Green. Saying Green has underachieved is pretty generous. If the Caps are going to make a big run in the playoffs, they need to Green to produce or at the very least, be sound defensively and make solid first passes for a team that is desperate need it. If the Caps have another early round exit, Green’s play could be put under the microscope once again
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Carey Price - Any goalie in Montreal is under enormous pressure to begin with, but when the Habs decided to trade Jaroslav Halak after leading them to the conference, more fire is added to the debate. Montreal fans throughout this upcoming season will be comparing Halak’s performance in St. Louis to Price’s in Montreal. If Price does not match or exceed Halak’s performance in St. Louis, Price will be the fall guy if the Habs fall short of the playoffs.
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Dion Phaneuf - Leaf fans were jumping for joy when they acquired Phaneuf. Now that the honeymoon is over, the newly appointed captain of the Leafs must lead a franchise to its first playoff appearance since the 2003-2004 season. The last couple of seasons, Phaneuf’s play has been called into question. A survey answered by NHL players in SI named Phaneuf the most overrated player in the NHL and a big reason why the Flames felt he was expendable. On the flip side, if Phaneuf returns to the 2007-2008 form that made him runner up for the Norris Trophy, Dion could be the most difficult defenceman to play against in the NHL and help lead the Leafs to a playoff appearance.
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Roberto Luongo - Its Stanley Cup or bust in Vancouver . With that mentality in mind that means Luongo is #1 on the list of players that are under most pressure for the 2010-2011 season. In the last two seasons, Luongo’s play has fell short of many critics expectations. Some people have defended Luongo by saying that the defence in front was the problem. With the additions of Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis to the Canucks blueline, that excuse is pretty much gone. If Roberto Luongo has another sub-par post season, the Canuck’s fan faithful will ultimately blame him for the team’s shortcoming. But if Roberto delivers Stanley Cup championship goaltending, he could cement his legacy as one of the best goalies to ever play the game.