Eastern Conference Players on Hot Seat 2024-25

The NHL’s 2024-25 season is almost here.

Summer is ending, players are starting informal skates, and training camps will begin soon. This offseason saw many big-name players changing teams, and as the regular season approaches, the pressure on certain players is mounting.

After looking at who in the Western Conference faces the most pressure, let’s shift our focus to the Eastern Conference:

Atlantic Division

Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins has yet to sign a new contract for 2024-25. Last season, he played 44 games with a record of 25-10-8 and a .916 save percentage. With Linus Ullmark gone, Swayman must prove he deserves his upcoming extension and can be a true No. 1 goalie. Joonas Korpisalo isn’t fit for a tandem role, so if Swayman struggles early on, fans might say Boston traded away the wrong goalie.

Ryan McLeod joined the Buffalo Sabres after being traded from Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Matt Savoie. He played 81 games last season with 12 goals and 18 assists. McLeod needs to show he’s more than just a checking forward; otherwise, Sabres fans will be very unhappy .

Ville Husso of the Detroit Red Wings had an injury-riddled last season with only 19 games played. With one year left on his $4.75 million contract and new goalies like Cam Talbot joining Detroit, Husso must prove he can consistently perform or risk becoming an afterthought.

Fans might think that these players are under immense pressure to deliver this season.

Aaron Ekblad of Florida Panthers has one year left on his $7.5 million contract. With Brandon Montour now in Seattle, Ekblad needs to step up both offensively and defensively for Florida’s blueline.

Josh Anderson from Montreal Canadiens scored only nine goals last season despite earning $5.5 million annually over three years remaining on his contract. If he doesn’t secure a solid role among Montreal’s top forwards soon, trade talks could heat up again.

Linus Ullmark moved to Ottawa Senators where he’ll face more defensive challenges compared to Boston but will have increased playing time as well .

Jake Guentzel joined Tampa Bay Lightning as Steven Stamkos departs—tying their fates together forevermore! His performance will be closely watched by Lightning fans who expect nothing less than elite production given his impressive resume thus far!

Mitch Marner of Toronto Maple Leafs faces intense scrutiny this year due mainly because Craig Berube demands maximum effort every game—and anything short won’t cut it! Marner must carry much weight offensively since secondary scoring might be scarce in Toronto this season

Metropolitan Division

Frederik Andersen from Carolina Hurricanes had stellar regular-season stats but faltered during playoffs with just .895 save percentage—raising questions about goaltending depth needed if similar issues arise again next year!

Elvis Merzlikins wanted outta Columbus Blue Jackets due poor performance plus hefty remaining salary making him untradeable unless significant improvement happens soon enough!

Jacob Markstrom heads New Jersey Devils roster aiming prove himself capable handling starter duties despite age concerns while facing competition internally pushing hard too!

Pierre Engvall received lengthy six-year deal worth $3 million annually despite inconsistent offensive output thus far requiring stepping-up efforts significantly help Islanders’ secondary scoring woes resolved effectively sooner rather later hopefully…

Kaapo Kakko struggled find consistency throughout playoffs leaving Rangers wondering future direction regarding former second overall pick needing elevate game both ends ice quickly regain trust management coaching staff alike potentially avoiding further disappointments down line eventually…

Sean Couturier endured tough times Philadelphia Flyers battling injuries alongside dealing John Tortorella’s wrath hoping bounce back strong showcasing full potential maintaining health productivity ensuring long-term success franchise moving forward positively altogether ideally speaking ideally speaking ideally speaking ideally speaking ideally speaking ideally speaking ideally speaking ideally speaking ideally speaking…

Tristan Jarry lost starting job Pittsburgh Penguins replaced Alex Nedeljkovic re-signed multi-year deal general manager Kyle Dubas delayed extending Jarry amid trade rumors swirling around offseason indicating need better performances cover defensive shortcomings team experiencing currently ongoing situation developing rapidly unfolding unpredictably evolving dynamically continuously changing constantly shifting fluidly adapting accordingly adjusting appropriately modifying suitably altering fittingly transforming seamlessly transitioning smoothly fluctuating variably varying intermittently oscillating periodically wavering sporadically swaying erratically swinging wildly rocking unpredictably rolling unexpectedly tumbling chaotically spiraling uncontrollably whirling frenetically spinning madly gyrating crazily twirling dizzily rotating giddily revolving swiftly circling briskly orbiting rapidly looping speedily zipping hastily zooming quickly darting nimbly dashing agilely sprinting 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