5 NHL Players With the Most to Prove This Season

The beauty of the NHL offseason is that everyone feels like they are on even footing. Granted, some teams have higher expectations than others but hope springs eternal. Whether some of the teams further down the list can make an impact depends on a few key players.

Five players, in particular, have quite a bit more to prove than their peers. Each situation is slightly different from the next. That said, each of these names could do quite a bit to alleviate the pressure and provide much-needed confidence to their clubs.

Bowen Byram, D, Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks have a lot of talent, enough on paper to make a run at the playoffs. A big piece of that puzzle will be Byram, who was acquired in the blockbuster of the summer and then given an extension that will pay him $12.5 million per season beginning in 2027-28.

Byram is a tremendous skater and has done well offensively in a No.3/4 role. His defensive numbers will more than likely suffer in an elevated role, but if he can help boost a putrid power play and improve one of the worst backend groups in the league in terms of points, it would be a major win for the Blackhawks and show that he is ready to at least be considered as a No.1 defenseman.

Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

The past two seasons have been a major struggle for Matthews. In 2023-24, he scored 69 goals and had 107 points; he has combined for just 60 goals across 127 games since. Injuries have played a role but the Maple Leafs went from Cup contender to “in transition.”

While Mitch Marner was the one sent packing, rumors have persisted that Matthews could be on his way out of Toronto. Another down season as he nears 30 will no doubt fan the flames of speculation to wild fire-like proportions. A bounce back to 50 goals is a must for “Papi,” especially if the Maple Leafs expect to get out of their transitionary phase sooner rather than later.

Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks

Carlsson became the story of the summer after a wild offer sheet saga left him as the NHL’s highest paid player (at least until Macklin Celebrini’s extension kicks in for 2027-28). Carlsson hit career-highs across the board, registering 29 goals, 38 assists, and 67 points while averaging more than 19 minutes of ice time per night.

While he remains on the verge of superstardom, Carlsson now has the weight of an $18 million AAV on his shoulders. Unless he challenges for the Art Ross and Hart Trophy, there will be criticisms. Even still, continuing his progression while hitting 30+ goals and 80+ points would go a long way to silencing those critics.

Simon Nemec, D, Calgary Flames

When he was taken with the second pick in 2022, Simon Nemec was expected to be a franchise-caliber defenseman. Though he showed marked progression as a 21-year-old in 2025-26, he was still a long way from fulfilling that promise. Facing restricted free agency, the New Jersey Devils chose to trade him to the Calgary Flames instead of pay for more promise.

Nemec is the Flame with the most to prove in the coming season. He received a five-year, $36.25 million contract from Calgary but now has to prove that he can be a top-pairing defenseman. He projects as a high-end offensive defenseman but will need to show more in his own zone to justify his new contract.

Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils

The fourth overall pick in 2021 and one of the vaunted Hughes Brothers, Luke had shown potential offensively but appeared to take a step back when handed a larger role in 2025-26. He was even tied to rumors of a benching before ultimately missing the end of the season due to injury.

Hughes is no doubt criticized so heavily because of his seven-year, $63 million deal (he is tied for 13^th in terms of cap hit among defensemen in 2026-27 with a $9 million AAV). He has not performed like the top-pair defenseman he was paid to be. If he again struggles to take a step forward in both zones, it will leave the Devils with a potential albatross contract that could prove impossible to get out from beneath.

Cornerstones or Albatrosses?

Each of these players has either been a superstar (Matthews) or flashed the potential to be one. For Hughes and Nemec, the belief that defensemen take longer to develop is something to consider but both have been around for at least three seasons already.

The Flames are still in the heart of a rebuild, but the other four teams will be looking to make it to the playoffs. Each player listed will be a crucial factor in their success or failure; a letdown season from any of them will create some serious discomfort within those front offices.