Last season saw several NHL players have standout years, demonstrating significant growth and making a notable impact. However, the key question for these players is whether they can sustain their success in the 2024 season and beyond. For three players in particular, it seems unlikely they will replicate their exceptional performances from 2023.
**Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers**
Sam Reinhart’s 2023 season was a standout year, marked by a career-high 57 goals and 94 points, reflecting a classic contract year surge. This performance earned him an eight-year extension worth $69 million, securing his place with the Panthers through the 2031-2032 season. Since joining Florida, Reinhart has consistently performed well, with two 80+ point seasons and three consecutive seasons of 30+ goals. Despite his strong performance, it’s unlikely he will maintain a 50-goal pace over the next eight years. More realistically, Reinhart is expected to be closer to a 30-goal scorer with around 65 points, continuing to be a valuable top-six forward.
**Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers**
Evan Bouchard had an impressive 2023 season, doubling his production from the previous year with 18 goals and 82 points in 81 games. Playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl certainly boosts the performance of any Oilers player, but what does this mean for Bouchard’s future? At 24 years old, Bouchard is still developing as an NHL defenseman, and while his 2023 production suggests he could be a point-per-game defender, replicating such numbers may be challenging. Two factors in particular may impact his future performance. First, his power play production was notably high, with 35 points coming from the man advantage. Although the Oilers are expected to remain strong on the power play, achieving similar numbers could be difficult. Second, Bouchard’s shooting percentage surged from around 5% in his first seasons to nearly 8.5% last year. This increase could be due to improved skills or the benefit of playing with a high-powered offensive team.
**Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings**
Lucas Raymond is a promising player for the Red Wings, having shown growth with two seasons of 20+ goals and 50+ points. In 2023, he increased his production significantly, scoring 31 goals and accumulating 72 points. However, Raymond is likely to face some regression in 2024. The Red Wings have bolstered their forward lineup, potentially reducing Raymond’s ice time with the addition of veterans like Patrick Kane or Vlad Tarasenko. Additionally, Raymond’s shooting percentage jumped from 12% in his first two seasons to 19% last year, meaning nearly one in every five shots resulted in a goal. While Raymond is a skilled player and continues to develop, it may be unrealistic to expect him to maintain 70+ points in the upcoming season.