Six Notable NHL Players Who Have The Most To Prove In 2026-27
Many NHLers have something to prove in 2026-27, but a handful of players stand out as particularly in need of proving something next year. Here are six notable players who have the most to prove next season.
Video Transcript
Mike, is there an NHL player who sticks out in your mind as one who has the most to prove this season, and why?
Okay.
I mean, the low-hanging fruit, and a, a great man once said, "Low-hanging fruit is still nutritious."
low-hanging fruit is Leo Carlsson because he's the highest paid player in the NHL, and he had 67 points last year.
I do think he's a g- number one center.
I do think he's gonna be a great player, but he hasn't approved that he is yet, and now he's being paid more than McDavid and more than, established stars who have won Stanley Cups or won scoring titles.
My honorable mention would be Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it's not because he's not earning the money.
It's because he needs to stay healthy to get the Toronto Maple Leafs back into the playoffs, and that, I'm sorry, if they, if he stays healthy, I think they make the playoffs, and if he doesn't, he's probably leaving at the end of next year or before the end of next year
