NHL Players Goal-Less in 2015-16

NHL Players Goal-Less at the Quarter-Mark

There’s a fair number of NHL players goal-less thus far in 2015-16, although some are much more notable than others. Below is a collection of the players who scored the most goals last season (2014-15), that are yet to find the back of the net this year.

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List goes from lowest goals scored last season to most goals scored, highlighting the players who scored most in 2014-15. The list features a majority of blue-liners, but you’d be surprised which forwards and defense are still looking for their first goal in the new season.

Give us your feedback in the comments section and let us know who you think will go the longest without a goal this season.

stats courtesy of NHL.com

NHL Players Goal-Less (Lowest to Highest Totals From 2014-15)

Nov 16, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Anaheim Ducks defensemen Kevin Bieksa (2) looks on from the bench against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Bieksa, Anaheim Ducks

He’s not known as a goal-scorer, but consider him another contributing player to the Ducks goal-scoring struggles.

2014-15: 60gp 4g (VAN)
2015-16: 23gp 0g

Ryan Murphy, Carolina Hurricanes

The hope was that Murphy would take that next step in development, and increase his production. No goals thus far is concerning.

2014-15: 37gp 4g
2015-16: 17gp 0g

Tom Gilbert, Montreal Canadiens

Montreal doesn’t really need him to score since they’re doing so well, but Gilbert is an aging vet on the decline who was never known for scoring anyways.

2014-15: 72gp 4g
2015-16: 23gp 0g

Mar 9, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Nashville Predators center Paul Gaustad (28) skates the puck during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. The Predators won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Gaustad, Nashville Predators

A diminished role and less ice-time is the biggest factor, but the Preds could use some secondary scoring with the lack of high-end talent up front.

2014-15: 73gp 4g
2015-16: 16gp 0g

Matt Carle, Tampa Bay Lightning

His career has been a rollercoaster ride of productive seasons followed by less than average seasons. Tampa will need more production from their blue-liners overall if they want to make another run to the finals.

2014-15: 59gp 4g
2015-16: 21gp 0g

Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals

Known more for the physical edge he plays with and brings to a game, but he’s gotta contribute every now and then.

2014-15: 67gp 4g
2015-16: 21gp 0g

Apr 3, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nick Holden (2) handles the puck against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. The Avalanche defeated the Ducks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Holden, Colorado Avalanche

Fans would probably blame his goal-less season on the fact that he’s spent a lot of time with Tyson Barrie, forcing him to be more defensive-minded and aware. But Colorado is struggling for a reason.

2014-15: 78gp 5g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils

A young piece that was expected to take huge steps in development this season. The lack of goals thus far is concerning, but give it time and he should start finding the back of the net.

2014-15: 51gp 5g
2015-16: 20gp 0g

Stephen Gionta, New Jersey Devils

Gionta doesn’t get a lot of ice-time in New Jersey, but they’re going to need secondary scoring to continue their hot run.

2014-15: 61gp 5g
2015-16: 21gp 0g

Oct 13, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ian Cole (28) handles the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Montreal won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Cole, Pittsburgh Penguins

Expected to step up and play a bigger role this season, Cole has struggled along with several Pens defenseman. They’re going to need their blue-liners to start scoring to have a chance at the playoffs.

2014-15: 74gp 5g (PIT/STL)
2015-16: 21gp 0g

Roman Polak, Toronto Maple Leafs

Not overly shocking to see a guy like Polak with so few goals. He’s not known for scoring, but zero goals at the quarter-mark isn’t good enough.

2014-15: 56gp 5g
2015-16: 20gp 0g

Boyd Gordon, Arizona Coyotes

One of the league’s premier face-off men has watched his NHL role diminish over the past couple of seasons. He re-joined Arizona this season where he’s had past success, but it’s been a rough start so far.

2014-15: 68gp 6g (EDM)
2015-16: 21gp 0g

November 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Anton Lander (51) passes the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) in the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Anton Lander, Edmonton Oilers

Fans have been waiting and expecting big things from Anton Lander. Six goals in 38 games last season brought hope of a productive season in 2015-16.

2014-15: 38gp 6g
2015-16: 21gp 0g

Kyle Clifford, Los Angeles Kings

Another guy more known for what he brings physically. But those Cup winning Kings teams were all about production through four lines.

2014-15: 80gp 6g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Jordan Nolan, Los Angeles Kings

Bottom six player that gets limited minutes during a game. It’s still a little surprising that Los Angeles’ bottom six is struggling to produce.

2014-15: 60gp 6g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Nov 17, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New Jersey Devils center Jacob Josefson (16) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Jacob Josefson, New Jersey Devils

Another player that experts had pegged as due for a breakout season. Zero goals in 21 games wasn’t the plan.

2014-15: 62gp 6g
2015-16: 21gp 0g

Jay McClement, Carolina Hurricanes

Best known as a penalty kill specialist who plays in the bottom six. McClement is usually good for a goal every once in a while.

2014-15: 82gp 7g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Marcus Kruger, Chicago Blackhawks

One of the few Hawks without a goal this season, Kruger is the type of player capable of 10-15 so the goose-egg is surprising.

2014-15: 81gp 7g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Oct 16, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Michael Grabner (40) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Leafs won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Grabner, Toronto Maple Leafs

This skilled forward has always had a knack for finding the back of the net. Still looking for his first in the blue and white.

2014-15: 34gp 8g (NYI)
2015-16: 20gp 0g

Dan Boyle, New York Rangers

One of the more productive goal-scoring blue-liners over the past decade or so, Boyle is on the decline. His production continues to dip, so perhaps this isn’t a surprise.

2014-15: 65gp 9g
2015-16: 18gp 0g

Oct 17, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nick Spaling (16) skates up ice with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Spaling, Toronto Maple Leafs

Proved to be a quality bottom six forward in Nashville before being traded to Pittsburgh prior to the 2014-15 season. He’s looked good in Toronto, but can’t seem to shake the goose-egg.

2014-15: 82gp 9g (PIT)
2015-16: 16gp 0g

Nick Leddy, New York Islanders

If the Islanders have aspirations of making a deep playoff run, they’re going to need their blue-liners to add more goal production from the back-end.

2014-15: 78gp 10g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Oct 30, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard (58) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

David Savard, Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus has a ton of issues this season. We can add Savard to that list, although the entire blue-line has struggled immensely.

2014-15: 82gp 11g
2015-16: 23gp 0g

Adam Lowry, Winnipeg Jets

Perhaps the 11 goals he scored last year is too high an expectation for this gritty forward in 2015-16, but zero just past the quarter-mark doesn’t meet expectations either.

2014-15: 80gp 11g
2015-16: 23gp 0g

Dennis Wideman, Calgary Flames

Consider this one of the major contributing factors to the Calgary Flames woes this season. It’s unbelievable that Wideman is still without a goal.

2014-15: 80gp 15g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Nov 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm (43) during the game against the Dallas Stars at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Darren Helm, Detroit Red Wings

Another guy taking a more diminished role and less ice-time. He’s still coming off 15 goals in 2014-15, making this a tough one to swallow.

2014-15: 75gp 15g
2015-16: 18gp 0g

Trevor Daley, Chicago Blackhawks

Okay, so he was never going to match his 16 goal total from last season. Perhaps the 5-10 range is more realistic. But zero goals in 22 games wasn’t the plan when they traded Patrick Sharp.

2014-15: 68gp 16g
2015-16: 22gp 0g

Oct 10, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) shoots in the second period against the St Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the St Louis Blues 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Pominville, Minnesota Wild

Could this just be a case of an aging vet finally on the decline? We’ve been waiting a couple of years for this type of digression, but this goal-less streak is unbelievable.

2014-15: 82gp 18g
2015-16: 20gp 0g

Next: Radulov Could Make NHL Return in 2016-17

So which is more surprising, Jason Pominville or Dennis Wideman without a goal? Which of Pominville or Wideman’s goal production is more important to their respective clubs? Let us know what you think below.

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