Pressure Cooker: Which Eastern Conference players are on the hot seat in 2024-25?

The 2024-25 NHL season is just around the corner. Summer is winding down, informal skates have begun and training camps are set to kick off in a couple of weeks. The 2024 offseason included a number of big names switching teams. Regardless of whether a player is in new threads, or they’re a veteran on their current team, with the regular season closing in, the temperature is about to rise for a number of them.

After showcasing a player from each Western Conference team who is under the most pressure to perform, let’s head east and crank up the heat:

Atlantic Division

Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Age: 25
23-24 Stats: 44 GP, 25-10-8, 2.53 GAA, .916 Sv.%, 3 SO
Contract: RFA, unsigned for 24-25

Swayman and the Bruins have yet to come to terms on a new contract, but everyone appears very confident things will get completed before training camp. With a hefty pay raise on the way, and without Linus Ullmark as a security blanket for head coach Jim Montgomery, there’s a ton of pressure on Swayman’s shoulders to show the organization he’s worthy of his incoming extension and capable of being a true No. 1 goaltender. Joonas Korpisalo is much better suited as a backup as apposed to a tandem 1-B partner, so it’s going to be important for Swayman to get off to a good start or else there’s going to be a ton of noise about how Boston traded the wrong goalie.

Ryan McLeod, Buffalo Sabres
Age: Soon-to-be 25
23-24 Stats: 81 GP, 12 G, 18 A, 30 Pts
Contract: One year remaining, $2.1 million AAV, pending RFA

After the Sabres traded one of their top prospects in Matt Savoie to the Edmonton Oilers for McLeod, a giant spotlight was installed with some new bulbs in Buffalo. McLeod was caught in a numbers game with the Oilers and now will get a chance to carve out a bigger role for the Sabres. He scored a career-high 12 goals last season and has 20-goal potential, but if he doesn’t get off to a good start and flash anything more than a checking forward’s ceiling early on, there’s going to be a bunch of pissed off Sabres’ fans. GM Kevyn Adams may need McLeod to take the next step, more than McLeod needs himself to take the next step, as there’s lots of pressure cooking in Buffalo.

Ville Husso, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 29
23-24 Stats: 19 GP, 9-5-2, 3.55 GAA, .892 Sv.%,
Contract: One year remaining, $4.75 million AAV

Husso battled a slew of lower-body injuries last season and couldn’t stay in the lineup. With just one season left on his deal and with expectations that haven’t been sniffed in Motown, the clock is ticking. It’s become quite obvious Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman wants his team to take the next step as he’s added a number of veterans this offseason. Yzerman also wasn’t happy with his goaltending depth and reshaped it, bringing in Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell. They’ll join Alex Lyon and Husso in the battle for minutes and if Husso doesn’t prove throughout the preseason he’s capable of consistent production, he could quickly become the third option and a complete afterthought in Detroit. Lyon is probably the favorite for the backup job right now.

Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
Age: 28
23-24 Stats: 51 GP, 4 G, 14 A, 18 Pts
Contract: One year remaining, $7.5 million AAV, pending UFA

With Brandon Montour taking his talents to Seattle, the stakes have risen for Ekblad to help carry the load on the right side of the Panthers’ blueline. He’s battled some horrible luck injury wise and hasn’t played more than 75 games in a season since 2018-19. The Panthers need him to step up, play top-four minutes and to be more assertive offensively. Montour played almost four minutes a night on the power play, and heading into 24-25, Ekblad should see most of these available minutes. Coming off a Stanley Cup, Florida doesn’t have a ton of question marks throughout their lineup, but if Ekblad struggles to start next season, blame may go to their defense. The Cats need Ekblad to be available and consistently productive on both sides of the puck.

Josh Anderson, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 30
23-24 Stats: 78 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 Pts
Contract: Three years remaining, $5.5 million AAV

It’s been a rough go for Anderson in Montreal, there’s no way to sugarcoat it. 20 points last season for the $5.5 million price isn’t cutting it and with GM Kent Hughes looking to push his team to new heights, if Anderson doesn’t carve himself a solidified role among their top nine forwards, he’s going to be pushed out of town. Moving him will take a heavy sweetener and potential salary retention. With a slow start to the 24-25 campaign, the heat will be cranked around Anderson’s future as a Canadien.

Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators
Age: 31
23-24 Stats: 40 GP, 22-10-7, 2.55 GAA, .915 Sv.%, 2 SO
Contract: One year remaining, $5 million AAV, pending UFA

Ottawa has been craving elite goaltending for years. While Ullmark has split time with Swayman the last couple of seasons in Boston, Ullmark’s going to see an increased workload and will be playing behind a weaker team defensively in Ottawa. With a contract extension looming, and a team desperate for someone to push them over the hump, Ullmark has a ton of weight on his shoulders heading into next season. Jake Sanderson gets a honorable mention here as well, as his role will once again increase and expectations are sky high for his development to take another step forward.

Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 29
23-24 Stats: 67 GP, 30 G, 47 A, 77 Pts
Contract: Seven years remaining, $9 million AAV

Naturally, Guentzel coming in as Steven Stamkos departs is going to forever tie the two together in Tampa Bay. If Guentzel doesn’t get off to a strong start, Lightning fans are going to be questioning GM Julien BriseBois’ decision making. Guentzel has a decorated resume, he’s performed admirably on the highest stages, so he should be up to the challenge. Anything less than elite production won’t be accepted by a fan base who witnessed a couple of bold moves by the Lightning this summer.

Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 27
23-24 Stats: 69 GP, 26 G, 59 A, 85 Pts
Contract: One year remaining, $10.9 million AAV, pending UFA

Perhaps under the most pressure of all, the heat is on Marner to prove some doubters wrong this season. Yes, it’s all going to come down to Stanley Cup Playoff production, but there’s also going to be a lot of attention on how Marner handles playing for the uber-intense Craig Berube, who isn’t going to accept anything less than 100% effort level, game in and game out. Marner’s a difference maker on both sides of the puck, and with some questions around the Leafs’ depth on the wings, he’ll need to once again help carry the load offensively as secondary scoring may be hard to come by in Toronto this season. The trade speculation seems to have quieted with training camps looming, but as we know in Toronto, that can change at the drop of a dime.

Metropolitan Division

Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 34
23-24 Stats: 16 GP, 13-2-0, 1.84 GAA, .932 Sv.%
Contract: One year remaining, $3.4 million AAV

Elite when healthy in the regular season, Andersen was a tale of two tapes once the Stanley Cup Playoffs rolled around. His .895 postseason save percentage won’t cut it in Carolina and if there are any questions throughout the regular season, it’s likely the Hurricanes would be in the market for some goaltending depth. Andersen is in the back nine of his career, turning 35 before the regular season starts, and if he doesn’t show he’s still able to at least be a 1-A goaltender, the Hurricanes won’t be interested in extension talks.

Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 30
23-24 Stats: 41 GP, 13-17-8, 3.45 GAA, .897 Sv.%
Contract: Three years remaining, $5.4 million AAV

Merzlikins wanted a change of scenery and approached the team last January regarding a trade request. His wish wasn’t granted in large part due to his performance and the money left on his deal. Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell addressed Merzlikins’ trade request this offseason and made it very clear the contract and the results don’t line up to make Merzlikins tradeable. You want out, play better, it’s as simple as that. Hockey is secondary in Columbus this season, so admittedly, it’s tough to put any type of “pressure” on any of the Blue Jackets.

Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
Age: 34
23-24 Stats: 48 GP, 23-23-2, 2.78 GAA, .905 Sv.%, 2 SO
Contract: Two years remaining, $6 million AAV, ($4.12 million Devils’ cap hit)

Props to GM Tom Fitzgerald as he isn’t afraid of bold moves. Markstrom heads to New Jersey to be ‘The Guy,’ but a slow start to the season would raise a ton of red flags and give Jake Allen a chance to push for the starter’s crease. Markstrom has to prove that, despite his age, he’s still more than capable of carrying the load. A .500 record isn’t going to cut it with the expectations for the Devils this season.

Pierre Engvall, New York Islanders
Age: 28
23-24 Stats: 74 G, 10 G, 18 A, 28 Pts
Contract: Six years remaining, $3 million AAV

Perhaps the pressure should be on GM Lou Lamoriello for handing out this kind of term to Engvall? The Swedish winger has size and speed but the offensive instincts haven’t materialized to consistent production. Engvall often sees his ice time fluctuate a ton as it’s obvious early on in games if he’s going to be effective or not. For a team craving more offense, Engvall needs to step up and be someone the Isles can rely on for secondary scoring.

Kaapo Kakko, New York Rangers
Age: 23
23-24 Stats: 61 GP, 13 G, 6 A, 19 Pts
Contract: One year remaining, $2.4 million AAV, pending RFA

While Alexis Lafreniere has taken huge strides on Broadway, the same can’t be said for Kakko. He hardly saw 12 minutes of ice time a game throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and his two postseason points left many wondering what direction the Rangers were going to go this summer. Kakko will need to show that he can be consistent on both sides of the puck and find ways to elevate his game when the pressure mounts. He’s leaving a lot to be desired so far since being the No. 2 overall selection at the 2019 NHL Draft.

Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 31
23-24 Stats: 74 GP, 11 G, 27 A, 38 Pts
Contract: Six years remaining, $7.75 million AAV

Couturier felt the John Tortorella wrath last season in what was a very gruelling year in Philly for a number of reasons. ‘Captain Couts’ has dealt with a slew of injury troubles and is hopeful he can reset himself this season. Couturier is most effective when his 200-foot game is on display and considering his contract, he’ll need to prove to management he can stay healthy, effective, and be part of the solution for the win-craving Flyers. A slow start could result in Tortorella once again making an example out of him.

Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 29
23-24 Stats: 51 GP, 19-25-5, 2.91 GAA, .903 Sv.%, 6 SO
Contract: Four years remaining, $5.37 million AAV

Jarry had a rough go last season and eventually lost his starter’s job to Alex Nedeljkovic, who was re-signed by the club on a multi-year deal. General manager Kyle Dubas took his time handing Jarry his extension and there’s already been some speculation his name surfaced in trade talks throughout the offseason. The Penguins need above-average goaltending to cover up their defensive woes and if Jarry’s not up to the task, Dubas isn’t going to sit on his hands. Nedeljkovic will push for starts, meanwhile the Pens also have 22-year-old prospect Joel Blomqvist who is coming off a monster AHL season. Jarry needs to step his game up, end of story.

Pierre-Luc Dubois, Washington Capitals
Age: 26
23-24 Stats: 82 GP, 16 G, 24 A, 40 Pts
Contract: Seven years remaining, $8.5 million AAV

While it was a match off the ice, Dubois didn’t live up to expectations on the ice for the LA Kings and GM Rob Blake decided to get out of his massive contract. The Capitals are hopeful PLD can reset himself in Washington and help lead the next wave of core talent the Caps desperately need to find with Alex Ovechkin’s career winding down. He should get nothing short of top-line minutes and if he’s not able to produce near a point a game, the doubters are going to be out in full force.

_____

POST SPONSORED BY bet365

_____

Recently by Shane Seney

• Calgary Flames to sign Tyson Barrie to professional tryout agreement
• Los Angeles Kings sign Erik Portillo to three-year contract
• Pressure Cooker: Which Western Conference players are on the hot seat in 2024-25?
• Toronto Maple Leafs re-sign Alex Steeves to one-year, two-way contract
• John Tortorella, David Quinn added to Team USA 4-Nations Face-Off coaching staff