Five high-salary NHL forwards underperforming amid injury concerns and roster shifts
Several veteran forwards on significant contracts are facing scrutiny due to inconsistent performances and recurring injuries, prompting speculation about potential trades. Players like Josh Norris, despite being a top scorer in previous seasons, have struggled with health and production early in the 2026-27 campaign. With rising salary cap space making some previously untradeable deals more feasible, teams may look to restructure their rosters around these underperforming assets.
Josh Norris, acquired by the Buffalo Sabres from the Ottawa Senators in 2024 for Dylan Cozens and a second-round pick, has struggled to meet expectations in his first full season with the team. Through 15 games in the 2026-27 season, Norris has just two goals and three points, despite playing every game so far—unusual given his history of missing 186 games over the past five full seasons since 2020-21. His $7.95 million annual average value (AAV) through 2030, coupled with a 10-team no-trade clause (NTC), makes him a high-risk asset. The Sabres’ decision to trade a younger, healthier player like Cozens for Norris reflects a prior belief in his potential, but his inconsistent health and production have raised questions about long-term value. Meanwhile, Calgary’s Yegor Sharangovich, signed through 2030 at $5.75 million AAV, has seen his role diminish after setting career highs in 2023-24. Now a middle-six forward, he faces increasing competition from emerging young talents like Jonathan Huberdeau and Sam Honzek, with Cole Reschny, Ethan Wyttenbach, and Cullen Potter expected to further limit his ice time. In Columbus, Conor Garland, acquired in the 2026 Trade Deadline for future picks, has gone 20 games without a goal and managed just one point in 13 games this season, averaging only 13:27 of ice time. His $6 million AAV through 2032 includes a full no-movement clause (NMC), but his lack of production and declining role suggest he may be a candidate for trade or buyout. The ris
The convergence of high-profile underperforming forwards on long-term deals reflects broader shifts in NHL roster management amid rising cap space. Teams are increasingly willing to absorb financial risk to shed dead weight or restructure around younger talent, especially when veteran players fail to deliver health or production. This situation could signal a wider trend toward more aggressive roster turnover, particularly among teams with deep contracts that no longer align with current team-building strategies. The case of Norris, Sharangovich, and Garland mirrors earlier instances like the 2018 trade of Jarome Iginla by the Colorado Avalanche—where long-term value was reassessed after declining performance and injury history. These players may find new life with rebuilding teams or in lower-tier leagues, but their marketability remains uncertain due to contract length and performance gaps. The NHL’s evolving cap environment could enable more creative solutions, such as trade package