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NHL Season Preview: Bounce Back Candidates in 2016-17

By Ryan Ritchie

May 18, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) during the third period of game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) during the third period of game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Season Preview:  6 Bounce Back Performance Candidates Coming Off a Disappointing 2015-16 Campaign

Next in our 2016-17 NHL season preview, the focus turns to those coming off a disappointing regular season in 2015-16. We have chosen to include younger players only, with veterans omitted for our next post.

Generally, younger players can bounce back immediately – we saw it with Nathan MacKinnon this past season. Sometimes it’s a simply a matter of making personal adjustments.

You hear the term “sophomore slump”, this usually occurs because after a year of competition, teams/players become aware of tendencies or strengths/weaknesses of an individual.

For others, they could be coming off a year in which injuries played a role, or perhaps the team just flat-out struggled on the ice.

Whatever the reason may be, there are always players hungry to redeem themselves after a unsatisfying performance.

*Note: For those who play fantasy hockey, some of these players could be bargain steals in the mid-to-late rounds of your draft.

NHL Season Preview: Bounce Back Performance Candidates in 2016-17

Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators

May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Colin Wilson (33) against the San Jose Sharks in game six of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Colin Wilson (33) against the San Jose Sharks in game six of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

After posting a career-high 42 points in 2014-15, Wilson underwhelmed during the regular season tallying a mere 24 points in 64 games. He caught fire in the postseason though with 13 points in 14 games. Look for Colin to build off a solid finish in 2015-16.

Related Story: 5 Players Headed For Professional Tryout Offer

Ryan Strome, New York Islanders

Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center Ryan Strome (18) work out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders center Ryan Strome (18) work out prior to game two of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Strome had 17 points in 37 games for the Islanders as a rookie back in 2013-14. He followed that up with an impressive 17-goal 50-point performance in year two.

Unfortunately, his 2015-16 campaign was an absolute disaster.

He hit a wall early and eventually was demoted to Bridgeport for an AHL conditioning stint. Ryan Strome saw his totals drop to 28 points this past season.

That time in Bridgeport seemed to help, and hopefully something Ryan can learn from moving forward.

Related Story: 7 Teams Still Looking For a Captain

Kyle Turris, Ottawa Senators

Feb 20, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) is named the first star for his shootout goal in the match against the Detroit Red Wings at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) is named the first star for his shootout goal in the match against the Detroit Red Wings at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

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Heading into 2015-16, Turris would have been considered as durable a player you could find.

He appeared in all 48 games during the lockout shortened season of 2012-13, and all 82 games in 2013-14 and 2014-15. He posted 58 points in his first 82 game campaign, followed up with a career-high 64 points a year later.

Unfortunately, Turris missed some time due to injury in 2015-16 managing just 57 games (30 points). His points-per-game were down from previous years, but he’s only 26-years-old, so expect him to rebound immediately.

Related Story: 5 Players That Should Score More Goals in 2016-17

Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers

Apr 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Jakub Voracek (93) during the second period against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Jakub Voracek (93) during the second period against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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After surpassing 20 goals in three straight seasons, Voracek watched his totals plummet in 2015-16.

He had 22 goals in 2014-15, and saw that number cut in half to 11 this past season. Jakub managed a respectable 55 points, but it was still 26 fewer than his career-best 81 points a year earlier.

Even star forward Claude Giroux saw a slight dip in production, but look for the pair to put up big points in 2016-17 with a full season of Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov creating extra offense from the blue line.

Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning

May 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won the game 2-1 and the Eastern Conference Championship four games to three. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won the game 2-1 and the Eastern Conference Championship four games to three. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnson scored 24 goals in 2013-14, and 29 in 2014-15, only to watch his total drop to 14 in 2015-16 – no wonder Tampa Bay was struggling to score goals for such a long time. After posting a career-high 72 points in 2014-15, Tyler Johnson saw his numbers fall to 38 points this past season.

There shouldn’t be concern here. To be fair, a large number of Lightning players are coming off a disappointing year. As this team once again cements itself as one of the higher scoring teams in the league, the production will follow.

Next: 5 New Duos That Could Impress in 2016-17

Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning

May 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) skates with the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) chases during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) skates with the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) chases during the first period in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Palat and Johnson were big pieces of that Calder Cup winning team in Syracuse back in 2012-13. This Czech winger had an immediate impact the following season with 59 points in 81 games in his first full year with Tampa Bay. He followed that up with 63 points in 2014-15, only to watch his point-per-game rate drop in 2015-16. Ondrej had a decent year with 40 points in 62 games, but there’s certainly a lot more left in the tank. Similar to Johnson, Palat’s numbers will increase with team success.

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