Santa's NHL naughty list: Six players who deserve coal on Christmas

Jimmy Hascup | USA TODAY Sports

With Christmas nearly here, there is still time to end up on Santa's "nice" list as he finishes wrapping presents and packing his sleigh.

NHL players don't have that luxury: their three-day break begins Wednesday, so there's no time to change perception before the holiday. That's not good news for some who have disappointed this season. Here are six players who deserve coal in their stockings.

FORWARDS

Ryan Kesler (Anaheim Ducks): His six-year, $41.25 million extension doesn't kick in until 2016-17, but if this is a sign of what's to come, the Ducks will want their money back. Kesler has been a major part of the Ducks' woes. He has four goals and 12 points, which ranks fifth on the Ducks. Kesler and Ryan Getzlaf are supposed to be the big and mean tandem at center. Neither have met expectations. Kesler's even-strength production has been cut in half (0.7 points per 60 minutes) from last year, good (or bad enough) for 328th in the NHL among players with at least 300 minutes. His possession numbers and defensive play have been adequate, though the Ducks aren't paying him to be a specialist.

Marian Gaborik (Los Angeles Kings): Gaborik barely has factored into the Kings' early-season success. With seven goals and 12 points, you'd think he was more of a bottom-six forward than the elite offensive threat he used to be. He has posted six seasons with at least 60 points. While he's not the same explosive player he once was, his projected 17-goal, 30-point season is depressing to look at, especially when he has logged most of his ice time with Anze Kopitar. His even-strength production (1.1 points/60) is the worst of his career. The good news for Gaborik is that his shooting percentage (7.7) should rise closer to his career average (12.9), and his shot rate has increased significantly (20 over the past five games).

Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins): The Penguins captain has long been considered one of the best players in the game, so that is why we hold him to the highest of standards. But something is off this season. To say the Penguins' 16-14-3 record and sixth-place standing in the Metropolitan Division is all on Crosby is not fair, either. It is a group-wide struggle. Crosby has six goals and 22 points, though his 6.5% scoring rate is less than half of his career norm. What's worrisome is that for the first time in his career, the Penguins have both driven play better and created more scoring chances without Crosby on the ice. His tenacity on the defensive side hasn’t been Crosby-esque, either. Crosby isn't done being a star, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him snap out of this slump in a big way.

DEFENSEMEN

Dan Girardi (New York Rangers): The Rangers' reliance on Girardi, who is dealing with a knee injury, as a first-pair defenseman is foolish. They are driving play nearly 10% more with Girardi on the bench. His Corsi for/Corsi against differential is -181, the worst in hockey. Ryan McDonagh, his primary partner, is a 53% possession player without Girardi and 38.6% player when paired with him. Possession, shots, scoring chances, offensive production ... pick a stat, it’s tough to find one that paints Girardi as an above-average defenseman.

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Matt Carle (Tampa Bay Lightning): Should your most expensive defenseman ($5.5 average annual value) have no points (and 30 shots) in 31 games? Regardless if you're the best one-on-one defenseman in the game, that can't happen. The Lightning are lucky to have Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman, or else this group would be a major weakness. Carle is the team's worst possession blue liner; Tampa tilts the ice nearly 10% more when he's sitting. He hasn't been adept at suppressing shots and he has been a black hole on offense. Maybe some coal will teach him a lesson.

GOALIE

Jonathan Bernier (Toronto Maple Leafs): Perhaps Bernier's struggles are a blessing for the rebuilding Maple Leafs as it'll improve their chances of landing a high draft pick. All jokes aside, coach Mike Babcock isn't enjoying this -- 3.21 goals-against average, .889 save percentage -- from his projected No. 1 netminder. Bernier, who was demoted earlier this season on a "conditioning" assignment, started 0-8-3. In 14 games, Bernier has allowed three or more goals nine times.

Stats via war-on-ice.com and stats.hockeyanalysis.com

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