Every NHL season there are breakouts, bounce-backs and step-backs. For this story, we will focus on the last group. Which players are primed for letdowns after impressive 2024-25 seasons? Here are five who fit the bill.

Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars forward

Perhaps we saw a preview of Duchene’s potential regression during the Stars’ playoff run this past spring, when he scored once in 18 games after hitting the 30-goal mark in the regular season. He likely will not fall off that much this season, though it is worth noting that his 19.7 shooting percentage was the highest of his career. (When factoring for shot quality, Duchene should have scored around 22 goals.)

Duchene also lost his running buddy of two years, Mason Marchment, in a trade with the Seattle Kraken, as well as linemate Mikae

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