5 NHL stars who will underachieve in 2018-19

4. Ryan McDonagh

It was no secret that the Tampa Bay Lightning had their fair share of defensive struggles last season, but the addition of defenseman Ryan McDonagh at the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline didn’t necessarily benefit Tampa, either.

The former New York Rangers captain signed a contract extension with the Bolts this summer, and the contract’s value and length was shocking to say at the least. The 29-year-old was inked to a seven-year contract extension starting in 2019-20 that’s worth more than $47 million.

Not only will the former first-round draft pick (2007) more than likely be traded, or bought out, before that contract expires, but McDonagh is set to underachieve in 2018-19.

At first glance, the signing doesn’t look terrible considering the Lightning are a favorite to win the Stanley Cup in the near future, and Cup contenders need to overpay for certain players. That type of circumstance is an inevitable double-edged sword for a majority of front offices shaping a contender.

Yet, McDonagh has portrayed signs of breaking down after his numerous extended playoff runs with the Rangers over the past six years. No. 27 entailed a minus rating a handful times during the second and third rounds of the playoffs, and he’ll be relied upon too often by Tampa next season.

The St. Paul, Minnesota native had a good run as one of the league’s top blueliners; however, he’s been set up for failure and will underachieve with a Tampa team still trying to sort out its defensive struggles heading into 2018-19.