Six underachievers who could be the NHL's next Sam Bennett

Kirby Dach, C/W, Montreal Canadiens

The No. 3 overall pick in 2019 could potentially join his third organization as he enters the final year of a four-year contract signed with Montreal after it traded with Chicago to acquire Dach's rights in 2022. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Dach shows real promise around the net, but he labored this season with 22 points in 57 games in his first year back from a season-ending knee injury in 2023. He had to have surgery on the same knee in February. 

Spencer Knight, G, Chicago Blackhawks

Knight was once considered one of the most potentially impactful goalie prospects of his generation. In the past 10 draft classes, only one goalie (Yaroslav Askarov at No. 11 overall) has been selected higher than Knight, who went No. 13 in 2019 to Florida. Although he sports a career .904 save percentage, Knight is largely untested in only 95 career appearances.

Alexis Lafreniere, W, New York Rangers

Unlike the rest of the list, he actually has shown some real ability in the playoffs with 14 points in 16 games for the New York Rangers in 2024. The issue with Lafreniere comes down to a combination of his own inconsistencies and the Rangers' desire to change the construction of the locker room. He's one of the least productive No. 1 overall picks in the salary-cap era, but the flashes shown in 2024 were encouraging.

Vasily Podkolzin, W, Edmonton Oilers

Podkolzin went No. 10 overall in 2019 to Vancouver. The offense has never been there for the 6-foot-1 Russian as a career 22.09 point-per-82-games player, but his motor and playing style have translated well in the playoffs for Edmonton. 

Cole Sillinger, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

There's definitely some edge to Sillinger's game. The offensive results have been mixed, but he is coming off a career-high 33 points in only 66 games for a surprisingly effective Columbus team. Still, Columbus was under water by virtually ever metric with Sillinger on ice, and he was just seventh among forwards in five-on-five minutes. The No. 12 overall pick in 2021 is entering the final season of a two-year bridge deal. 

Trevor Zegras, C/W, Anaheim Ducks

Zegras is a fascinating player who took the league by storm early in his career, struggled to remain healthy over the life of his second contract and now could be a trade chip for an Anaheim team desperate to transition from rebuilding to contending. Zegras is generally known as an offensive-first player with questionable defensive instincts, but there is some edge and bite to his game.