Josh Anderson: no NHL forward has played more than him without scoring in 2023-24

If anyone’s having a tough 2023-24 season, it’s Josh Anderson. The big power forward, who is playing just over 17 minutes per game this season, has just two points in 17 games, and can’t produce offensively.

And what’s worse, it’s not necessarily a lack of effort: he’s also very unlucky.

In fact, with a quarter of the season gone, Anderson still hasn’t found the back of the net. As much as the rest of the team tries to keep things light by supporting him(notably by celebrating his goals at training), the veteran makes no secret of it: it’s getting heavy.

And when you compare Anderson’s case to other forwards who aren’t rolling this year, it’s very, very painful for the CH forward.

When you look at all the forwards in the league who haven’t scored a single goal this year, Anderson ranks third for the most shots on goal. And in fact, his 38 shots are really in the same category as the two guys ahead of him (Rickard Rakell with 40 shots and Jordan Martinook with 39 shots).

But when you take the analysis a step further, you find that among the forwards, no player has spent more time on the ice since the start of the season without scoring a single goal than Anderson.

T.J. Oshie and Mikael Granlund spend more time on the ice than him on average per game, but Anderson has played more games than them. That’s why I talk about total time.

Clearly, then, the opportunities are there for #17, who has been really unlucky since the start of the season.

I have no doubt he’ll break through eventually, though. I just don’t know how long it will take, him whose shoulders must weigh tons and tons.

Maybe Martin St-Louis needs to re-evaluate the way he assesses him in order to shift the hurt, but one way or another, he’ll have to find a way to wake his guy up.

Because right now, I’m guessing he’s not as coveted as he was last year, when the rumours were that he could fetch Kent Hughes the big prize.

The Montreal Canadiens had a golden opportunity to receive a healthy return for Josh Anderson last season.

Now that the opportunity is lost, the #Habs need to re-evaluate how they use Anderson.

MSL did his best to get him going but it’s time to moveon https://t.co/D3Oukp7xBv

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) November 17, 2023

In gusto

– Cole Caufield is also in a slump.

– I love it.

like sons, like fathers

Mr. Guhle Mr. Slafkovsky#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/X5B3jnVPnQ

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) November 17, 2023

– Kyle Connor is on fire.

– He’s adapted his game, and it’s paying off.

– The Tigers need it.