Walking the tightrope of expectations might be the most difficult part of the job for NHL scorers.
Ales Hemsky has been dealing with that since signing a three-year free agent contract with the Stars that averages $4 million a season, and he hasn't always done a very good job.
Hemsky last season dealt with hip pain, and that helped limit him to 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 76 games. After off-season hip surgery, Hemsky got off to a great start this season and then hit a massive slump. That created self-doubt and pressure, and it made him sink deeper into the quicksand.