Form Mikko thread:
I think it's part fatigue due to the style he wants to play and part this is who Mitts is.
I think ordinarily he's an inconsistent 60 point kind of guy at the end of the season, with multiple hot and cold streaks, but the cold streak has been longer this season, because he might have hit a wall physically trying to do too much.
I always had concerns that he seems to goes full out 100% every shift with his skating, while also having to do what's required in Bednar's system. He'd try to win battles in the corner against bigger guys, holding onto the puck and playing off the contact for his possession game, then have to skate hard on the back check later.
I've lost track of the amount of times I've seen Mitts have a taxing shift in the O zone, then at the end of his shift, have to put his head down, and hustle back to prevent an odd man rush after a turnover when he's clearly gassed. He just often looks like he's skating too hard and trying to do too much.
Props to him for caring, and putting in the effort, but It just doesn't seem sustainable over 82 games + playoffs for him. I'm not sure he has the natural athleticism required to do that consistently.
