On the one hand I get that playing with anyone not named Hughes is going to be like playing shorthanded most of the time. On the other hand when you are one of the best in the league, or at least paid like one, you really should be able to the difference maker yourself. Like Draisatl leads the league in goals and his regular linemates 5 on 5 are Podkolzin and Kapanen. His GM literally gave him a busting 23 years old and a waiver pick up, and his coach play him with Nurse and Stecher, and he STILL scores.
I don't expect Petey to be THAT good, but if he is completely offensively inept if not playing with the best defenseman in the league...well then his contract may have been a giant mistake that will cripple the team until 2031.