Transition game has been terrible for a couple weeks now. Zone exits/breakouts, neutral zone puck support, inability to attack with speed, defensive formations through the neutral zone, having the right number of people back when in the offensive zone, (lack of) standing up at the red line or blue line to force plays.
That's been the biggest issue with their game of late, and all the injuries sure don't help. It's really caught up with them the last two games.
Relative to his actual level of talent, Mika is the worst player on the team right now by far. He'll shoot all day from 50 feet out, but not from the slot (where he'll try to pass). Doesn't use his wrister. Every time the puck makes it's way to him on PP1, it's a turnover. He needs to be told quite simply to shoot the puck or sit. We're a third of the way into the season, this isn't just a "slow start" - he is playing the game fundamentally differently and worse, and he's a 40 goal scorer walking around with an elite shot afraid to use it from in close and somehow seems to think bombing away from distance compensates for that.
The lines do need some juggling in the wake of injuries.
Leave the Panarin/Trocheck/Laf line alone.
Try Kreider with Cuylle and Brodzinski.
Try Zibanejad with Vesey and Pitlick and call that the third line for now.
Have Wheeler with Bonino and Goodrow/Nash. None of those guys can skate, and just try to keep that line off the ice against speed as much as possible until the team starts getting healthier.
Tell Miller everytime he pinches and gives up an oddman rush against, his next contract offer reduces by $10K. $50K if the puck goes in the net. I don't care how many goals he scores, his job is not to constantly leave his partner on an island because he tries to be fancy at the blueline with a bouncing puck, or he goes deep with no forwards anywhere near him and leaves his partner out to dry when the other team comes away with the puck.