@Outlaw Samurai
I don’t think the team is being scuttled by a few players, as you put it. At least not in the sense I think you & many fans mean.
The problem with this team isn’t the depth players, who get scapegoated.
The biggest problems are they’ve gotten zero production from the very important 2C position, & their top-2 minute defenders have been turnover machines not supplying either the offense or the steady play you need from your top 2 minute defenders. Those D men are big parts of their failing PP, also.
Usually when a team struggles *this* much, it’s largely because players in key roles aren’t playing well enough, not because of the filler.
I’ll agree with you that goaltending has scuttled them on an almost nightly basis, however. (But again, that’s a key role letting them down.)
Simmonds has single handedly lost a few games. He is the only forward I "blame".
G, Coots, TK, Raffl, Lindblom, JVR, Laughton, etc. Are fine to very, very good.
Patrick has struggled with injuries and hasn't taken a step forward. I'm not worried at all long term.
Weise is even ok as a 4th line winger. He does however, stink on the PK.
Without looking closely at numbers, I bet V is about his usual self, putting up points but being inconsistent. Without PP points, he's got less total of course.
Both Provy and Ghost have had slumps. Sanheim has exceeded expectations.
Hagg is mostly a plug but ok with his limited skill set. PK and 3rd pair is reasonable for him. Gudas is fine.
AMac sucks so, so bad.
Goal tending outside of Hart is awful.
PP is awful. PK is "ok" lately. Why don't the players move on either though? They're like f***ing statues out there at special teams.
Coaching is "ok" from Gordon and brutal at special teams.
This team is also shell shocked from the lifeless Hak era.
This team also has no confidence.
A lot of the players are also playing like they expect to be traded any minute.
Future is great, I think, but painful right now.