You do realise that Eberle is still leading the AHL in scoring while Taylor Hall is only 5 points out of the top 20 despite only playing 26 games. Combined they averaged well over a goal a game. What did you expect they would do in the AHL?
Since my own thoughts were quoted I'll respond. What did I expect? Some of the best young players on Earth to start learning something other than what they came to the party with. Hall, Eberle, all 3rd year now, elite players, and not showing much new wrinkles that they hadn't earlier. In Eberle's case this year representing a profound regression in production, play, and focus.
I expect them to execute a cycle more often and be patient working it more of the time then looking and forcing the one perfect pass through traffic.
I want anything better than the deplorable breakout that this topline has been exhibiting. For a player on this line to actually consistently gain blue line, remain in control, and maintain possession. This line is good when they get setup in the offensive end. But not so good at getting there.
I want better puck support between forwards and D and between linemates. I want short passes if they are there and moving and finding open ice. to that end I want less static play while the line has possession and more movement and puck movement.
When in doubt I want this line to put the puck in retrievable areas, downlow, where they can battle and work to retain possesion. So often with this line when they are pressured they make a low % play just content to turn the puck over. The first line is not effective at simply putting the puck deep and peeling back. It isn't their strength. This is a line better with the puck than without. When in doubt make the play that retains the puck. This is not the focus of this line nearly enough. Obviously I'm not saying pass up scoring chances but I'm saying pass up that chronic tendency this line has to force plays that are not there. Its rarely a bad move to make a safer play and retain puck.
In short I want this line to redefine their game and add to it. Which they are supposed to be doing. NHL adjustments occur, and no doubt there has been scouting adjustments of our top players. Theres no such thing as a sophomore jinx, its learning how to respont to the tactics teams employ against you. Which this topline should be capable of doing.
I'll ask one question here anybody can consider. How many times did the topline make the LA Kings look like the relatively slow team they are? On our own ice? We're not even playing to our speed/skill strenths in a game like this. Not letting the puck move quickly, not finding open ice, not tiring out the opponent chasing us. For some reason we attempted to beat LA at their own game.
