I think this kind of undersells the talent they have up front though. I wouldn't even say they are having "offensive struggles" as much as I would say, they haven't played to their full offensive potential
I guess I would ask why you feel that way.
-Schiefele’s actually having a rebound year, as far as points production, and he’s on the wrong side of 30.
- Morrissey is having the second-most productive year of his career.
- Ehlers’ season is career typical.
- Connor’s coming off a major midseason injury and will still have one of the best goal-scoring seasons of his career.
- Niederreiter’s season has been career typical, and he is past the age where that can be taken for granted.
- Monahan has been career-typical since the trade.
- Toffoli has been great since the trade and will finish with one of the best seasons of his career.
Which of these guys is leaving something significant on the table? It’s a pretty average group offensively, and they’re getting pretty average results compared to expectations. Monahan and Toffoli give them a little more pop than they had to start, but that seems about it.
If anything, it’s a group that seems like it could easily run into slumps or injury problems. Remember this team was supposed to be on the bubble, not leading their division. Defense and goaltending have been the difference maker for a team that’s otherwise playing to expectations.