Based on his time on line combinations over the last two years, he has usually been saddled with Okposo/Girgs/Skinner/Oloffson. When he was given a true second line combo Peterka/Quinn/Mitts/Benson he magically looked much better and his advanced metrics looked much better (I am not an advanced metrics savant but I can understand the concepts).
The linemate argument doesn’t address what I don't like with his game. Which is his consistently poor decision making.
Plus your attempt to compare him to Mitts makes this argument even weaker.
-Mitts had his break out after Krueger got fired (20-21 season). He produced in 20+games at a 25g 50pt pace centering Asplund and pre breakout Tage.
-Following season (21-22) got hurt first game. Then came back to center VO/Asplund
- Spent the bulk of the following season (22-23) centering VO/Jost.
Re: his peers, I focus on Benson, he was never saddled with Skinner, Oloffson, Girgs or Okposo. That is impressive for a rookie to not be put in that spot. When Benson was with Krebs that was his two highest CF%, which tells me they work good together, put a trigger man on that line (Tuch or Quinn) and you could have a potent line.
To me it just seems like the coaching staff gave Krebs a game or two to go out and prove it and it takes more commitment than a game or two, but when given the chance he actually elevated his play and his linemates and the coaching staff then put him back to the black hole.
Its not remotely true he was never given a chance to prove himself.
21-22 -> He gets called up and played 48gms. Some at center but a decent amount at wing. His most frequent linemate and center was Cozens.
22-23 -> Starts season in NHL and is part of a 3 young player rotation with Quinn/Peterka. By late November he had lost the competition with Quinn/Peterka. That’s when the kid line was born and Jost was put with VO/Mitts.
The problem Krebs had was twofold. He was never going to supplant any of top 3 centers (Tage/Cozens/Mitts). But also wasnt very good on the wing. He needed to figure out how to be an effective winger. He never did.
As for getting a fair shot. Krebs got a half season head start on his primary competition (Quinn/Peterka) the following season. Then had the same opportunity they did. He just lost the battle.