Quote:
Originally Posted by badger89
The common thread in the drop off in shooting % might be line mates. Neal and many of these players were 1st or 2nd line players at one point, then demoted to 3rd line. Losing PP time could also be an issue. Playing with Ryan isn't exactly the recipe for getting setup for scoring chances.
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Exactly this.
For sure players tend to have a decrease in production going into their 30s, but it is often compounded by the fact younger players at their peak push older players down the line up and take over their place on the PP.
It shouldn't be surprising news that any player will produce much less on the bottom 6 than the top 6, and with less PP time. Neal's current production is not necessarily, or even likely (IMO), an indication of his current abilities if he got called up into the top 6.
This is depth and it's a good thing. If older players are not being pushed down the line-up by younger players, then you have a problem. Sure, the older players might benefit personally by having better opportunities to produce, but it isn't good for the team in general.