Maybe but I try not to assume what a poster is talking about. I also think role and usage matter to expectations as well. I get frustrated by a lack of understanding of the topic (how our centers are used). It leads to poor framing of discussions.
Am I missing how the framing of the original point confuses the discussion? Mitts was expected to be an even strength producer for them. Scoring himself and creating for others. And the role he has been given, as you explained is to do that role with the zone starts he has gotten and the linemates he regularly plays with.
So for people to think he hasn’t lived up to his role seems both obvious and right on point.
Is it that important to equate 2C with the second highest TOI so far? Vs what the poster seemed to mean was expectations to start the year, particularly when the minutes difference is so small? Which is a bit of a speculation on my part.
Do we really think that Mitts wouldn’t have gotten more ice time if he was producing well? I think people would be up in arms if Mitts was on pace for 50-60 points and getting the ice he gets. This Housley would play Sobotka x amount of minutes because that’s how he wants to deploy his lines seems unlikely.
I suspect Housley would love to change his deployment a bit if Mitts was creating opportunity regularly.
I might have misunderstood.