Opendoor posted a comparison of the bottom6 scoring during the 2011 run. I think it was something like 5 goals among the entire group, total. Which when compared to other SC winners fell well short, and when compared to other conference teams also fell short.
If the bottom6 gets up to the even standard levels, that's a market improvement. Be it the 4th line matching normative 4th line standards, or the 3rd line doing the same. If both lines did it, then the team is sitting in a very good position in terms of consistent scoring overall. The bottom6 is that important.
Sedin = 1g, 0a, 1p in 7 games
Sedin = 1g, 3a, 4p in 7 games
Burrows = 2g, 1a, 3p in 7 games
Higgins = 0g, 1a, 1p in 7 games
Kesler = 0g, 1a, 1p in 7 games
Raymond = 0g, 0a, 0p in 6 games
Total top 6: 4g, 6a, 10p in 41 games. 0.24ppg
Hansen = 1g, 2a, 3p in 7 games
Lapierre = 1g, 2a, 3p in 7 games
Torres = 2g, 1a, 3p in 7 games
Total 3rd line: 4g, 5a, 9p in 21 games. 0.43ppg
Toews = 2g, 3a, 5p in 6 games
Kane = 3g, 2a, 5p in 6 games
Sharp = 2g, 0a, 2p in 6 games
Bickell = 1g, 3a, 4p in 6 games
Handzus = 1g, 1a, 2p in 6 games
Hossa = 0g, 2a, 2p in 6 games
Total top 6: 9g, 11a, 20p in 36 games. 0.56ppg
Kruger = 1g, 1a, 2p in 6 games
Bolland = 3g, 2a, 5p in 6 games
Frolik = 0g, 4a, 4p in 6 games
Total 3rd line: 4g, 7a, 11p in 18 games. 0.61ppg
Clearly by looking at the two, the Hawks outplayed our players in the SCF in every facet. But can we please cut out the garbage about our bottom 6 players being the ones letting us down? When our top 6 only score at a 0.24ppg clip in the most important games of their careers, the problem is with them and not the rest of the team.
If it makes you feel better, signing Brunner will bump someone else down and hopefully boost the bottom 6 scoring due to having more talent down there. Of course, signing someone like Brunner should help our top 6 which is the clear issue since, albeit in a limited sample size, he's shown he can put the puck in the net in the playoffs.
I also find it embarrassing that in the SCF our 3rd line can score as many goals as our entire top 6, yet people still think it's our bottom 6 that's the problem. I have excluded the 4th line since it was pretty much a revolving door, but I seriously think that any argument that suggests our 4th line needs to start scoring more and that's the reason we didn't win the Cup should be laughed at, when we see our top 6ers producing like 4th liners.
To wrap it all up, this team very much could use a guy like Brunner. It's not the 4th line that's killing us, it's our top 6 not scoring when we need them to.