The bottom line is that Lewis needs to produce something on offense, because he is dragging down the other wingers on every line he has been playing on, thus making the offense less effective. Yeah, he is good on D and a great PK guy, but he has to bring more to the table as a full-time NHL forward. You cannot give a guy a pass who doesn't produce something on the other side of the ice. It would be good for him to get benched for a game or two, maybe he wouldn't be pressing so much. He cannot keep the puck on this stick, has no vision, gets knocked on his butt constantly, and plays dump and chase all game long. He has the hands and speed of Craig Johnson, but a better D player than Johnson was.
Would it be acceptable to have the shortstop, who is a defensive wizz, not score one run all season? Not get one RBI? Hockey is a two-way game. Part of the reason this team had such a great run two years ago was players like Lewis and King contributing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. All four lines need to contribute. No one gets a pass. Look at the kids, all contributing in a brief stint.
I want Lewis to do well. I like his hustle and play on D and the PK. But there comes a point of no return. Every player, and I'll bet that every member of the King's coaching staff and DL feels the same way, has to contribute to the success of the team, on both ends of the ice.
