Still. The only argument that one has to make in defense of Eberle here is 13 points, 17 games, -3. Regardless of if those points are the difference between him and Yakupov, as Replacement mentioned, that's a good thing. I don't see how you can use that in an argument against him, lol... the only way you get +'s is by getting points. If Yak can't get those points to increase his +-, it's not Eb's fault.
This whole elitist looking down at assists thing needs to stop. If Ebs has ten assists, then good on him. Do people see Thornton (yes, I know, bad comp, cause he's a beast) as less of a player because 75% of his points come as assists? No, he's one of the best playmakers. Even secondary assists. How often do we see even the third last person to touch the puck being the real reason someone scores a goal, but they get no accolades on the score sheet? Saying someone's point totals are less impressive because they have secondary assists is just a cop out and a weapon to use in your argument, which is really really weak, for anyone who understands the game and the reason they have secondary assists.
Why we're complaining about our leading point scorer is beyond me. He's not our best defensive player. No. But he's one of our best overall right now, so let's not **** all over him.
Yak will find a way out of his slump. Very few players with his talent and ability spend too much longer than this without reaching a turning point, and he will get there too.
This team as a whole is what people are really frustrated at. The system is either not working, not working with our players, or our players haven't figured it out yet. Not sure which, but that's plainly obvious. Watching the game last night I was telling my brother that I could see a lot of the mistakes that we make in the Tampa team as well, but there was an obvious upper level that they were playing at. I'm hoping that soon, our team can figure out this system, and look like a cohesive unit out there for more than 5 mins a game.
Stop ragging on the players so much (especially the ones who are contributing to our team competing in games) when it's the team as a whole that's having issues.