Yeah, even this year, he's on pace for 25 goals, and he's either been playing with slumping linemates or no linemates at all for most of the year. The place where he's really down has been in the assist column. I think he needs to play with legit finishers in order to rack up assists. He's a good playmaker, but he's not a guy who's going to gift-wrap goals for people. His speed and shot, on the other hand, make him good for 25 goals regardless of linemates.
Looks like we're trying him out with Drouin tonight, which could make things interesting. Definitely a step up from Johnson's regular linemates of late, both of whom (actually, his last three regular linemates...) are AHL players on temporary call-ups.
So I guess I mean, has he struggled this year? Absolutely. But the deck has been stacked against him a little bit too. He's really not a guy I'm in a hurry to get rid of when his numbers get down, considering what he's done in the playoffs, and especially without a replacement groomed and ready.
EDIT: Johnson back with his AHL linemates. Coop gon' Coop.