Gonna need some stats to back your statements up.
I see this place has finally started to question McDavid. It's only a matter of time before we start putting him in the same category as Taylor Hall lol. Attitude problems, trade him.
I question McDavid because of his gross cap hit. That's a lot of coin in one guy. Sure plus minus isn't a good stat but with the eye test it "currently" paints a poor picture for McDavids relative effectiveness.
However I am not questioning his abilities. Everyone knows he is amazing. Generational... at this exact point in time... That's actually a tough sell. So many ahead in the scoring race. So many outplaying his relative effectiveness.
If he comes back like he did last year at this point, great. But if he doesn't. That's bad.
Overall this team isnt as bad as so many make it out your be either. Right now I feel like our team is a remake of the Minnesota Wild when the only talented player they had was Marion Gaborik. A whole team coached to basically have one guy as the offensive catalyst and everyone else is coached just to clog up the game.
And as mentioned not having 3/4 of your top 4 defenders will hurt any individuals stats and eye test significantly. A true excuse for McDavid but also proving my point. One players does not make a team.
I think it's pretty obvious McDavid is "struggling" right now for whatever reason while still playing good to great hockey.
No reason to get all melodramatic and insinuate I want him traded.
I like the lines from last game. Hope Hitchcock goes back to that for at least another game. But if that doesn't work either I would love to see the big three run thier own lines. Spread the wealth out and get those guys earning thier pay.
Spooner McDavid XXX (Rattie, Zykov, Marody, whoever)
Rieder Draisaitl Chaison
Kharia Nuge Puljujarvi
Lucic Brodziach Kassian
Force McDavid to earn his pay and equally important get all 4 lines at a point where they can contribute. Play more as team.