Scoring in the NHL is enough of a concern that general managers are debating how to generate more offense.

Through Monday, an average of 5.32 goals per game are being scored this season, down slightly from 5.5 through Nov. 10, 2014, and down significantly from the 6.16 in the 2005-06 season.

It's not the numbers, but the causes of the decline that made it a hot topic at Tuesday's general managers meeting.