Quote:
Originally Posted by Itse
If he can't break into one of the worst defenses in the league, I'd say that makes him very much a borderline NHL player.
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That's not indicative at all. Don't confuse bad team defense with a bad defensive group. Bouwmeester, Giordano, Wideman, and Brodie were a respectable top 4 group. After that, it's pretty much a coach's decision. A different coach might bench Butler and Smith for Sarich and Babchuk. Furthermore, Babchuk has received slightly over 3 minutes of total PP time this year. Only reason Babchuk is in the NHL is because of his ability to produce on the PP and if you don't put him on the PP it's only natural that his weaknesses outweigh his strengths.