Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Actually, one could make the case that he has been the defensive player on the line.
It is usually him who is the first back-checker. It is often him that is the deep guy in the corner helping the defenseman recover the puck.
This has been part of the reason that Hudler has been in a position to have a strong year offensively.
If you think it has been Monahan that has been the defensive stalwart on that line, I suggest you look a little closer.
(not trying to say Baertschi has been awesome defensively or anything, just saying he has, at the very least, been carrying his weight on that line)
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I agree with that. I also believe the reason Baertschi is being scratched is because he isn't playing a good 3 zone game. He has been very mediocre in the offensive zone the past few games, and I believe that's a big reason why he's sitting. It's not because he's not focusing on D, he's swinging too far the other way right now, and Hartley wants him to understand that he can do both at the same time, and trying to point out when to tighten up defensively and when to start free-wheeling.