Quote:
Originally Posted by JiriHrdina
I agree. Let him figure out that side of his game in juniors, before trying to turn pro. Take the long view with him. How do you turn this guy into an NHLer 3-5 years from now, not 1-2.
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I don't agree at all.
Junior is where you learn to play defense against Juniors.
Pro leagues is where you learn to play defense against Pros.
He has the skill to play with men.
Someone mentioned above that playing with men is what made him drop around in the draft, but what does that matter? Some players looked better playing against their peers than he did against playing against men. None of those other guys who rose in the draft were playing against men. If Zboril plays in a Swedish men's league, he probably doesn't look like a top 15 pick.
If he's doing everything but defend at the pro level, he doesn't need to be in Junior to learn how to defend against junior aged players, most of whom can't translate their offense to the pro leagues (Sven Baertschi), he needs to be learning how to defend at a quick pace against bigger players that have more skill.