Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Yes, defense takes longer to learn, and expecting 19 and 20 year olds to not make mistakes is unrealistic.
But some context is needed here.
It's not that he is making the usual amount of mistakes for a 20 year old, it's that he makes a lot of bad decisions - especially when he is pressured.
Relative to other 20 year olds.
I agree that the tool box is there. But he is still a bit of a mess defensively.
Far too early to call him a Phaneuf. However, the risk of him Phaneuf-ing is definitely there - it's a possibility, because he does make some terrible decisions when pressured.
Time will tell, and I expect he will become a really good player. But the concerns are valid.
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I would disagree, if he were on a team like Calgary, Detroit, Islanders but on Edmonton there's a serious risk he never learns solid two way play. Keep them on the outside in the d-zone, fast breakout passes. Keep the puck active in the offensive zone, high probability shots etc.
Odds are they'll skip major portions of that in Edmonton because the coach is too busy trying to get the rest of the team focused and working hard.