Quote:
Originally Posted by FanIn80
The guy backchecks like a beast. I mean, sure, he doesn't have the size to lay anyone out, but there are other forms of defence, and I would argue that he has one of the best defensive sticks in the league.
Not to mention the heart of a lion and a toolbox the size of Texas.
We need one of those AC videos on his defensive plays and his "play away from the play" plays.
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Excellent analysis. He keeps his head on a swivel in his own zone, so he's really good at keeping with his man, even in high traffic. He's so aware all over the ice. I know he's said in the past that he wants to PK, wonder if he'll get the chance, I think he'd be really, really good there.
Aside from his excellent back checking and puck stealing abilities, I think his best defensive attribute, and arguably most important given his position, is his ability to get pucks past a pinching defenseman, either by making quick, accurate breakout pass, or a subtle clearing tip of the puck. It's gotten to the point where defenders respect him so much that they pinch less, allowing him to slow the play down, work it back to the D, and give his line a change. That sort of controlled reset following a few shifts of pressure is incredibly valuable, as it can kill opposing team momentum.
I honestly don't think I've ever seen a winger do what he can do between the hashmarks and defensive blue line. That LW to C breakout pass is be one of the most difficult and important passes in today's game (especially when under pressure), and he completes it flawlessly like 80-90% of the time. He very rarely makes a bad pass from that position on the ice.
His biggest weakness from a defensive aspect is his tendency to try to do too much through the neutral zone. But almost all skill players with his sort of puck confidence have that, and it's not like Hudler / Monahan / Ferland or whoever were the most capable of puck carriers, so he's kind of the default puck carrier. This is widely known throughout the league which makes it all the more likely for him to cough it up.