Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames
Was this a serious question? If so than I guess you've never picked up a hockey stick before. It's very difficult to saucer a backhand pass with as much velocity as Brodie while remaining as accurate as his consistently are. You are using completely different muscles.
Regarding Granteeds point, why do you need Brodie to be an elite shooter? Do we really need Hamilton, Giordano, Wideman AND Brodie to be shooting the puck from the point? Brodie will never have the shot that Giordano does and that's fine. How many goals have come off Gio's stick as a result of Brodie's backhand pass? Lots of them. They were the best D pairing in the league as a result (backed up by advanced stats).
Regarding Pepsi's point, there's a lot to lose by putting Brodie on the left side. Confidence is everything in the NHL and if Brodie stops believing in himself than it won't matter what side of the ice he's playing on. Our most defensively responsible defenseman is turning the puck over on a regular basis and any improvements have been marginal.
And please show me where Brodie said he wants to learn the left-side. He has stated many times that he prefers playing on the right side.
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Why wouldn't you want Brodie being able to become a better point shot? It is diversifying his strengths. If you have two guys on the point that can blast the puck at any time, it creates more room for your forwards. Having only one defencemen capable of shooting the puck hard and accurately makes cheating on the other point a gameplan.
What makes Giordano so good is that he is so good at everything - offence, defence, skating with the puck, passing, shooting - he literally does it all. Brodie does it all (and in some areas, better than Giordano) but is a huge step back from the other three in terms of shot velocity and accuracy. If he works on this, he becomes a bigger threat, and forces the other team to play him tighter, allowing more room for Gaudreau or whatever other forward is on the ice. It literally opens up ice. It's a really good thing.
I am all for development. This team is not experienced enough and developed enough to challenge for the cup this year, so in my opinion, development should be the main area of focus. Learning to win, learning to close out games, learning additional skills and forming chemistry with as many linemates as possible. It all helps to turn a team into a contender down the road, in my opinion.