Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle
I know I'm going to get my head ripped off for saying this, and I also hope I'm wrong, but I think Brodie's flaws defensively were very much masked by his offensive razzle dazzle under Hartley, or at least to us fans.
When I say that, it's not that I think his defensive flaws are worse now, it's that he's not getting as much opportunity in this system to do something amazing on offence that makes us forget or forgive some of the mistakes he makes.
Don't get me wrong, this is not me saying Brodie is no good. I still think he's a legit Top 4 D Man and one of the best value contracts going. But I do think us Fans potentially had him labeled as one of the best in the league (thus the Norris comment I'm responding too) and to be honest I'm not sure he's that elite or that he ever has been.
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I am not sure I agree.
Brodie and Giordano together were not only a very high-scoring pair, but they were one of the best shut-down pairings in the league as well. Every defencemen makes mistakes at times - you can see how laughably awful Lidstrom was at times on youtube as some forwards made him look like a total rookie. It happens.
I think Brodie consistently got the puck in the defensive zone, and then consistently did something really good with it either by skating it out, or making a wonderful pass.
Brodie this season looks more lost in the defensive zone to me. He looks like he is really finding his groove again on the transition, but the defensive side of things he doesn't look like Brodie. I do, however, think it will come.