Quote:
Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn
I'm assuming that GG likes having a right and left shooting defenseman on each pairing. So even though Brodie can play very well opposite his shot with a left handed Kulak. It would leave two righties on the bottom pairing with Widman and Engelland. Maybe in practice it was a disaster. Or maybe Widman or Engelland were not comfortable with playing the opposite side. Who knows, but something needs to be figured out.
|
What I want to know is why Brodie is finding it so hard. Playing on your strong side should make board passes easier for exits. It should make puck reception easier in both zones. It makes pinches easier. There's a reason most coaches insist on this.
I just find it hard to believe that a guy with demonstrated high hockey IQ, who makes great backhand passes, can't pass on his forehand.
Anyway, most of the mistakes I see Brodie making are decision making, not execution. Bad pinches, poor coverage decisions. Or simply getting outmuscled. Briefly in the beginning of the season, GG tried Gio and Brodie for a game or two and it wasn't good. It wasn't great all last season either.
I have thought he's skated better in the last month than ever before (this season).
The RH right side defencemen are Hamilton, Wideman and Engelland. Who gets switched to their off side in order to make Brodie more comfortable.