This is against the grain here, but I much preferred Brodie's vision and playmaking over Hamilton's. If there is a single defencemen on this team that I want carrying the puck up the ice, it is Brodie. He just needs a new coach IMO. I think he is way more dynamic, but his confidence has absolutely been crushed these past two seasons. If he can get back to form, magic will happen again. Hamilton makes for a better option as the trailer, Brodie makes for the better option in carrying the puck up ice, attacking the net, and creating a play.
Hamilton has a fantastic shot and has really strong skating ability. He just almost seems lazy at times in the defensive zone, and to me this is an unacceptable trait as a defencemen. There is absolutely no denying his offensive prowess though - his shot is indeed filthy. I wish he would be a bit more choosey with it - he takes a tonne of low percentage shots from a distance with no screens and the goalie set, and ends up killing the zone time. If he just becomes a bit more patient, I think he could put up even more goals/points.
With that being said, I do think that Hamilton has gotten better defensively over the last few seasons overall - it is just his propensity for making what I infer to be 'lazy' penalties still occurs too often. I wouldn't complain if they were the 'over-aggressive' penalties - cross-checking, roughing, etc., - make the forwards pay. However, the stick work (slashing, hooking, tripping) and the holding are all due to him being out of position (not reading the play? not engaged?) or not reacting quick enough.
In my opinion, the Flames should stand pat with their defence this year, and see what a new coach and system can do. Fix the transition (speed it up like they used to play under Hartley, or how even Darryl Sutter stated you need to play now in the NHL), and work on the finer points of defending in practice. This defensive group can push this team hard IMO.
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