Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
I'm not arguing that Brodie has been anything better than slightly-above-average in general, and that his (terrible) mistakes often seem to overshadow his otherwise steady play.
I'm arguing that Hanifin is much, much worse and should sit first.
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Leave it to CP to have hyperbole-ridden takes.
- Yes, indeed Hanifin had a bad game. He is still a player who gives this team its best chance to win, as evidenced by his feed to Neal which should have been goal. Sitting him is absurd. If he has struggled, it's because his partner is a rookie and he's not ready to fully carry a pair. As much as I think Hamonic's an overrated player, he's presently still presently the fourth best defenseman on this team and Hanifin needs that stability and veteran savvy to trust his own gap control. That's not to say Andersson isn't ready, but he too needs a steady, older partner.
- Brodie did not have a bad game. The refs jobbed him on a penalty but he was actually one of the few players who came to play. And people acting like he is garbage are getting tired.
- Neal also did not have a terrible game and he hasn't been that bad to start the season either. Not scoring on chances is far preferable to not getting chances at all because you suck and for that reason he's not Troy Brouwer. He's a tad bit slow but he wins puck battles and makes good plays, reads off his linemates, gets open, etc. If he needs anything, it's probably a better power play setup that plays to his strengths. I do think that line needs a different look than Derek Ryan. For all the centers that have been tried there - Jankowski, Dube, Ryan.. there's one obvious choice, Sam Bennett and then have Czarnik or Dube be the LW.