A broken thumb would absolutely impede his ability to shoot, stick handle, grab & hold.
So yeah, in a weird way it makes sense he would shy away from contact and scrums. He can't grab a jersey, can't / doesn't want to punch (not his game anyway), and wouldn't want to get whacked on his already broken thumb.
When he did get into the slot he still managed to get a few good shots off (at home against Anaheim near the end of the year for example) it was just finding that opportunity that proved difficult.
|