Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
Up til this year I don't think we ever thought of Brodie as a defensive specialist, but it's true. He just doesn't strike fear with hits, but as long as he plays smart position and uses his feet, he's quite good defensively. he can get physically overmatched down low, but he can make a great first pass out. Arguably his big mistakes have come when he overdoes it offensively and gives the puck up at the offensive blue line.
Gotta say, I wasn't unhappy with Gus' skating last night. The PP difference is going to be big.
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Part of that great first pass ability is just the calm and patience to make a move and fake out the first forechecker. Whether it's the reserve spin, just holding up or threatening to make either of those moves gives him so much space compared to other guys who try to force that first pass into the neutral zone that the opposing team has already narrowed down and is prepared for.
Once in a while he gets caught but most of the time it's a net positive for the guys on the ice to have Brodie being the guy to recover the puck in the defensive zone.