Quote:
Originally Posted by Psytic
I feel like he can learn defense. Backlund wasn't that great for many years at 2 way play either. The issue is foot speed and the fact he is not effective offensively unless hes in the goalies grill which causes him to be injured every season. I dont know that those two issues can be fixed. Add age into the mix and I think he is still trending down. I like him I just dont know that he will have a long career at this rate.
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Foot speed is a bit of an issue on defence, too though. Guys like Bergeron and Backlund aren't phsyical but they are mobile. What it might do is limit him even more offensively, since he'll feel like he can't commit too far into the offensive zone on 50-50 plays because he is slower getting back, and he will always end up being the last forward into the other zone. I think that was a bit of an issue this year.
Monahan's defensive IQ and position once in the zone is usually pretty good, and he has a decent stick and the ability to gather pucks and clear the zone.
Lindholm's defensive play doesn't detract much from his offence because he isn't slow. Monahan is a bit different.