Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
I think, kind of like Reg, he may have more offence in him, but it’s just not second nature. He’s looking to defend instead of risk a point shot. He’s not going to drive deep like Rasmus or even Hanifin.
I’m really hoping Hanifin opens up his game more, takes more shots and joins more rushes. He’s got a ton of tools.
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When I watched Hanifin last season, especially early, you could see him skating the puck more and he unquestionably improved and played great two way hockey.
This season I'm hoping to see more of his shot - a greater confidence in the shot. I think if guys feel they don't have a cannon they can cheat themselves. It's like Brodie, he just never shot the puck which I think showed his confidence in it.
Hanifin needs to shoot more to score - I mean be deceptive with the release, really work on the accuracy. It just seemed to me he shot the puck as a last resort and just tried to flip it at the goalie hoping for tips. Obviously some shots he was able to walk in to and he scored.
It's not too dis-similar to Backlund. Backlund used to do everything right, get in the offensive zone and flip a puck on net. Once he got over playing afraid to make mistakes (confident) he took off.
I think Hanifin could have same thing - just use that shot, improve every aspect of it because overpowering goalies is not as important as getting away a quick accurate shot - with the intent to score.