Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames1217
Philips is not better than Gaudreau defensively and it's not even really that close.
Gaudreau is great at anticipating passes and stealing pucks. The reason Philips failed to make the Flames was due to his lack of size and his defensive play. I'm not calling Gaudreau a Selke calibre player but the difference between both players is quite substantial.
Philips has all the talent in the world but gets pushed around and has major problems when it comes to playing sound and efficient defense at the NHL level.
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"Sound defensive game"
https://thehockeywriters.com/meet-ne...thew-phillips/
I agree that Philips is small though.
It's a bit of neither here nor there, with the argument of defensive game. You're comparing a 3/10 to a 4/10 and arguing with is the 4. To say Gaudreau runs away with the comparison over defence is absurd though. Gateway barely played more than ten feet back of his own blue line until Sutter made him. Philips is much quicker on transition and the back check.