[BigThief]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

It’s a coachable skill - for players who want to learn. The concerns around Parekh is he doesn’t seem enthusiastic about learning that part of the game. Some players never do put in the effort to become a strong player without the puck. If they’re Karlsson-level elite at the NHL then, then it’s not a a huge problem. If they turn out to be Gostibehere-level, then it is.

https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hoc...ork-every-area

Studying Cale Makar helping Zayne Parekh work on every area of his game

“I mean, it doesn’t matter how many points I score this year, really,” Parekh said. “If I score 100 or 200, it’s not going to put me in the NHL, as long as I continue to get better away from the puck and continue to improve my decision-making, those are the biggest things that are going to help me when I try to make the jump.

“I’d love to lead the CHL again in scoring, that just kind of shows to people that I’m a very capable offensive defenceman and I can put the puck in the net when I need to. But from a development standpoint and trying to set me up to play in the NHL next year, it’s kind of doing the little things and rounding all the other stuff.”

That’s where watching a player like Makar is useful.

Him and Quinn Hughes are kind of the players you want to replicate, if possible, because they’re the best at what they do and they also do special things away from the puck, too,” Parekh said. “It was more Makar we were watching and just how he works with his stick.”

The Flames don’t feel like Parekh is the type of blueliner who ignores his defensive responsibilities to get involved on offence. Far from it, actually. Edwards was quick to point out that Parekh’s defensive numbers and analytics have been strong.