Quote:
Originally Posted by Finger Cookin
These are the years for him to learn, when it doesn't matter if he's a defensive liability.
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Bang on. The team isn't a contender, it does not matter if he sucks at defending.
He was drafted for what he can do in the offensive zone with the puck. He isn't going to become a better offensive player by scoring 100 points for the third year in a row in the OHL, and he won't learn to defend NHL talent by playing in the OHL either.
Put him on the bottom pair to start, limit his 5v5 ice time and let him cook on the power play. Let him make defensive mistakes, he doesn't turn 20 until next year. The focus should be on putting him in positions to succeed early and building his game out from there.