Pelletier and Zary both got rocked lots, and they both came back looking hesitant. Flames need to make sure that this doesn't happen to Parekh. I believe that this is actually the biggest obstacle facing him right now at the NHL level. We all know that he has what it takes offensively to do well here in Calgary, but I do believe he has 'enough' defensive ability to not be this big liability out there, and I am sure he will improve upon this base as he plays. I actually think it is his physical development + potentially his awareness on the ice at all times that need time to adjust more than anything else.
If anything, I thought he was better defensively than I expected him to be. Perfect and steady? Of course not, but for an offensive-minded defencemen with a long history of not being a 'great defender' in junior, he was much, much more reliable than I thought he would be. He has mostly been consistently good defensively in the WJCs, to the point that I don't think a guy like Aitchenson (defensive first) was much better, or Danford either. Just has to watch out for guys looking to hit him, that's all. Got caught a couple too many times for my liking.
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