Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
I thought he just looked slow to react on October. He knows what to do, he just needed to adjust to NHL speed - they have to anticipate suddenly being on defence and they have to keep their gaps smaller. He seemed fine with this in his last game. I imagine WJC talent games are a lot quicker than junior.
The other thing about NHL speed is that it applies to hit avoidance as well.
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I think that is right as well, but I do think he is still tentative in his own end. It isn't about straight line speed, but just his decision making and perhaps injury concern.
Smart teams will be constantly dumping and chasing into his corner. He will need to be able to minimize his weaknesses and play to his strengths, which means partnering him with a really steady defensive force (or at minimum a very strong first pass out of the zone) will be important to his development.