i haven't been able to watch complete games for the past few weeks, since i have been on vacation, so i have to ask this question to my fellow Ilses fans.
where do you see the majority of Barzal's errors? are his passes being intercepted? are opposing players stripping the puck from him? is he not putting in the effort? is he getting knocked off of the puck?
i do have limited viewing, so i have an opinion, but i would certainly say that it is not based on all that he's done.
seems to me that his passes are getting intercepted more. call it giveaways, whatever. i still see him working hard in both ends of the ice, and i don't see him getting stripped of the puck, or getting knocked off of it.
what does this indicate to me? that he is over-passing. he is being asked to pass it more, in order to be a better team player, but it's taking away from his strength. the strength of being 'sneaky'.
faking and dancing on his blades, twisting and turning. master of lateral movement. passing and shooting when it is unexpected (i wish he would shoot more). his abilities in these areas are what sets him apart from the vast majority of other NHL players.
so, does he need to pass more? i am not sure.
i think it is better to let him be himself, do all the things that has made him so successful, and find players/wingers that compliment his style, than ask him to change.
what do you guys think?