So his lines job is to play in their own zone more often than not against the other teams best offensive players so that other lines can get the offensive zone time? Those are not sheltered minutes lol.I'm saying AA isn't having to face other teams top pairing defenders and forwards like McDavid or Draisaitls lines.
Only reason he isn't getting "easy" zone starts is so that Sheahan can win the faceoff, get the puck out and line change to McDavids line.
I say the against the other teams best offensive players because teams always put their top line on the ice for offensive zone starts as often as possible. So if AA’s line is being used in the defensive zone as much as possible it would make correlate to him starting more of his shifts against the other teams better players. Which is not lesser competition and is not sheltered minutes. It’s actually the opposite.
If you can show me that teams put their worse players out for offensive zone face offs then I’ll concede.