Ted Hoffman
The other Rick Zombo
- Dec 15, 2002
- 29,258
- 8,686
I've watched him for 13 years and counting, and I know he'd place in the top 10-15. And it still wouldn't change the fact that his great play on offense covers up his largely unimpressive play on defense. [It would also underscore that voters put far too much emphasis on offensive stats when voting for the Norris Trophy and far too little watching games to see who actually can play defense at high levels.] That level of defensive play isn't just caused by "oh, he gets the hardest matchups." He gets abused at times by pretty average guys doing nothing special, he's prone to gaffes under just moderate pressure, and he struggles with defensive zone coverage or controlling his area of the ice such that the opposition tries to stay away from him.Im not sure if you watch him but he faces the hardest match ups and puts up great numbers. He is a great two way force and was has way more Norris votes in his career than either of those players
I guarantee that in a poll that he would place in the top 10-15 over those players
No one fears his defensive level of play by any stretch; no one is looking at him saying man, he really controls the zone and shuts things down back there. Teams don't mind challenging him, because he's unlikely to do much to thwart chances and there's a better chance he's going to screw up and give them a better opportunity. He's the classic example of "the best defense is a good offense," has been for years, and is going to be for the rest of his career; he even knows it, and he's unrepentant about it.