The Isles are still losing more games than they won. If it wasn't for the OT point they'd be in pretty bad shape right now. They gotta fix the D situation and I don't think getting all our D men back will completely solve the issue. It will be better but what happened last night and all those late game collapses are warning signs that something is very wrong with the D system.
If your not getting it they lost every one of those games in which they got 1 point. That's not something you hang your hat on.
Back in the day....they didn't.
That’s a byproduct of hitting being deemphasized at the younger levels. Now, big clean hit is rare vs the normal course of the game, so it gets more attention from the players.
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind.
Sad part is really it’s Bolduc more as issue, he does everything so soft.
Why do you think that hitting is being deemphasized at the younger levels? That has not been my experience at all. I currently have a kid in youth hockey. ALL players once they go into bantams are required to learn body checking. Players have to attend checking clinics and most coaches demand it from all players. Obviously hitting from behind or head shots are not allowed. But USA Hockey definitely encourages checking.
Considering the number of goals we give up that -1 does not look bad at all.
At times. I've seen every one of his games and most nights Bolduc has been more solid than his defense partner. In terms of Bolduc's development I think he's right where he should be. He's cut down the number of mistakes in his end. Next he'll learn when to jump up on a play.
Also, it's hard to hide a defenseman when you only carry 6 per game. The mistakes get magnified because he is usually the 2nd to last guy back. And for whatever reason taller defenseman seem to take a bit longer on the curve than guys who are 6'1". Kind of like watching a young colt get used to his legs. Bolduc is 6'4". You be extra patient with a guy like that who possesses the cannon he has.
It's exactly where it's always been. He's doing a great job on offense, the PP, player management a shift that occurred not surprisingly after a number of fans booed his performance a few weeks back. Before that like everyone else I thought he should probably be on his way out if things did't change and I admit I was very vocal about it. However, clearly things on the offensive side of things improved drastically in the past few weeks and I'm in full support with what he's doing there. The D has always been a problem and I'm willing to give him time to fix this but if he can't adjust or things don't improve I don't have a fan allegiance to anyone and I would say his job should be at risk.
