Think about this for a second....when is the last time we had a legitimate top pairing defender on this team?
I honestly believe this team's defense is better than its showing. And I honestly believe it is a lack of a structure that is causing so many of the problems.
Brian Rafalski maybe? He stayed around a bit after Stevens (maybe). Then went on to win at least one cup with Detroit.
But I really like how well Blackwood reads plays thus early in his career. I’m not sure you can teach that so much. (KK is still quite poor at it occasionally - even regularly - despite all his experience). Blackwood just seems to know where the puck is going.
He’s also looking very fundamentally sound. In technique. Good positioning and angles for a kid in his 6th or 7th game or something like that.
Of course very flexible, good balance and strength. Though his strength hasn’t caught up to his flexibility at this point when he’s still probably growing and filling out physically.
Which is why I’d like to see Hynes be careful with him at this point. You see it often with hyper flexible young dancers. Until the muscular strength catches up with extreme flexibility, they can be vulnerable to hip and back injuries in particular. They are still growing. So don’t overuse him. 2 games in a row good. Then give him some rest.
