I guess I just don't see Foegele as being known for his defense either. Foegele and Athanasiou are very similar players from what I've seen. Big bodied forwards who skate well and generate most of their offense off the rush while being average in the defensive zone. In my mind swapping Foegele for Athanasiou is a net even defensively while increasing the scoring potential of that line off the rush significantly.
It's a fine argument to point to Athanasiou's -45 last year on the worst team in the league but I think it would also be fair to point out that Foegele had a team worst -17 in 2018-19 which was significantly worse than the next lowest (Wallmark at -8) on a team that was majorily in the + territory. The two have similar deficiencies while Athanasiou is clearly a couple tiers higher in finishing ability.
How much of Foegele looking competent on a checking line is being next to the likes of Jordan Staal and how much of Athanasiou looking poor defensively is being on the worst roster in the NHL?
I don't really agree with this at all. Foegele goes 100 MPH and many times because of it makes an ill advised play which can lead to a defensive lapse. I think his brain doesn't always keep up with his feet, but IMO, he was much better and more in control this year than last year. He was all over the place last year and on the edge of out of control, and I still see some of that, but it was better IMO. Maybe the game slowed down for him in his 2nd season. That said, the guy never quits and gives just as much effort in the D-zone as he does in the O-zone. He also has some good anticipation in picking off passes/closing passing lanes. To me, it's his over-exuberance and brain not keeping up with his skates that are his problem. His effort can't be questioned.
AA, from what I've seen, has that that speed/brain piece that Foegele does, but also doesn't give nearly the effort defensively as he does elsewhere. When I've seen him I get the feeling he's not even interested in playing defense and the effort isn't there. That's a complete 180 degrees from Foegele IMO. I'll take the guy that cares enough to give the effort every day of the week.
I do agree AA is a better finisher, but from what I've seen, he's a worse 2-way player.
Foegele is a high effort player who goes in hard on the forecheck and backchecks with tenacity. Rod also trust him enough to use him on the PK. He was a +22 his last year in Charlotte (17-18,) which was best out of all the forwards, and he was a +9 for us last year. He may have struggled his rookie year, but he seems to have figured it out. I wouldn't credit Staal for Foegele's competency. Athanasiou is well known for his inability to play defense. He has consistently been a minus player at the NHL level for the past 3 years and not only because he is on the worst team in the league. He is a hard forechecker, I believe, but doesn't back check or play with a high effort in the D-zone. I don't think he is the answer to any question in our line-up, IMO.
TL/DR summary:
You folks don’t want players:
But Rather:
