If I said any of that about him being bad you'd have a point. I find it odd that any time you look objective about a flavor of the month player on this board it's like you insulted some posters' first born child. Honest to god it gets really old. If you can't look at a player objectively then there's no point in debating. If I'm being too harsh that's your opinion, but I have no problem expressing opinions aside from "he's terrible" and "he's just been so GOOD lately". I don't see the same from some.
As for stats, absorb all the stats you want from whatever website you choose. I see him possess pucks and the other team ends up gaining possession again, just like most or all other D we have now. If some of those aren't accounted for in an "advanced" stats round up, I really don't care. Regardless it doesn't mean he's a bad player, doesn't mean I don't like the guy or wouldn't like him to be a stalwart for the rest of his career. The entire defense isn't all that great right now and I don't think he's elevated himself above anyone else in terms of consistency. If you disagree, fabulous. It's really not a big deal. If anyone wants to take offense to my 'eh, not bad' impression of him as if he's their brother, that's their business.
It's great you have such a keen eye for objectivity and it takes unrealistic expectations to make you not want to drop your "meh" bombs.
However, I don't see anyone claiming Despres has played flawless hockey. Some people use common sense and think a guy can make a few mistakes, but play very well. Others tend to see a mistake and blow off all the other things he did right in a period, game, etc.
Despres didn't look good when he first came up after the Olympic break and I said as much (you aren't the only one who possesses this keen insight to be objective), and he was playing without any confidence, like he was afraid to make mistakes. However, in the last 6-7 games he has looked a lot like himself again and has been playing well.
Maatta on the other hand has been the polar opposite. He came out of the break full of confidence and looked good. Now, the last two weeks he has mostly looked like hot garbage, especially Tuesday night.
Despres was the best blueliner on the Pens Tuesday night. Believe it or not, eventhough he had some mistakes, his overall play was very impressive. If you disagree, whatever.
Maatta should of been the one sitting agt the Kings, not Despres. If you can't understand why Maatta getting a free pass for playing like ass, while Despres gets benched for playing well, pisses people off, that's your perogative.
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