puckfan13
Registered User
- Jan 18, 2010
- 2,758
- 2
Puck control, instincts for the game, controlling pace, using deception and all these tools to affect the flow of the game. These are his strengths, excellent feel for the game. Everything is in control when the puck is around him, makes aggressive reads on the rush defensively and pinching because he wants the game to be dictated from where he is standing.
The skating concern is real, he is a good mover and takes good routes and angles to the puck and is very agile while holding the puck but his lack of explosiveness combined with his average size is going to be a concern going forward against fast and heavy NHLers. I've also noticed he will want the puck to pop out when things get grimy in the d-zone so he can run with it, don't know how interested he is in being a "stopper". I think he has an excellent chance of becoming an NHL defenseman that can show off all his strengths in the right role and environment - he will be able to get some points and move the puck. Top pairing? I'm not so sure about that but he has many elements that could make him a solid puck-moving d-man at the next level - not sure I see the dominant 1/2 player some are mentioning. Continually receiving good coaching and development as he makes the translation to pro will be crucial for this guy in particular, if he does I think he can have very solid potential. Players like this have to take what they get at the next level and use their skills within what the game gives them - they will probably not be able to dictate and dominate completely like they have in the past with the puck on their sticks so much. Going from dictating and dominating to contributing when you can in the NHL is the adjustment.
The skating concern is real, he is a good mover and takes good routes and angles to the puck and is very agile while holding the puck but his lack of explosiveness combined with his average size is going to be a concern going forward against fast and heavy NHLers. I've also noticed he will want the puck to pop out when things get grimy in the d-zone so he can run with it, don't know how interested he is in being a "stopper". I think he has an excellent chance of becoming an NHL defenseman that can show off all his strengths in the right role and environment - he will be able to get some points and move the puck. Top pairing? I'm not so sure about that but he has many elements that could make him a solid puck-moving d-man at the next level - not sure I see the dominant 1/2 player some are mentioning. Continually receiving good coaching and development as he makes the translation to pro will be crucial for this guy in particular, if he does I think he can have very solid potential. Players like this have to take what they get at the next level and use their skills within what the game gives them - they will probably not be able to dictate and dominate completely like they have in the past with the puck on their sticks so much. Going from dictating and dominating to contributing when you can in the NHL is the adjustment.