Well they weren't going to cut Zaitsev given his contract at this point, that was pretty clear, and they've been playing JBD in tougher mins than Thomson, they seem to trust him more defensively.
JBD was horrible on Friday so comparably speaking to Thomsons game I was surprised. Just see way more potential in Thomsom. However that could also be why he was sent down. He would benefit from the minutes more in Bellville as he has much more upside.
The whole team was horrible on Friday but yeah JBD did struggle his last game while Thomson was fine.
I thought Thomson was bad last night as was JBD Friday. I’d start both in Belleville. Zaitsev needs to be waived and then sent down. Keep Larson as the 7th.
I don't know.... JBD was getting burned and turning over pucks. Thomsom was having a positive impact. Don't think the performances were anything alike. Any specific plays you'd like to point out?
That's a good thing. That's what you want from your depth d men. He jumped into the play and got some shots through.
His positioning in the defensive zone is questionable and he has trouble reading the play. His mobility helps him and he might survive at the NHL level but he’s not in our top 6.
Honestly I’d need to know how to clip videos but to summarize he winds up in no man’s land a lot, seems to be unsure of where to go and thinks rather than reacts.
Right, which is why I said he looked fine, nothing flashy but no glaring mistakes is a good thing at this stage, but I wasn't really focused on how he was positioned or read the play, so I wouldn't really take any strong sfances on how he played myself.
See that's where I think Thomson is much better from a defensive stand point. His gap control is way better mostly due to his mobility. He defends off the rush really well. He is also better at breaking the puck out. Now I think there is an argument that JBD is better at shot blocking and defensive zone positioning. But these are teachable traits. Again maybe another reason Thomson was sent down. The NHL is not a development league so maybe they just feel he needs more coaching and opportunity as a number 1 guy.
He's pretty much the same size as Thomson, just a hair taller if anything, and while Thomson is a better skater, JBD is still pretty fluid on his skates with very good lateral mobility and controls the gaps very well, sometimes I feel like we're watching different players as I don't get the sense JBD is borderline slow at all.
JBD looks smaller and doesn't have the first steps to catch up or separate that Thomson has. Anyway I think that JBD is safer with less upside. It makes sense as to why Thomson was sent down at this point. I don't think their upsides are close.
He certainly shows some promise. I guess they want to give him more time given his injury last year but I think they have Kelly penned in on that 4th line to start. Hopefully he can have a great start in Belleville. Good prospect.
They will probably play pretty opposite roles in Belleville. I think its safe to say neither could replace Zub anytime soon.
