I have been focusing on his defensive game because he seems to have taken a step backward in that part of his game. He was fine tonight but being on a line with Vrana isn't making things easy for him and Oshie in the defensive zone.
I’m right there with you!👍
The lack of defensive responsibility from MANY of our forwards, Has been as big of an issue, perhaps even, the biggest issue facing our team right now!!
It just has so many other negative tentacles to it, that expose, specifically, some of our worst weaknesses! This makes us easier to scout, and prepare for, from our opponents point of view!
This is why I had included Backstrom with the other three!
Ovi actually HITS people A LOT, but in a random, and many times unrelated way, relative to what’s happening on the ice!
Kuzy is very bad at checking, defensive responsibility, and showing really, any physicality to his game.
I will say, though, that for the last two or three games he seems to have a little more energy and has attempted some physicality on the boards, not necessarily with much success, but may be a flicker that he’s made a decision to try and improve in this area!
Vrana, Every few games, he looks like he’s heading evermore south, into the selfishness of deciding to give his best, on only 100 feet of ice! I hope it’s just a youthful stage, and actually I thought he had that handled two years ago when Trotz “reset” his ass!
He responded well to the discipline! He started passing more, playing more in sync, and with better chemistry on his line, and as a result started scoring like hotcakes. He stuck with it mostly last year, but it seems that a little bit of a drought for him, maybe getting to him somewhat! Who knows?
I just hope he gets back to being a more complete player!
And yes I do think that Jake’s lack of defense, puts more of a burden on Backy!
Rush
