Because hes better than staal, clawson, mcquaid, injured shattenkirk, and could be a top 4 d man if you let him play and make his mistakes and learn from them. He makes more positive plays than negative ones just like Pionk. Unfortunately there are fans that will crucify players for every mistake/ not scoring 500 goals a game. Then there are those that make out like the sky is falling every damn game. Haters gonna hate.
It's not the fans that are holding him back. At least 4 NHL coaches have been unhappy with him.