It's because LaCombe has a high IQ (aka smarts) that enables LaCombe to improve year after year. With a low IQ, then LaCombe wouldn't have the capacity to improve or improve greatly. He went to Minny to improve his defense being a converted defenseman against much tougher competition than high school players. LaCombe's defense was mostly a finished product in his junior year in college, which is why the Ducks' GM tried to sign him, but LaCombe wanted one more year, along with being a captain.
One thing that people don't know about LaCombe is that he's a left shooting player who's played his NCAA career on the right side. That probably includes you.
You're doing what other Ducks posters were/are still doing, denying talent observed when shared. I can share live observations, videos, and box scores, but Duck fans still deny the information. So you can stop lying to yourself that it's only box score scouting. Hell, even in our first rookie tournament game this year, I sharing how great LaCombe was on the ice, but others said his game was weak and even called his assists "incidental". Fans are looking for flash when I'm identifying efficiency. Everybody (except me) missed giving LaCombe the assist on the Ducks first goal, a shortie by Pitre, because LaCombe put himself into position to interrupt a pass from down low to back up to the FO dot, which caused the puck to pop over players and in front of teammate Pitre. Three games later, more and more Duck fans are jumping on the band wagon. Other players Duck fans denied talent shared by me are the drafting of McTavish and Carlsson. So what you're doing isn't new to me.
What made LaCombe's game skyrocket was after playing at the WJC-20, and getting abused in the Russian game. He lost his confidence in that Russian game, but the coaches kept putting him onto the ice judiciously here and there, including a two zone pass to spring for a breakaway goal. Instead of remaining shellshocked, he took his game to another level when he returned to the NCAA, scoring nearly a point per game. And he hasn't looked back since.
LaCombe's game is about efficiency instead of constant flash. While he does possess flash, he uses it at the right time, like Leo Carlsson. With Minty, Zell, and Luneau playing on the same ice with LaCombe, LaCombe's defense stands out far more than all three CHL d-man award winners for their respective leagues. All three CHL players are tenacious in the Ozone, but there's more to be desired in their own zone.
LaCombe's come along way since that WJC-20 Russian game. Of course, you knew that, right? No. I don't think so.
