It’s probably true, pushed off puck too easily in defensive zone. He competes hard, but just to small to be a strong defender. Sure if his offence was lights out, it would make up for it, but it isn’t.
I'm hopeful we start the year with no set 2nd or 3rd pair, I'd like to see Sanderson with Hamonic and Brannstrom with Holden and give each pair about 18 mins, that leaves a manageable 24 for the top pair and three pairings that can both move the puck and have a solid defensive conscious.
Sanderson and Brannstrom will both have times where they struggle so I’d imagine you have it nailed.
You lost me at "Ceci/Chabot"
As it fits into the scheme, obviously not talent level.
Because of the large differences in styles of hockey in Europe vs North America due to the rink size, many Euro players (forwards and D) play their f side as it gives a distinct advantage to their game. In a North american rink size, that advantage goes the other way, hence very few players play their off side. Caveat of course is the power play, where the style in the offensive end switches to a very Euro style 5v5 type of offense and defense scheme.
Chabot gets far more PP time. You look at 5v5 points per 60 they both had 1.1 last year. And yes Edmonton scores more but Ceci also was not on with the top scorers that much, as evidence by the fact that Edmonton scored less 5v5 than Ottawa when Ceci was on vs when Chabot was on in Ottawa (3.0 to 2.9). For someone to have a higher point share while being much more defensive minded is notable.
I did post the 5v5 numbers, Ceci was at .92 in one of his better years while Chabot at 1.06 in a pretty average year
