The only reason he'd challenge anyone for that 6th spot of the healthy defense is his handedness--that's why he's on the roster, after all.
Watch him a bit more closely next game. He gets bullied around the net (Matthias drove off the half-wall right into the slot on the play that generated the goal), he doesn't skate with the puck, he rarely pinches, and he made one outlet pass that wasn't to his defensive partner or indirect off the boards (his second assist).
Other than physical maturity, I don't know what he brings to the game that Kundratek doesn't.
Well, every Caps D gets bullied around the net aside from Erskine, the skating with the puck comes with experience in the NHL. Kundratek was pretty hesitant himself the 1st 5 games or so.
The pinching also comes with experience. When you're called up, the last thing you want to do is cause an odd man rush.
Aside from his physical maturity, he's done a pretty solid job blocking shots. Holtby was talking him up after the Bruins game.
I know he's not Pronger,....he may not even be Corey Sarich , but if he can ease into the simple facets of the game, I like knowing someone is gonna plaster the opposing team and isn't afraid to drop the gloves, so I want him to succeed.
Too many of you are just salivating for this "kid" to fail, seems rather fatalistic and for what reason.....I've no clue.
Caps came back to beat the Bruins and just steam rolled the Panthers, and all I've read from some of you is just how inferior Olesky is and how it's just a matter of time til he fails.