He's been "fine". Sticks out to block passing lanes is still a huge thing but the defense pinches more, plays more man to man and gives up more odd man rushes because of it. Not sure if the personnel is right for this system but Pulock, Pelech, Dobson and Mayfield seem to be adjusting well, though the first 10-15 games Pelech in particular looked awful. Romanov is having some adjustment pains but Aho has become a legitimate d-man, though small and in the 6th spot. Dobson seems to be more active but he's having problems defensively.
Offensively it's the same team, led by Barzal and Nelson with the occasional bursts of goal-scoring from Lee and Wahlstrom. Pageau's line being effective is huge for the team. Fourth line has been much better than they were last year but they're always an injury away from being out of sorts.
I hate the small box PK but that was a Trotz thing. Started off awesomely but had a brutal stretch the last 10 games or so. PP seems a little more effective but it was "coming around" the second half of last season.
Guess I would grade him a B or B-.
Thankfully Sorokin and Varlamov have held the fort during the first 30 games but they're going to need to clean up defensively if they're going to make the playoffs.
A goal-scoring wing would be great, though we've been saying this since the 2018 offseason...
