RD Logan Hensler - USNTDP, USHL (2025 Draft)

[DigitalBoldy]

Just an FYI, Big-10+ has a “condensed game” option that runs about 20-25 mins long and shows pretty much all shots on goal but definitely all high-danger chances and goals scored. I just spent the morning watching the games I missed, and you’re opinion that Hensler is a “detriment” on defense and responsible for “a ton” of mistakes was gross over-exaggeration and in some games not even factually correct.

I get you’re a STH, but I don’t agree with your assessment at all. As in, completely disagree with pretty much everything. Has he had bad shifts? Of course. But my takeaway is that he was no better or worse than any of his teammates.

Also, it’s pretty clear I’m not comparing Hughes or Werenski with Hensler beyond the simple fact that all were highly-rated defenders in their respective draft years.

I haven’t watched last night’s game but I’ll give a full shift-by-shift report on what I saw later today. I saw they got blown out so it’s more likely that everyone sucked, more or less.

You say that like it's a badge of honor. The other defensemen are not projected 1st round picks or former top draft picks. Most are long shots to be impact players in the AHL. Laatsch was/is the most defensively sound player on the team. Probably why they stuck Hensler next to him to start the year...

How do you explain this disparity:

Kehrer has virtually the same offensive impact and isn't bleeding goals against.

Anyways... It's clear, no matter what I say, that you've made up your mind. Good day.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

You say that like it's a badge of honor. The other defensemen are not projected 1st round picks or former top draft picks. Most are long shots to be impact players in the AHL. Laatsch was/is the most defensively sound player on the team. Probably why they stuck Hensler next to him to start the year...

How do you explain this disparity:
View attachment 981540

Kehrer has virtually the same offensive impact and isn't bleeding goals against.

Anyways... It's clear, no matter what I say, that you've made up your mind. Good day.

I mean, if you’re using +\- as a barometer, then share how many of his minuses were his fault. At least that’s what I’d do. My review of the second-half goals against with Hensler on the ice easily absolved him (not counting last night, which I’m about to watch). Kehrer’s good below the dots but he’s nowhere near as effective with the puck. I liked when they were paired together (the opener against PSU IIRC). Then they pair Hensler with Knox who for now is clearly overmatched at this level.

Also, Hensler as a righty has been playing the left side a lot, and with Dexheimer no less. There was a game against Penn State where the Dexheimer-Palodichuk pairing was horrible and Hastings had to put Hensler there, presumably to clean things up.

Anyway, the burden of proof that he’s terrible defensively is on his detractors in this thread. I have pages and pages and pages (and pages) of notes covering Hensler dating back to last year and never once did he seem like a liability in his own end except for the WJC, and even then it was more risk aversion (eating pucks, rushed passes, etc) than trying to do too much or being selfish.