I’ve really cut down on hockey watching the past two season - especially this year - so I see EP play very rarely lately. But isn’t he solid defensively?
His problem defensively may be the same as Mcleod’s - he’s positional sound but isn’t winning 50/50 puck battles, which is already a huge issue on the team. We wants other guys to do the dirty work - which is usually okay when you’re that good with the puck.
I’d still give up a lot for him and continue to work on teaching these prima donna first rounders how to win puck battles and maintain possession of the puck, which they literally aren’t able to do at all.
It depends on who the coach is - I bet there would be different choices under different coaches.
Personally, it seems like Cozens is better suited for wing but I’m sure there are great arguments for the opposite.