I don't care where he goes. Far away from Boston. 8+ years now of talking about this players potential because he drops the gloves from time-to-time. I give him some credit for standing up for his teammates.
His physicality isn't the issue. He finishes his checks consistently enough. Now most of the time these hits are inconsequential and well after the puck is gone, but he's adequately physical. He was never going to be Milan Lucic like some think he should be.
His issue has always been everything else. His first few strides are awful, always long elongate strides, not quick strides to get up to speed fast. Consistently beaten to loose pucks. Lateral movement, side-to-side agility are also terrible.
He's an OK defensive player but nothing special. His offensive IQ is poor and he's a disaster with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. No Bruins misses simple easy pass receptions like he does. He's good for 2-3 passes a game that he can't get his stick on that he should. His puck pick-ups are barely NHL caliber. Has a decent wrist shot but never uses it. I don't think he's ever scored a goal off a slapper or one-timer.
If there are teams out there who see value in this soon-to-be UFA Sweeney should be all over it. Instead he'll likely extend him because they think he fits the vision of what they want to do here.
