Matty Sundin
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- Jul 18, 2006
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He’s having a rough start but this board is usually like piranhas when that happens. I don’t think he’s elite yet, but like Skinner, he’s still young and developing into the right direction.
When will Bouchard be considered elite?
- Thread starter Tillain
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CanadianHockey
Smith - Alfie
Folks shitting on him for tonight remind me of the old vote for Rory Fitzpatrick because Lidstrom was -4 in a game video. Bad games happen, doesn't change that what he's done this playoffs has been incredible.
He benefits more from playing with Ekholm than he does from playing with McDavid and Draisaitl, IMO. That pairing's chemistry is akin to Karlsson-Methot in Ottawa.
He benefits more from playing with Ekholm than he does from playing with McDavid and Draisaitl, IMO. That pairing's chemistry is akin to Karlsson-Methot in Ottawa.
Yes but his offensive output and therefore reputation are largely built on MCD/DRAI. No doubt Ekholm helps him, he is the better defender of the two.
eviohh26
Registered User
So elite he assist on other teams goals.
HabsWhiteKnightLOL
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This has Nurse all over it again.
SeanMoneyHands
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- Apr 18, 2019
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Legend123
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- Jul 3, 2016
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He just cant defend and can be skated around easily.
He can score but thats not what top pairing Dman are mainly for
He can score but thats not what top pairing Dman are mainly for
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
While we’re pulling old references, I recall a Janne Niinimaa hype train that crashed when he got clipped repeatedly in a Finals sweep.
tabness
be a playa 🇵🇸
- Apr 4, 2014
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It sucks for Niinimaa because he played absolutely lights out in those playoffs and was one of the few Flyers who kept it up in the finals but he had those two plays. Obviously the McCarty goal posterizing him, but he was also the one that sent the suicide pass to Hawerchuk to line him up to be decked by Konstantinov lol
Agent Zuuuub
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- Jan 2, 2015
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That's the point though. This is as ideal as a situation he can be in as a player.
A stud two way defenceman who does all the defensive work AND two of the best passers let alone best forwards of the current gen setting him up and finishing his feeds.
Like he is a good player but on a lot of teams he wouldn't be able to leverage his abilities like he can on the Oilers.
He's not really a defenseman. He is a 4th forward. Good luck paying him what, $10M a year.
- Oct 9, 2012
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Oleksiak
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Bottom is that defencemen who play like that I'm their own zone don't belong in the NHL, regardless of offensive output.
Yeah, this guy is better defensively than Forsling, right.
JP Mick
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HockeyWooot
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- Jan 28, 2020
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When he learns to improve his defensive play and not serve absolute pizzas like tonight.
His offensive instincts and shot are elite though.
His offensive instincts and shot are elite though.
SeanMoneyHands
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- Apr 18, 2019
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Just saw the replay, that was a sweet assist to pass the puck right back to Rodriques on the game winner. 
People bandy about the term elite based on small sample sizes rather than play over multiple years.
Bouchard has had stretches this year where he has looked decent defensively and others where he looks awful. Before this year he was mostly just poor defensively.
The top D all have a history of playing well over multiple seasons. If Bouchard wants to join that group then he needs to continue to improve defensively and he needs another year playing at a top level.
Bouchard has had stretches this year where he has looked decent defensively and others where he looks awful. Before this year he was mostly just poor defensively.
The top D all have a history of playing well over multiple seasons. If Bouchard wants to join that group then he needs to continue to improve defensively and he needs another year playing at a top level.
I could care less about your trash posts or replies. Go worry about that invisible #2 wearing white.
- Jan 13, 2023
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Yea Forsling isn't better than Heiskanen buddy.
32/32 GMs would take Bouchard over Forsling lol, they aren't even in the same stratosphere.
Bouchard has been awful in the finals. Needs to step it up defensively.
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