Chunk, typed out a lengthy quote in your response to Bedard and playing wing specifically but the bastard software jacked me…….. In a nutshell I fail to realize as much as I should we got a new set of eyes with his own way of doing things behind the bench in Blashill. Every assumption we had as far as slotting and trust in players is being looked at by new eyes.
I understand the Hawks want Bedard to be a centerman but as is Bedard has never shown he won’t be a liability without the puck in every zone, not even glimpses. I hope Blashill’s fresh, and unbiased as one can be about Bedard. eyes will see that and move the kid to wing. IMO we get the worst version of Bedard as a centerman. He’s horrid without the puck and the energy he uses with centerman responsibilities depletes his offense. Him playing center keeps him farthest from his offensive ceiling.
I’m encouraged in Game 1 under Blashill he indeed had at least one shift I saw with Nazar centering Bedard and I think Moore. … That’s a good sign IMO.
I’m not really advocating for any move of Bedard to wing, but just stating what I think will end up happening. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Bedard can greatly improve his defense. Marian Hossa is exhibit A. I just think Frondell is going to be a really good one and that will open the gates for Bedard to concentrate on being a point producing monster. It’s mostly a situational thing in my mind. There will end up being guys that are better equipped to handle that position.
There are plenty of guys that started out big point producers and were horrid defensively that ended up much better in the latter area without sacrificing too much on the former.