I’m aligned with pretty much everything in this post minus the bold. Barzal gives away the puck at times just fine on his own that has nothing to do with Bailey’s influence
- Cptmjl
the Constant passes backwards in your own zone is a Bailey staple. sprinkle in the no look first and it's his signiture move.. Barzal did that at least 5 times last night.
He also failed to cover for D about 3 times that ended up in odd man rushes. Watch the 2-on-1 where Valry saved on Zib. Mayfield up on 3-on-2 .. Barzal follows him into O=zone down the boards. basic hockey stuff.. if you want to be a Center you have to play like a center.
I understand trying to pass it to the D-man or the Wing off the wall but to not look and fire it back where the other team is sitting there waiting is maddening. ... while just dumping it into the neutral zone is not always the best play. It's certainly better than a give away in your own zone ... The backwards pass move was a Capuano staple too.. he hated just playing safe (getting it out, dump and chase, etc.). worked real well for the Isles.