He is still doing those panicky clearances every shift, if he eliminates those from his game I wouldnt mind him, its the part of him that finds the need to throw it anywhere, take a look then clear it, or at least whack the hell out of it, dont just glide it out.
I dont know what Lee you watched but I saw the same one.
No tape to tape passing. No offense provided. Sustained shifts in his own end. When he gets the puck he either turns it over or ices it or dumps it to no one.
He jumped into the play more often and created offense, if you can call it that, but his defensive game was mediocre once again, bad giveaways, piss poor decision making in his own end. If he was able to stay in the offensive zone all game, I wouldnt care about him, but thats not the case, he's a dman, and a bad one.
Again, if anybody thought he should be there ahead of Gudas/Mikelsson or even somebody else, you're out of your mind. there are more reliable #6's.
There's never going to be a game where any player doesn't make a bad play or two, everyone is trying to find something to ***** about. Did anybody see Phanuef out there? He cost the leafs a couple of goals with bad play in his own end. He is the captain and second highest paid player, he's not supposed to make plays like that but he does. Lee isn't supposed to be anything special just a reliable guy which he is.
There were two different Lees out there tonight. One defensively clumsy, bad pinching Lee, and another less noticeable, quietly doing a good job Lee (1st period).
There's never going to be a game where any player doesn't make a bad play or two, everyone is trying to find something to ***** about. Did anybody see Phanuef out there? He cost the leafs a couple of goals with bad play in his own end. He is the captain and second highest paid player, he's not supposed to make plays like that but he does. Lee isn't supposed to be anything special just a reliable guy which he is.
The only thing Lee is reliable for is giving the puck away and making terrible decisions.
He is being picked on because he is the worst player on the ice right now, and has been all season.
I don't expect much from a #6 d-man and occasional scratch who plays fairly limited minutes. Lee is getting every chance to show his worth, but so far that 2-year deal is looking like a mistake. I have never thought highly of Lee, and while it would be nice to see him turn around his game, I am perfectly fine with his struggles eventually resulting in the callup of Radko Gudas.
All that being said, Lee isn't a big issue. Most guys around the league with similar roles aren't much better.
I have not watched Lee in the NHL but I saw plenty of his high school and college games. Sounds like not much has changed...physical tools, no confidence. I hope he turns it around but...
I have not watched Lee in the NHL but I saw plenty of his high school and college games. Sounds like not much has changed...physical tools, no confidence. I hope he turns it around but...
I blame coaching for this. Lots of our D looks like **** once our coaches get their hands on them. Victor Hedman went to the KHL and came back a totally new player. The situations and pairings that they're handed here in Tampa make me shake my head sometimes.
I think everybody is over reacting. He hasn't been perfect for sure.
My favorite player, number 26 is doing pretty ****ing poorly also. You could blame Marty for quite a few goals against this season also, but I still love the guy.
Obviously Lee is not St. Louis, but still, Lee cannot be blamed for everything.
I think everybody is over reacting. He hasn't been perfect for sure.
My favorite player, number 26 is doing pretty ****ing poorly also. You could blame Marty for quite a few goals against this season also, but I still love the guy.
Obviously Lee is not St. Louis, but still, Lee cannot be blamed for everything.
Heres the difference:
0 points -9
22 points +3
One of these things is not like the other.
Even if Marty causes goals against with some bad play, he contributes on the offensive end to more than make up for it.
As an occasional watcher of the Lightning, I feel compelled to post. Every single time I've watched the Lightning play this season (I swear no hyperbole here), I've seen a RHD make a crappy pass up the boards that got intercepted. I always turn to my dad and ask, "was that #15?" And it always is.
Yup it's a commitment, can't figure out any other reason to play him.
A lot of guys don't mature mentally, and take their job seriously, until they are 25-26ish. Lee is 25. As someone said, he has the physical tools to be a very good Dman. The Bolts are hoping he matures while he is here and it could happen. He's frustrating to watch though.
I was one of the guys ******** on Lee after game 1, and I find myself just as frustrated now. I see all the tools in him to be a solid 2nd pairing guy. He can skate, he can throw his body around fairly well, he has a decent pass and shot, his only problem is his piss poor decision making. If only we had a coaching staff that develops players better, we might be able to work a few of those kinks out of him and get him to be a solid defenseman. Not great, but not a liability.
