...because so far, he's been playing like he did last year's first game vs. Phoenix...sloppy and below average defensively. Granted, I've only seen two preseason games (and yes, they're PREseason, so I don't want to read too much into it), but in both, he's coughed up the puck in ugly places and just generally looks like he's TRYING to make the highlight reel plays instead of just being solid.
I'm sure he'll pull it together at some point, but he looks like he has no focus out there right now.
Drew's first game against Phoenix last season was quite possibly the worst game he ever played in the NHL, yet he still managed to score 2 points in that loss. His first month and his play in December was spotty, but he turned it on after that. Just observe his game log from last season, http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4472/gamelog
I wouldn't be too concerned over his preseason play.
That happens if everyone tells you, as 19 year old kid, you are a hockey god.
I said last season Johnson outplayed him since olympic break.
And he will continue that until Doughty is matured.
Johnson is a couple of years older and his body grew into the style he is playing.
That was the main reason of Johnsons poor performance.
But there is absolutely nothing to worrie about.
Johnson and Doughty will be elite defender.
Better now than in the regular season. Keep in mind that he's adjusting to a new defensive partner who plays a much different style of game than Scuderi, who literally just sat back the entire game covering Doughty's ass. Mitchell is actually capable of starting a breakout, which means that Doughty needs to figure out how to be the defensively-responsible defenseman during the breakout from time to time.
Better now than in the regular season. Keep in mind that he's adjusting to a new defensive partner who plays a much different style of game than Scuderi, who literally just sat back the entire game covering Doughty's ass. Mitchell is actually capable of starting a breakout, which means that Doughty needs to figure out how to be the defensively-responsible defenseman during the breakout from time to time.
And now Johnson is getting that treament, which is already looking like a really kickass decisionn as far as letting Jack contribute more offensivley.
Doughty's a gamer, he'll un**** himself when it counts. Of that I have no doubt.
What Doughty is going through/experiencing is a melting pot product that consists of: a new system, new partner, much brighter spotlight on him, an increase in confidence/his abilities, and more trash talking from the opposing team before/during the game. Once he learns how to keep his cool and manage everything that is going on around him in a smarter manner, then he's golden. He'll get his *hit together, of that I have no doubt, but it might be a bumpy ride in the meanwhile.
Drew led the team with nine minor penalties during the preseason. I'm sure shoddy officiating had something to do with this as well.
I saw a lot of them with my own eyes and Drew deserved them. Behind the play and coming into scrums late and over aggressively to make up for being late to the play.
He will turn it around at some point, and perhaps he just doesn't take the preseason that seriously, which is kind of annoying if true.
I will say I spoke to someone from Kings' management a few weeks ago who insinuated that there is concern about Drew "believing his own hype" as they say. Its hard to tell if that is what we are seeing now or if he is just not as focused because there are no stakes for him or the team yet. His conditioning coming into camp is also a bit disconcerting.
That said, I have full faith in him to have a great season. Whether this one will be Norris worthy or not...
What Doughty is going through/experiencing is a melting pot product that consists of: a new system, new partner, much brighter spotlight on him, an increase in confidence/his abilities, and more trash talking from the opposing team before/during the game. Once he learns how to keep his cool and manage everything that is going on around him in a smarter manner, then he's golden. He'll get his *hit together, of that I have no doubt, but it might be a bumpy ride in the meanwhile.
I saw a lot of them with my own eyes and Drew deserved them. Behind the play and coming into scrums late and over aggressively to make up for being late to the play.
He will turn it around at some point, and perhaps he just doesn't take the preseason that seriously, which is kind of annoying if true.
I will say I spoke to someone from Kings' management a few weeks ago who insinuated that there is concern about Drew "believing his own hype" as they say. Its hard to tell if that is what we are seeing now or if he is just not as focused because there are no stakes for him or the team yet. His conditioning coming into camp is also a bit disconcerting.
That said, I have full faith in him to have a great season. Whether this one will be Norris worthy or not...
Since the Olympics, he's been getting insane publicity, and much of it is very deserved. However, I can definitely see the downside of him getting too much recognition in such a short period of time, and I'm glad that management has an inkling of what might be going on inside his head. I think he's going to be having some nice, intimate conversations with Lomardi and co. in the not-so-distant future...
I've only seen two live games and to me it seems like he just doesn't care too much about preseason. He'll get his act together soon enough and there's no doughty about it..
I'm not too concerned, especially after the horrible game he had to start the regular season last year. Sitting at that game, if anyone told me he would be a Norris candidate that year, I would have laughed.
That being said, he needs to be careful w/ the penalties. I'd say 2 of the penalties in Frozen Fury was due to JJ pinching on the PP when he wasn't supposed to be, leaving Drew back there leading to an odd man rush resulting in him taking the penalties.
I'm probably overthinking it. Probably hard to get up for essentially meaningless games. I just see bad habits.
