Don't mean to crap on him because we lose as a team but this guy has such limited hockey sense. I notice along the boards in trying to set up a cycle he would direct the puck where there was no support. He also blind passed the puck off the boards behind him while facing the boards rather than try to cycle. Also would skate to the boards on a Canes clearing attempt and rather than getting his body tight to the boards to block the puck, he would stick his blade against the boards. Also would carry into the zone and lose it at the blue line rather than getting it deep. All the above plays lead to easy turnovers or clear outs by the Canes. He just seems to end plays before they start.
I wish he would just go to the net and set up screens or look for rebounds rather than handling the puck. I mean, has anyone of you seen him actually go to the net without the puck? I noticed without the puck, he isn't supporting his mates, basically skates himself into traffic or positions himself where his mates has no chance of getting him the puck. Not good at finding open ice. He needs to keep it simple and just go to the net. Let Higgins or the Center carry the puck while he goes to the crease looking for garbage.
I know I'm sounding harsh but it's just what I noticed all season and in these playoffs. Higgins has way more hockey smarts with and without the puck.
Again, I wouldn't trade him but he needs some coaching direction to turn him into a more prolific scorer because that's his bread and butter. He isn't really a passer, hitter, fast or smart with the puck. Still, there's hope that he will get wiser with experience and find the right areas for quick releases or rebounds.
Again, he's very likable because we have such limited goal scoring. But when he isn't scoring, he looks lost. I just don't think he has the tools to be a complete player. The best thing is to try to better himself at what he already knows, shooting the puck and getting his hands dirty to do it.
Still, I like that he tries hard and his goal scoring is a plus on this team.
