I realize Habs desperately need their #3 overall pick in 2012 to be successful, but reality is:
- terrible WJC tournament started as 1st line C and demoted to 4th line within a couple of games, solid rookie 2012-2013 NHL season
- mediocre 2013-2014 NHL season
- slightly above mediocre in 2014-2015, and awful playoffs
- took off and scored 30 in 15-16 post New Year when the team was all but eliminated, but good season nonetheless
- mediocre season last year but will cut slack for possibly not being fully recovered from injury
So 2.5 good season of 5....
His defensive IQ has marginally improved (at best!) in 5-NHL seasons. He’s either a very poor learner / lacks learning capability or just doesn’t care, either way that does not bode well for the NHL - which is system based play.
He’s dominant at 3-on-3 because it’s not NHL system based hockey - it’s junior muffin hockey like the KHL.