"He is a big guy. He has to be a physical and hard player to play against. He is going to make and score his goals around the net, right? A little more puck touches in the offensive zone from the forecheck, and then getting to the net front and winning those battles there and tipping pucks. He has good hand-eye. He has the capability of putting the puck in the net."
"From our zone out, it is about anticipating and being direct - not only him, but his linemates, and putting him in a good spot on the forecheck. If a puck enters the zone under control, get to the net and do your work there. Disrupt the other team that way, and make it hard. They don't want to box him out. He is a big guy."
Joshua has two goals and five points in 22 games and has not provided positive defensive results while the Maple Leafs struggle to keep the puck out of the net. Expectations include embracing a physical identity, becoming hard to play against, increasing puck touches in the offensive zone through a more aggressive forecheck, getting to the net front, winning battles, and tipping pucks using good hand-eye. Anticipation and directness coming out of the defensive zone and linemates placing him in strong forecheck positions are needed. Joshua acknowledged that more is required from himself and the team. A recent scratch may prompt a change during the road trip.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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