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Habs Season Thread: 2024-25 Regular Season

Just a question in general. When did this RH vs LH defensemen playing the rights side become a thing ? RHD are hard to come by. I get it. Never heard of it as a priority except the last few years.

But to focus on it as a skill set, it’s kind of stupid. We have perfectly fine left-handed defenseman who can play the right side, such as Matheson. Maybe Hutson as well given his recent play but time will tell.
 
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AH$$$ said:
Just a question in general. When did this RH vs LH defensemen playing the rights side become a thing ? RHD are hard to come by. I get it. Never heard of it as a priority except the last few years.

But to focus on it as a skill set, it’s kind of stupid. We have perfectly fine left-handed defenseman who can play the right side, such as Matheson. Maybe Hutson as well given his recent play but time will tell.
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You want the best out of every player. RHD tend to be more effective on the right side. I wouldn't want to make Hutson less effective by playing him on the wrong side.
 
AH$$$ said:
Just a question in general. When did this RH vs LH defensemen playing the rights side become a thing ? RHD are hard to come by. I get it. Never heard of it as a priority except the last few years.

But to focus on it as a skill set, it’s kind of stupid. We have perfectly fine left-handed defenseman who can play the right side, such as Matheson. Maybe Hutson as well given his recent play but time will tell.
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Defensemen playing on their wrong side are simply less effective. Every single play on the board is on your backhand. Skilled players can manage, but they would still be more effective on their strong side. Maybe think of it as playing on your wrong side puts you at 80% capacity. You’re not going to play a lesser player just because of its side, but ideally you’d want everyone playing in their best position.

Wingers are a bit different. Some, especially Russians, like playing on their off side. It opens up stick handling and shooting opportunities at the expense of passing. Helps with zone exits too.
 
GrandWazoo said:
Defensemen playing on their wrong side are simply less effective. Every single play on the board is on your backhand. Skilled players can manage, but they would still be more effective on their strong side. Maybe think of it as playing on your wrong side puts you at 80% capacity. You’re not going to play a lesser player just because of its side, but ideally you’d want everyone playing in their best position.

Wingers are a bit different. Some, especially Russians, like playing on their off side. It opens up stick handling and shooting opportunities at the expense of passing. Helps with zone exits too.
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There is nothing holding you back from playing your offside on D unless you have bricks for feet and/or have poor hockey sense.

EDIT I agree with your assertions in principle, but I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker if you are able to get a great left-handed defenseman who can adequatelyplay the right side over a mediocre right hand defenseman who only plays the right side.
 
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