Detroit had a tough season last year and gave up a lot of goals. We all owned some of that failure. As defensemen, we need to put ourselves in the best position to prevent the offense from executing their plays. That’s priority #1 for us. For the forwards, their primary focus will always be to keep possession, while setting up the offense. The question then is what about backchecking and forechecking? Forechecking gives us an opportunity to collect a turnover before the other team can get into our defensive zone. However, it can put a forward out of position should they let the puck carrier get by them or get a pass by them. I think there is definitely room in the playstyle for a forechecker, but the way our team plays, we can really only afford it if everything else is already taken care of. We should be sure lines are getting a chance to change and fresh legs are out on the ice. Backchecking has a similar goal, forcing a turnover, however it puts the forwards in a better position should something go wrong. We are giving up some ice to the other team in order to pull this off, but maybe it can prevent some busted plays.

WC: 210