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Montreal Canadiens: Jonas Brodin isn’t enough for Max Domi

By Omar L

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 20: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild controls the puck against Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 20: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild controls the puck against Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of the game at Xcel Energy Center on October 20, 2019 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Wild defeated the Canadiens 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 05: Montreal Canadiens Jonas Brodin Max Domi (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Shot heat maps tell a similar but different story. We go to Hockeyviz for this one looking at 5v5 shots allowed with each of the three on the ice. Brodin looks the best defensively in this area based on the number and location of shots he denies when on the ice, which equates to a -22% threat level for the Wild.

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What is reassuring about Brodin’s play in his own zone, specifically are the number of shots being denied in front of the net. The Montreal Canadiens have had a problem this season, preventing second and third opportunities to the opposition and allowing them to control the crease. Brodin uses his size to force opponents out of those areas and his stick to tie players up.

Chiarot and Kulak have -1% and -16% threat levels, respectively. Kulak is responsible for denying shots and opportunities from the sides of the net but does allow chances from the slot, which is a dangerous area for any goaltender. Again we see how poor defensively Chiarot is.

Brodin is a defensive upgrade on Chiarot, that’ can’t be denied. What’s concerning would be his role on the team. The 26-year-old is used to second-pair minutes. His TOI hit the high 23s and 24s earlier in his career, but it’s been 19 and 21 minutes for the last five years. If he can maintain performance despite the bump up in assignments, the Montreal Canadiens upgrade on the left side.

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