Thomas Chabot
ON-ICE VALUE
First-Pairing Defenseman
STRENGTHS
Skating: Chabot is a deceptive and effortless skater who can carve through defenses in his sleep. This pace allows him to evade forecheckers and fly from end to end on every shift. As such, he’s almost always involved in the action. He never gets tired either. An absolute workhorse.
Assertiveness: He doesn’t sit back and let the play come to him. He actively looks to create opportunities by carrying the puck up himself or jumping into the fray once the attack has been established. He’s a true rover who baffles defenses because he doesn’t adhere to traditional hockey positioning. Moreover, he’s not afraid of taking on defenders one-on-one.
Dual Threat: He’s a balanced offensive weapon. If you give him time, he’ll gladly pull the trigger or carry the puck right into the slot. However, he can also use his exceptional skating to wheel around the offensive zone until he finds an open passing lane. You can’t cheat in any direction against him.
WEAKNESSES
Defense: Due to his heavy offensive burden and general recklessness, Chabot is a poor defender. He’s often out of position, and even when he is in the right place, he doesn’t offer much resistance. His stick work and angles are poor, and he doesn’t deny zone entries all that well. Offense comes easily for both teams when he’s on the ice.
Decision-Making: Chabot can complicate his own life by refusing to take what the defense gives him. He’ll try to force passes or dangle through traffic when a smarter play is right there for the taking. It’s almost like he doesn’t want to make the complementary pass. He insists on creating the chances himself.
