Evan Bouchard is a quality NHL defensemen, this isn’t an attempt to pile on…simply an analysis.

Net Front defending techniques have evolved…in the 80s and 90s, coaches simply wanted defenceman to CLEAR OUT in front of the net by engaging dogfight and eventually clearing a sight line for the goalie. 

Players now have options/combinations of the following:

1. BOX OUT -Meet attacker on the perimeter for early contact, delay/deny him from infiltrating 
2. CLEAR OUT - Fighting to move an attacker who has already infiltrated the net front area
3. D-SIDE Get underneath the attacker, staying between him and your net
4. FRONTING - Step above/in front of the attacker to block the shot for quick transition up ice 

What happens here is none of the above…it is “double wide”/“barn doors”, the defenceman is standing beside the forward, making an extra wide obstacle for the goaltender to see around. As the puck was shot the barn doors opened. Most goaltenders prefer a “single wide” scenario so they only have to look  around one body instead of two. (Which is why defensemen must choose D-Side or Fronting)

What would be an acceptable combination of options in this situation?