Yeah, that "best 200ft player" thing has been bullshit for years. Sid's line has been awful defensively. Jake was every bit as bad as Phil away from the puck. Rust stopped giving a shit about that aspect of the game years ago. Rakell is a whatever middle-6 guy who does precisely nothing well. /shrug
It's basically copium to call him elite when the 3 Ms + Draisatl are much better offensively.
Like, I see Bergeron and Marchand. That is actually being elite defensively.
It's garbage and another divorced from reality thing.
"The fans want us to keep trying"
"We are so lucky to have Sullivan"
"We have the best 200 foot player in hockey"
Just more and more ridiculous BS. It should run for president.