We all know that Matt Read is pretty darn good on offense, but how does he rate defensively? It seems like many here in the community are willing to trade him away, when I think Homer should be very reluctant to part with Read. I know you have to give something to get something, but to my untrained eye, Matt Read is underrated defensively. I'm reading and trying to familiarize myself with advanced hockey statistics, but until I master them, I would describe it like this:

"Most players who are as good as Read offensively aren't as good as he is defensively." Or conversely, "most players who are as good as Read is defensively aren't as good as he is offensively."

Other than plus/minus (Read is +13 for the regular season and finished 3rd on the Flyers in +/- as well as 7th on the team in points recorded) what stats prove or disprove my thesis? It seems to me like speed is perhaps his greatest asset, but then, there are other good skaters (Wellwood comes to mind) who aren't as effective as Read. What do you all think? What makes Matt Read so evenly good?

And if Read is as good as I think he is, why trade him? I really like the Wayne Train, but couldn't a guy like him be replaced easier than a guy like Read?

What say you all, BSH?