I agree..as I believe he was never a 200 ft player until coming into the league, you can't blame him for over thinking many things. There are times you see that he overthinks for a split second in which he loses his check or the puck. However, there are times when he is on his game, he claimed that he "just did it without thinking" which I think is good for people with lower hockey IQ. As what is said above, he has been over coached by Green and Willie. I think people see him less hitting first is because he is afraid he will make a mistake and he will be benched or scratched again.
Wasn't he drafted in 2014? How on earth is he on D+4 already? He is drafted in 2014 doesn't mean you just add 4 years and say he is +4. The season starts in October so technically he is D+3.
I seriously think it isn't he not being hard working, it is just that he is sometimes uncertain how to play. And the person who says he shouldn't be up high watching the defencemen, so you want him running around and opening up for a backdoor pass?