I prefer Goloubef to Prout, but whatever.
If that top pair actually plays like a top pair then we will make serious noise.
Golobeuf very well may be a better overall defenseman than Prout right now and in 5 years. But, besides a little better skating what does Golobeuf bring that Tyutin doesn't? Not to mention IMO at this point Tyutin is quite a bit more "intelligent" on the ice than Golo. Our top 4 all play better defense and offense than Golobeuf. Connauton has offensive abilities that can be a real "game changer", just not consistent enough, and Prout is IMO the best big, tough, mean, young, "shutdown" defenseman in the league. Just needs to work a little more on developing just HOW TO shut people down. Icetime will do that.
I still do however believe we will see a pretty regular rotation of the bottom pairing guys.
I wish we would let Murray earn the 1st pairing spot with his play rather than just give it to him. It's okay, but I'm still skeptical.
I mean of course people will attack this BECAUSE he was hurt, but when he's played he pretty much HAS earned the spot. Out of Murray, Savard and Johnson, Murray seems to be the guy seen by most as a legit or possible legit top pair guy. Now he's there. If this stays this will also be seen as Jack Johnsons "breakout year" because of a huge increase in his career +/-. Not because he will actually "breakout" or necessarily even play much better, but simply playing against weaker competition throughout the year. If you want to hold it against Murray, Savard, or the team because they are our 2 best options back there, "fine", but they still are our best 2 options.
I, of course(
), wanna let it be known that I have been calling these exact defensive pairs since early in the summer. Also changing things up I will embrace my "martyrdom" and claim I have been the only person on here to post these exact pairs. Wonder what happened to the left/right, left/right thing many were so sure the coaches wouldn't get away from.
A friend of mine ran into John Davidson at the airport this morning and spoke to him for a bit. FWIW, the main thing taken away from this convo was that Milano isn't close to being NHL ready, so if a prospect is going to push for a spot, look for either Rychel or Bjork to do so.
Well how about somebody tells that PR man that Milano weighs like,
over, 200 pounds!! What more does he want!?! Warren's forcing Kerby (and the teams hand) on the roster and Bjorkstrand and Tynan weigh like a 150 pounds!!