Exactly!
Everyone here knows I see EDM as the more defensive guy on a top pairing. Of course that is also Vlasic.
Imagine if Rinzel just keeps on his current trajectory and our #1 pick becomes what Kyle from Chicago thinks he will … that’s 2 top pairings.
If Allen happens to be even better than EDM that’s even better. Not only does it improve the team but a certain poster here complained about the pick when made a continues to do so regularly.
A win-win!
Vlasic might well develop into a better-skating version of Chara (who I see as a legit comp), who arguably took longer to develop both defensively and offensively than Vlasic has to date. This year will hopefully see more offensive development from Vlasic, as well as a continued defensive development.
Add Rinzel, who is arguably more physical and more offensively gifted than Vlasic, and that’s a first pairing that could be as good if not better than any other in the league.
Then there’s Levshunov and EDM, which could be a similar pairing, and we haven’t even mentioned Korchinski, Kaiser, and Allan, or if a future pick or trade or free agent arrives.
And they’ll all be maturing when the Hawks’ window is open if all reach close to their potential. The defense is looking really set for success as a whole unit beyond what was achieved during the Cup years.
The offense is the question mark, but that’s more easily addressed in free agency if the plethora of drafted players don’t fit or fill gaps.