Bravo Benning. The D is pretty much rebuilt.

[MS]

I think I disagree with you on this, but I want you to define 2nd pairing before I do. Do you mean total TOI and QualComp?

He projects as a top pairing Dman to me. Not a #1 because he will not be played in all situations.

To me, your top pairing is the one that takes the most difficult minutes and matchups at ES.

Hughes might end up being #1 or #2 in TOI on the team (as Barrie and Krug have been) by virtue of huge PP minutes but I’ll be shocked if he’s ever an actual top pairing guy.

Krug/Gostisbehere/Barrie are all guys that consistently play on a 2nd pairing that gets 65% o-zone starts and is kept away from the tougher matchups. Hughes projects into the same type of role.

 

[Bleach Clean]

To me, your top pairing is the one that takes the most difficult minutes and matchups at ES.

Hughes might end up being #1 or #2 in TOI on the team (as Barrie and Krug have been) by virtue of huge PP minutes but I’ll be shocked if he’s ever an actual top pairing guy.

Krug/Gostisbehere/Barrie are all guys that consistently play on a 2nd pairing that gets 65% o-zone starts and is kept away from the tougher matchups. Hughes projects into the same type of role.

I project Hughes will play the most ES TOI and likely the most TOI overall. As a function of that, he will face tough assignments regardless of Ozone starts.

That said, I do not expect him to be on a shut down pair in terms of usage. Instead, he'll be on the top offensive pair.

I project a #2/#3 position in terms of Qual Comp among Dmen, eventually, not right away. You probably have him at #3 or lower, correct?

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Some talk that the Islanders are looking to add a sniper. What would people here say to Boeser for Dobson and their 1st?

 

[M2Beezy]

Some talk that the Islanders are looking to add a sniper. What would people here say to Boeser for Dobson and their 1st?

Hell no

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

I am very interested to see what the D looks like next year..This years collection is definitely below average..Hughes should have an instant impact (forcing guys down the depth chart, and kicking up the PP a notch)

Benning has to find a 'top 4' RHD in the off season..most likely a FA..There are lots of young possibilities coming up as well..Juolevi,Sautner,Woo,Brisebois,Tryamkin?,Rathbone...Maybe even Pouliot on a minimum wage deal (still fairly young..when he plays a conservative game he's pretty good, and I like him in the open ice...Its down low, where all his problems start).

 

[The Drop]

There isn’t a single redeeming quality about Pouliot. You can’t even shelter him. Go watch any Canucks game and when the opponent is getting grade A chances, he’s usually on the ice.

Tryamkin would be a good add imo

 

[Hit the post]

Elmer getting a top 4 RHD in free agency? Hasn’t been able to obtain even just one (LHD or RHD) in 4 off seasons at this point via free agency or trade.

 

[Bleach Clean]

I am very interested to see what the D looks like next year..This years collection is definitely below average..Hughes should have an instant impact (forcing guys down the depth chart, and kicking up the PP a notch)

Benning has to find a 'top 4' RHD in the off season..most likely a FA..There are lots of young possibilities coming up as well..Juolevi,Sautner,Woo,Brisebois,Tryamkin?,Rathbone...Maybe even Pouliot on a minimum wage deal (still fairly young..when he plays a conservative game he's pretty good, and I like him in the open ice...Its down low, where all his problems start).

How could you want Pouliot re-signed at this point?

You were incorrectly stuck on seeing Hutton and Pouliot as equals at one point last year. Is this just the lingering shadow of that woeful opinion?

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Benning pretty much confirms that they will be in the hunt for a UFA D-man this summer..
Ben Kuzma: Building a better back end has become top priority for Jim Benning

 

[Consistencee]

Benning pretty much confirms that they will be in the hunt for a UFA D-man this summer..
Ben Kuzma: Building a better back end has become top priority for Jim Benning

“has become” ... what the hell was he doing for the past 5 years ?

 

[Phenomenon13]

Benning pretty much confirms that they will be in the hunt for a UFA D-man this summer..
Ben Kuzma: Building a better back end has become top priority for Jim Benning

Do we have room for a Ufa d?

I heard on tsn he plans on resigning Edler and extending tanev.

Edler-tanev
Hutton-stecher
Hughes-gudbranson
Biega

I don't see where a Ufa would fit. We need to move someone. Gudbranson sitting as the seventh d would be hard to justify with that contract. Hopefully Pouliot isn't resigned again....

I'm hoping for stralman if we do sign someone. Juolevi probably won't be ready next year as injuries knocked out significantly amount of his development time.

 

[Pip]

How could you want Pouliot re-signed at this point?

You were incorrectly stuck on seeing Hutton and Pouliot as equals at one point last year. Is this just the lingering shadow of that woeful opinion?

I’m starting to think that he might actually be a pro scout for the Canucks with all of these bad takes.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Do we have room for a Ufa d?

I heard on tsn he plans on resigning Edler and extending tanev.

Edler-tanev
Hutton-stecher
Hughes-gudbranson
Biega

I don't see where a Ufa would fit. We need to move someone. Gudbranson sitting as the seventh d would be hard to justify with that contract. Hopefully Pouliot isn't resigned again....

I'm hoping for stralman if we do sign someone. Juolevi probably won't be ready next year as injuries knocked out significantly amount of his development time.

Yes..someone would have to be moved..I believe that there's going to be lot of moving parts this summer...Maybe they will sell high on Ben Hutton? ..I think a lot will be decided on the impact that Hughes has ?...Pouliot," if "he was re-signed,would be a# 7-8 D-man

 

[Phenomenon13]

Yes..someone would have to be moved..I believe that there's going to be lot of moving parts this summer...Maybe they will sell high on Ben Hutton? ..I think a lot will be decided on the impact that Hughes has ?...Pouliot," if "he was re-signed,would be a# 7-8 D-man

I think Hutton is young enough that if we start to contend he will be good on the second pairing. We also should keep him in case Juolevi doesn't pan out. Having too many good defenders is a good thing.

Selling on Edler tanev and gudbranson is what I would do. These are older guys who won't be here for the contender push. Also, that time can be used for our younger players development. Signing guys like stralman to short term deals can let us flip him at the deadline. This will give us the best chance to revamp the defense through picks and prospects.

Pouliot shouldn't be 7-8. I think Chatfield or sautner can be that guy.

 

[y2kcanucks]

Do we have room for a Ufa d?

I heard on tsn he plans on resigning Edler and extending tanev.

Edler-tanev
Hutton-stecher
Hughes-gudbranson
Biega

I don't see where a Ufa would fit. We need to move someone. Gudbranson sitting as the seventh d would be hard to justify with that contract. Hopefully Pouliot isn't resigned again....

I'm hoping for stralman if we do sign someone. Juolevi probably won't be ready next year as injuries knocked out significantly amount of his development time.

I wouldn't re-sign Edler, I would look to trade him at the deadline.

I would look to dump Gudbranson for whatever I could get too.

UFA D? Nick Jensen would be on top of my list.

 

[Ryp37]

lmao jim gonna sign one horrible contract ie Myers then overpay a couple plugs and call it a summer

 

[Phenomenon13]

I wouldn't re-sign Edler, I would look to trade him at the deadline.

I would look to dump Gudbranson for whatever I could get too.

UFA D? Nick Jensen would be on top of my list.

I'd resign Edler to flip him. If not then he should walk. Hutton can fill his role.

Jensen is a good one but I think there's going to a bidding war for him. Pricing him out of what would be fair value. I think an older rhd like stralman who has experience would be a good fit cause it'll be easy to flip him at the deadline.

Edler tanev and gudbranson needs to be moved. I won't fault Benning for not moving Edler because it seems like there's no chance he's gonna waive.

 

[Blue and Green]

Pouliot shouldn't be 7-8. I think Chatfield or sautner can be that guy.

Chatfield is arguably the least effective defenceman on the Comets' roster.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

I think Hutton is young enough that if we start to contend he will be good on the second pairing. We also should keep him in case Juolevi doesn't pan out. Having too many good defenders is a good thing.

Selling on Edler tanev and gudbranson is what I would do. These are older guys who won't be here for the contender push. Also, that time can be used for our younger players development. Signing guys like stralman to short term deals can let us flip him at the deadline. This will give us the best chance to revamp the defense through picks and prospects.

Pouliot shouldn't be 7-8. I think Chatfield or sautner can be that guy.

Hutton is on an expiring contract,..I'm wondering if they want to go all in with him...?.He could be moved (with an add for a top 6 winger)..Edler isn't going anywhere, and Tanev I could see moved (if not in the summer, then next year at the TDL.)

Again,its a wait and see..on Hughes,and next season..on Juolevi (or any of the other young D in the organization).

 

[Johnny Canucker]

Re sign Edler to max 2 years.

Extend Tanev

Pray to god Hughes can defend at this level and not just skate well.

Trade Guddy for anything.

Trade Juolevi for anything.

It’s a start .... but my god, we are still so far away from a competent back end.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

I wouldn't re-sign Edler, I would look to trade him at the deadline.

I would look to dump Gudbranson for whatever I could get too.

UFA D? Nick Jensen would be on top of my list.

Again with this .... Edler has a NMC and pretty much said he won’t waive it. So he’s not going anywhere. It’s either resign him now or let him hit free agency in summer.

I don’t think you get more than a 4/5 for Guddy. But I’ll take it. Some teams in the east may want a “tough” defensman going on to playoffs. And in the east they probably don’t watch him much.

 

[Phenomenon13]

Hutton is on an expiring contract,..I'm wondering if they want to go all in with him...?.He could be moved (with an add for a top 6 winger)..Edler isn't going anywhere, and Tanev I could see moved (if not in the summer, then next year at the TDL.)

Again,its a wait and see..on Hughes,and next season..on Juolevi (or any of the other young D in the organization).

I don't trust our pro scouting enough to make that kind of add

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Re sign Edler to max 2 years.

Extend Tanev

Pray to god Hughes can defend at this level and not just skate well.

Trade Guddy for anything.

Trade Juolevi for anything.

It’s a start .... but my god, we are still so far away from a competent back end.

Trade Joulevi for anything?..Maybe that was you that was suggesting we move out Virtanen for a 5th a few years ago?

 

[iceburg]

It's good to see Hutton and Stecher stepping up and able to play big minutes with all the injuries. Clearly, it's out of necessity and not ideal. But this is a case of a couple of players rising to the occasion. Both have demonstrated this year that they are competent, everyday, NHLers who should be in the line-up every night on most teams. Neither is a full time top pairing guy but they are valuable members of a decent 6. So, if Edler is re-signed (2 years) and Tanev is around for another 2-3 years, the goal should be to get rid of everyone else on the current roster (aside maybe for Biega who is an affordable #8) and slot in the young kids as step 1.

So,
Edler Stecher
Hutton Tanev
XXX-YYY
ZZZ
Biega

Top organizational candidates:
Hughes
Juolevi
Sautner
Woo
Brisebois

If two of the above show they are legitimate NHLers (not just guys filling slots) then the team is in reasonable shape. Realistically, however, probabilities are against all except Hughes. Juolevi is almost a complete unknown at this stage.

Step 2: Acquire 1 top end D-man in the context of how Hughes and others show in the next year.

Step 3: Find replacements for Edler and Tanev either from within or without.

 

[me2]

I am very interested to see what the D looks like next year..This years collection is definitely below average..Hughes should have an instant impact (forcing guys down the depth chart, and kicking up the PP a notch)

Benning has to find a 'top 4' RHD in the off season..most likely a FA..There are lots of young possibilities coming up as well..Juolevi,Sautner,Woo,Brisebois,Tryamkin?,Rathbone...Maybe even Pouliot on a minimum wage deal (still fairly young..when he plays a conservative game he's pretty good, and I like him in the open ice...Its down low, where all his problems start).

Pouliot has no reason for existence in a team with Hughes. Hughes will take the Ozone starts and PP, nobody wants Pouliot starting in the Dzone or on the PK.

One big pickup completely changes the look of the D. Edler-Tanev Hughes-RHD Hutton-Stecher. Somehow we need to ditch Gudbranson's contract.....