Ekholm and Josi

[Machinehead]

Josi is top 15 easily and Ekholm is top 30.

Still take Subban over both without blinking.

 

[rewind2482]

Ekholm's shot isn't great and he isn't an elite puck carrier/mover. Subban/Josi already were elite and Ellis has gotten there in the past two years, so Ekholm is now the clear #4, although a fine defenseman in his own right.

The Preds would still be in a huge bind without him considering how bad their defensemen are after him.

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

It's crazy to think that if Nashville had retained all of them, they would have Suter-Jones as a bottom pairing, and would have Weber as the #7.

 

[Soundgarden]

I think Ellis is overrated but he's still pretty darn good

I think it's the opposite, especially given the responses in this thread.

 

[Soundgarden]

It's crazy to think that if Nashville had retained all of them, they would have Suter-Jones as a bottom pairing, and would have Weber as the #7.

We wouldn't have Jones if we had Suter though.

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

We wouldn't have Jones if we had Suter though.

That's probably a fair point but it's mostly for fun anyway and in that case you would still have Suter-Weber as a bottom pairing

 

[sufferer]

Man, the Preds blue line is just dumb. You outlined it in the OP perfectly, but just thinking in theory, you have two D who in any given season are top 5 LEAGUE WIDE in D scoring, flanked by 2-3 ranked D who can play like 1D's on any given night.

They've been the defenseman factory of the NHL for as long as I can remember. Even the quality of players they could afford to lose is amazing.

Top pairing:
Timonen
Suter
Weber
Jones
Hamhuis

Middle pairing:
Skrastins (rip)
Zidlicky
Klein
Girard

Bottom pairing:
Franson
Zanon

 

[Osprey]

People are getting a little carried away, IMO. The Preds arguably have the best top four, but it's not because all four are #1Ds. Josi and Subban fit that description, but Ekholm really isn't elite at anything--he's just very solid all around, exactly what a #2-4 tends to be--and Ellis arguably has elite offense and intelligence, but his size holds him back. At best, the Preds have two #1Ds and two #2Ds, which is still pretty amazing and more than enough to compliment them for having.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

People are getting a little carried away, IMO. The Preds arguably have the best top four, but it's not because all four are #1Ds. Josi and Subban fit that description, but Ekholm really isn't elite at anything--he's just very solid all around, exactly what a #2-4 tends to be--and Ellis arguably has elite offense and intelligence, but his size holds him back. At best, the Preds have two #1Ds and two #2Ds, which is still pretty amazing and more than enough to compliment them for having.

Ekholm boosts extremely good suppression metrics, although if Karlsson is going to get criticized for GA/60Rel, Ekholm shouldn't be scotch free, since he did have the worst on the Preds this season.

 

[Addison Rae]

That's probably a fair point but it's mostly for fun anyway and in that case you would still have Suter-Weber as a bottom pairing

But they traded Weber for Subban, they can’t have both of them...

 

[Martin Skoula]

Man, the Preds blue line is just dumb. You outlined it in the OP perfectly, but just thinking in theory, you have two D who in any given season are top 5 LEAGUE WIDE in D scoring, flanked by 2-3 ranked D who can play like 1D's on any given night.

And this is after losing/trading away 3 #1s in Sure, Weber and Jones, and a guy like Girard who walked right into a top-4 role before 20.

 

[triggrman]

Didn't hit the "post" button, now the point is made...

 

[The S5]

Holy hype batman!

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Where do you rank them? I've had Josi in my top 5 for a couple of years now and I take him over anyone other than Doughty and Hedman.

I think Ekholm is a #1 dman as well and someone I have in my top 15.

I never see either get much praise on here and I'm not even a Preds fan.

Did Karlsson retire?

 

[maacoshark]

Josi is awesome, top ~10 in the league.
Ekholm a bit overrated imo. Don’t see him as more than a very good 2nd pairing D, not sure why people think he’s a #1.

I'd take Ekholm

 

[Ghetty Green]

Did Karlsson retire?

No. He scored 43 goals for Vegas this year.

 

[Mike Lowry]

I see your bait, but I'm not biting!

How does posting facts get spun into trying to bait someone? The Subban fanclub is ridiculous

Is there anything I said about the Nashville D core that is untrue? The answer is a resounding no.

Jossi - Ellis = #1 Pairing
Ekholm - Subban = #2 Pairing

Nashville Depth Chart - Defence
#1 - Jossi
#2 - Ellis
#3 - Ekholm
#4 - Subban

I have Josi and Subban both comfortably in the top 10 defense in the league, with Ekholm being up near 25-30 and Ellis being one of the strongest 2D in the league.

The Nashville Predators' coaching staff feels different. But sure, YOU know more than they do.[/QUOTE]

 

[rent free]

But they traded Weber for Subban, they can’t have both of them...

it was for fun bro

or he was talking about yannick weber

 

[izzy]

Couple of first class wieners

 

[RickP]

How does posting facts get spun into trying to bait someone? The Subban fanclub is ridiculous

Is there anything I said about the Nashville D core that is untrue? The answer is a resounding no.

Jossi - Ellis = #1 Pairing
Ekholm - Subban = #2 Pairing

Nashville Depth Chart - Defence
#1 - Jossi
#2 - Ellis
#3 - Ekholm
#4 - Subban



The Nashville Predators' coaching staff feels different. But sure, YOU know more than they do.

Honest question, what are your criterias when judging a team's depth chart on defense? Do you use overall time on ice? 5-on-5 time on ice? Defensive assignments? Special teams TOI?

Other than 3-on-3, I can't find a single reason why Subban would be considered the #4D on the Preds. And if we use 3-on-3 over-time as an argument, then I guess Ellis is Nashville's #1D, because he's the one that goes first on OT. Usually with Bonino or Turris...

 

[maacoshark]

Honest question, what are your criterias when judging a team's depth chart on defense? Do you use overall time on ice? 5-on-5 time on ice? Defensive assignments? Special teams TOI?

Other than 3-on-3, I can't find a single reason why Subban would be considered the #4D on the Preds. And if we use 3-on-3 over-time as an argument, then I guess Ellis is Nashville's #1D, because he's the one that goes first on OT. Usually with Bonino or Turris...

Do they really have a number 1. They have 4 very good dmen.

 

[RickP]

Do they really have a number 1. They have 4 very good dmen.

Yeah, all 4 are in the top 30 in the league in average time on ice, this season. I'm just curious to know Mike Lowry's criterias

 

[Mike Lowry]

Honest question, what are your criterias when judging a team's depth chart on defense? Do you use overall time on ice? 5-on-5 time on ice? Defensive assignments? Special teams TOI?

By watching the game, understanding the situation, and seeing who the coaching staff picks. The stats you guys look at are flawed because hockey isn't played one play at a time. When the Preds start a period on the PK or PP, and they go with Jossi & Ellis, it tells you who their #1 pairing is. When they come out of a time-out, same thing. And when they get to OT, and the leave their highest paid D on the bench, it's pretty clear. You know, these are things you can learn if you played. You can learn even more if you coached. So yeah, try those things then come back and we can discuss.

Other than 3-on-3, I can't find a single reason why Subban would be considered the #4D on the Preds. And if we use 3-on-3 over-time as an argument, then I guess Ellis is Nashville's #1D, because he's the one that goes first on OT. Usually with Bonino or Turris...

How about when Ellis was hurt, and they moved Ekholm up to play with Jossi, and Emelin up with Subban? He's their #4. Just accept it and go back to pumping his tires about his fake donation to the hospital.