Elite D more important than elite forwards?

[topshelf15]

Yes they have Letang, but not much after that. What won pittsburgh the title was that they had 3 scoring lines, and no other team could match that, there d was overall very weak.

Edmonton offense is very overrated and is not even close to the level of Defense level that Nashville has/had. Nashville have 4 before maybe 5 top defensemen and they have better forwards than edmonton have among d-men. So not a fair comparison. Nashville is simple a overall much better team than edmonton.

One could think that this overrating of defense and so on would take a hit now after Pittsburgh won SC.

But without Letang they almost missed the playoffs 2 seasons ago.A elite number 1 defender is just as valuable,as a elite number 1 center

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Some forget that to win a game, you need to put the puck in their net, not just stop them from scoring. Forwards that can score will always be the #1 players on any team IMO, followed by a #1 shutdown/transitioning D.

I disagree. Obviously you need a strong balance of both, but having just a good forward group will limit your scoring. This chart, courtesy of Episkey:

...shows IMO a trend whereby, teams whose D are more likely to have a point on a goal, score more total goals, regardless of how well-regarded their forwards are. It makes sense, decent forwards are going to score goals if they get a chance whether it's banging in a rebound or being on the ice when a point shot hits your shin pads and bounces in. Teams whose defense are contributing strongly are going to have extra goals.

Having a good D (specifically top 4 with tight gaps, strong outlets, and actual goal scoring skills) with a mobile puck moving 3rd pair gives you a better chance. Having a good forward group doesn't ensure anything.

D are not about stopping the puck from getting in the net, that is the goaltender's job.
D are about making sure the forwards can attack quickly and often, however good they are. They're about giving a 4th and 5th option on the ice to score a goal, helping fool the opponent.

It's easier to live with Vladimir Tarasenko taking 8 shots and getting his goal, than it is to live with Oliver Ekman-Larsson springing a 4th liner on a breakaway who goes top shelf on your goalie.

 

[AD1066]

List should probably go like

Elite G = foundation for allowing less goals than your opponent
Elite F = your 1C, primary offensive output
Elite D = your 1D, primary defensive output

Then build the rest of the team around that.

I'm in the opposite camp. Most goalies are fungible. Find an Osgood or Crawford and allocate cap space elsewhere.

 

[scan15*]

This is how I would rank them.

Elite C
Elite D
Elite goalie



Elite winger

 

[57special]

My vote for elite D if I had to pick one or the other, but the correct answer is both.

Elite D keeps you in games. Elite forwards will win you games, but aren't always able to keep you close.

 

[topshelf15]

This is how I would rank them.

Elite C
Elite D
Elite goalie



Elite winger

Think the first two are interchangeable ,you wont win without having one of each

 

[TT1]

elite D of course, they can play half the game for you (30 mins) as opposed to an elite forward (max is maybe 19-20 mins).

 

[ulvvf]

But without Letang they almost missed the playoffs 2 seasons ago.A elite number 1 defender is just as valuable,as a elite number 1 center

They didnt have a 3-line that played as good as Kessel, Hagelin and Bonino did in this years playoff then.

 

[Dris]

Think the first two are interchangeable ,you wont win without having one of each

Fully agreed

 

[DrDangles]

Centers > Defensemen > Wingers IMO

 

[THall4]

Yeah preferably hand picked by Tortorella.

None sense.

Brandon Dubinsky isn't elite...