Future Defense Core

[rockjngo]

I don't think Diaz, Boullion, Murray, Drewiske will be around next year. So the question is who is ready to step in to full time?

Tinordi-Beaulieu
Thrower- Undersize, he had a down season, too early to predict if he's NHL quality.
Ellis-From what I saw in AHL, he might be a career AHLer.
Dietz-starting to develop into a very good D, I like to see him in Hamilton this year.
Pateryn-I recall seeing him playing TBL. He's slow but can move the puck.
Nygren-he can sure run a powerplay. Reminds me Streit/Diaz with size.
Didier-I don't think he's got NHL quality. Might be let go soon.
Bennett-Seems to be a leader but probably a career AHLer in my opinion.
Sullivan-a long shot at playing in the NHL.

I'm guessing we will likely see Tinordi and Beaulieu more often next season.

Subban-Tinordi
Markov-Emelin
Gorges-Beaulieu
Nygren/Pateryn

 

[Stoneburg]

Respectfully, no GM goes with essentially 4 rookies in the top 8.

My guess is Diaz gets resigned, and there will be other additions.

 

[Brainiac]

respectfully, no gm goes with essentially 4 rookies in the top 8.

This... is... HFBoards!!!

 

[montreal]

I don't think Diaz, Boullion, Murray, Drewiske will be around next year. So the question is who is ready to step in to full time?

Tinordi-Beaulieu
Thrower- Undersize, he had a down season, too early to predict if he's NHL quality.
Ellis-From what I saw in AHL, he might be a career AHLer.
Dietz-starting to develop into a very good D, I like to see him in Hamilton this year.
Pateryn-I recall seeing him playing TBL. He's slow but can move the puck.
Nygren-he can sure run a powerplay. Reminds me Streit/Diaz with size.
Didier-I don't think he's got NHL quality. Might be let go soon.
Bennett-Seems to be a leader but probably a career AHLer in my opinion.
Sullivan-a long shot at playing in the NHL.

It's hard to guess what roster changes would be made over the course of a year. As for the prospects, Didier I can safely say no way is he about to be let go soon, he will be a Junior this season so a strong season from him and he could turn pro although if Thrower doesn't turn pro this season then you have him and Bennett as rookies in Hamilton plus Didier which would likely mean another very young group of blueliners in Hamilton. If so they may want Didier to stay for his Senior year and then turn pro. He moves well and has an impressive frame, really solid in his own end and excels on the PK. Mainly he blocks shots and takes the body well (uses his big frame and good speed to his advantage)

 

[Dominator13]

Respectfully, no GM goes with essentially 4 rookies in the top 8.

My guess is Diaz gets resigned, and there will be other additions.

Well, to his defense, Beaulieu and Tinordi will have a lot more experience by 2014-2015 and I don't necesserally think of Nygren as a "rookie" but more of a young player like Emelin who will step in and contribute to the team's succes rather quickly.

 

[onemorecup*]

I don't think Diaz, Boullion, Murray, Drewiske will be around next year. So the question is who is ready to step in to full time?

Tinordi-Beaulieu
Thrower- Undersize, he had a down season, too early to predict if he's NHL quality.
Ellis-From what I saw in AHL, he might be a career AHLer.
Dietz-starting to develop into a very good D, I like to see him in Hamilton this year.
Pateryn-I recall seeing him playing TBL. He's slow but can move the puck.
Nygren-he can sure run a powerplay. Reminds me Streit/Diaz with size.
Didier-I don't think he's got NHL quality. Might be let go soon.
Bennett-Seems to be a leader but probably a career AHLer in my opinion.
Sullivan-a long shot at playing in the NHL.

I'm guessing we will likely see Tinordi and Beaulieu more often next season.

Subban-Tinordi
Markov-Emelin
Gorges-Beaulieu
Nygren/Pateryn

you are correct that those 4 should be gone as well as Markov , its time to rebuild our brutal d

 

[EveryDay]

you are correct that those 4 should be gone as well as Markov , its time to rebuild our brutal d

Drewiske is sign for 2 years, he will be there next year.

 

[Issacar]

Thrower- Undersize, he had a down season, too early to predict if he's NHL quality.
Ellis-From what I saw in AHL, he might be a career AHLer.
Dietz-starting to develop into a very good D, I like to see him in Hamilton this year.
Pateryn-I recall seeing him playing TBL. He's slow but can move the puck.
Nygren-he can sure run a powerplay. Reminds me Streit/Diaz with size.
Didier-I don't think he's got NHL quality. Might be let go soon.
Bennett-Seems to be a leader but probably a career AHLer in my opinion.
Sullivan-a long shot at playing in the NHL.

Ellis- Way to assess the potential of a dude who played his first pro season in his life. If anything I come to a very different analysis then you.
Dietz - Given your report on Thrower, it's fair to say he ended up the season poorly.
Nygren - You saw him play?
Bennett - Uhm... So far he has improved every seasons since being drafted and will be hte captain of his team in the NCAA... you're a quick fire.
Sullivan - not enough data to make a judgement.

 

[S Bah]

I don't think Diaz, Boullion, Murray, Drewiske will be around next year. So the question is who is ready to step in to full time?

Tinordi-Beaulieu
Thrower- Undersize, he had a down season, too early to predict if he's NHL quality.
Ellis-From what I saw in AHL, he might be a career AHLer.
Dietz-starting to develop into a very good D, I like to see him in Hamilton this year.
Pateryn-I recall seeing him playing TBL. He's slow but can move the puck.
Nygren-he can sure run a powerplay. Reminds me Streit/Diaz with size.
Didier-I don't think he's got NHL quality. Might be let go soon.
Bennett-Seems to be a leader but probably a career AHLer in my opinion.
Sullivan-a long shot at playing in the NHL.

I'm guessing we will likely see Tinordi and Beaulieu more often next season.

Subban-Tinordi
Markov-Emelin
Gorges-Beaulieu
Nygren/Pateryn

Nice post and you really know our defensive prospects. I can see Diaz playing with a Tinordi or Didier/Pateryn defensive Dman, playing a similar game to Markov's. He definitely needs to pack on some muscle to handle the rigorous NHL play though.

Bennett is coming and he will be real competition for another PMD, that may cause a trade if Diaz slacks off at all.

Bennett and Pateryn could be partners again on the Habs soon and they played great hockey for the Wolverines in Michigan. Bennett's the Wolverines new Captain this season as a senior, I expect his stay in Hamilton to be a short one if at all.

One thing that's for sure is the Habs have serious depth in all positions and the competition for jobs will be intense. A player's character and desire to be an NHLer maybe the biggest asset between winning a role with the Habs or going back to Hamilton or the CHL.

Bergevin has real quality depth in his system, usually the sign of a good playoff team and fun for the fans.

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

Markov is done with the habs after this year...his salary is better put to use on someone else....too old

 

[Issacar]

Markov is done with the habs after this year...his salary is better put to use on someone else....too old

I'd like to see him this season before coming to that conclusion. ALso if he accept a salary cut, I'd keep him around, he is still a valuable player.

 

[overlords]

Markov is done with the habs after this year...his salary is better put to use on someone else....too old

Because it's not as if his salary can be negotiated after his contract is done, right? Age is an awful argument.

 

[S Bah]

Markov is done with the habs after this year...his salary is better put to use on someone else....too old

PK Subban wouldn't be happy hearing Markov is leaving, Believe Dat. The Habs will be hard pressed to replace the quality of Markov's play, thoughts of another Norris trophy would be put on the back burner no doubt.

 

[Matteus]

I'd like to see him this season before coming to that conclusion. ALso if he accept a salary cut, I'd keep him around, he is still a valuable player.

Agreed.

I think a lot rides on a decision about Markov when it comes to projecting the D line-up for 2014-15.

If he's a solid contributor this year, I could see MB offering him a 2-year deal maybe for a little less money.

If not, I think they need to go a get a top 4 on the FA market or in a trade if they want the team to stay on the rise.

 

[Agnostic]

Markov is done with the habs after this year...his salary is better put to use on someone else....too old

Wanna bet? This post is nowhere near reality . If you can give me some examples of available players that can replace Markov and are a 'better use' of his salary I might take this seriously. Realistically it won't happen.

 

[Draft]

The only defenceman anywhere near Markov's ability in the 2014 UFA crop is Dion Phaneuf. It even thins out after that. Just let that sink in.

 

[Sam I Am]

IMO Tinordi is ahead of the rest.

My hunch is that Nygren is going to surprise. Beaulieu seemed very rough defensively to me though there is no denying his talent. I would not necessarily put him ahead of Nygren, especially since they play different sides of the ice. It will be interesting to see how they are used this year in Hamilton.

If Diaz plays well this year, I suspect the Habs will sign him by season's end making Nygren's ascension to the big club in 2014 less likely. Similarly, Markov's future directly affects the urgency to promote Beaulieu.

 

[Tyson]

Ellis IMO is a future NHL D, needs more developing. I would not count out Thrower in any way. Kid is determined. Dietz as well. Pateryn I think will be packaged. Nathan and Tinordi are Surefire Habs as soon as this season. Future looks bright on the back end

 

[Tyson]

"My hunch is that Nygren is going to surprise. Beaulieu seemed very rough defensively to me though there is no denying his talent. I would not necessarily put him ahead of Nygren, especially since they play different sides of the ice. It will be interesting to see how they are used this year in Hamilton".

Nygren is 3 years older than Nathan. Beaulieu will be a star in the NHL when he hits 23. Nygren was the best D in the SEL, yet he was not on the Swedish World Championship team, wonder why?

 

[25get]

Markov is done with the habs after this year...his salary is better put to use on someone else....too old

PP went from 14% to 21% with him...
He was also 4th in scoring.

His +/- was not that good (Worst in the team): -9
Markov - Emelin +1
Markov - Subban +4
Markov - Bouillon -4
Markov - Diaz -3
Markov - Gorges -2
Markov - Drewiske -2

Certainly can not be paired with Murray who was also worst of his team in +/- in SJS (and second worst with the Pens).

Note:
Gorges - Diaz +7
Bouillon - Subban +8
Gorges - Subban -2

Let's see what next season gives us.

For now, we have Subban, Gorges, Tinordi and Drewiske for 2014-15.
We need experienced d-men so two of Markov, Emelin and Diaz will be back.
This will leave two spots for Beaulieu, Dietz, Nygren, Pateryn or others.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

I like what I've seen from Dietz. How come he gets no love? Seems like a very well rounded and gritty D man. I think he is a better prospect than Ellis/Thrower. I'd say Nygren too but I know very little about him.

Is there anything he is really lacking that will hold him back from making it to the NHL?

 

[Beendair Donedat]

In a couple years, I think you'll see something like this:

Tinordi - Subban
Beaulieu - Dietz
Gorges - Emelin/Ellis

Good mix of size, talent and toughness.

 

[Draft]

I like what I've seen from Dietz. How come he gets no love? Seems like a very well rounded and gritty D man. I think he is a better prospect than Ellis/Thrower. I'd say Nygren too but I know very little about him.

Is there anything he is really lacking that will hold him back from making it to the NHL?

He lacks Pizzaz. He's a decent two-way defenceman but not spectacular at any aspect of the game. He's also a lower-round pick. In terms of how I'd rank them right now...

Nygren
Dietz
Ellis
Thrower

Ellis and Thrower both left something to be desired this year. I've had a couple chances to watch Nygren's games and I've really liked what I've seen. I've seen Dietz play lots in the last couple years and he's outshone Thrower nearly every single game. Ellis was meh when I watched him with Hamilton, not sure I see him as an NHLer.

 

[Matteus]

I like what I've seen from Dietz. How come he gets no love? Seems like a very well rounded and gritty D man. I think he is a better prospect than Ellis/Thrower. I'd say Nygren too but I know very little about him.

Is there anything he is really lacking that will hold him back from making it to the NHL?

I wouldn't say he gets no love. I'm sure many here see him being part of the line up...after at least one and more probably two years in the AHL.

I see him as a full time NHLer by 2015-16 and it seems to me he has top 4 potential; good two way with some grit.

 

[Draft]

To be entirely honest, I can't see Dietz, Thrower, Ellis, Bennet, or Pateryn becoming NHL regulars. They seem like good prospects but I haven't seen anything spectacular in them that would make me believe they'd ever be more than bottom-pairing defenceman at best.

Tinordi, Beaulieu, and Nygren are the only prospects I see capable of potentially playing on the Habs in non-depth/starter roles in the next couple of years.