Washed Up 29YearOld
Bro Do You Even Hockey?
Jason Botterill has been shoring up the right side of the D this past year or so, after Ristolainen was the #1 D for quite a long time, a role he is ill-suited, at least at this point of his career.
However, late last season Botterill was able to acquire Brandon Montour from the Ducks for 31st overall and Guhle, and IMO, BM looked pretty damn good at only age 25 (D-men peak a bit later)
Many thought the writing was on the wall for Risto during that 2019 trade deadline, but not only did JB keep Risto, but this off-season he also acquired Colin Miller from Vegas and Henri Jokiharju from Chicago. (all RH D)
Watching Borgen this preseason, he looks like he deserves a spot within a couple years or so, he's gritty, physical, positionally exceptional, great classic defensive D-man that this team needs.
Problem is, he also plays the right side.
So the depth chart on the right now looks like: (all 18-19 season)
1. Rasmus Ristolainen: .551 PPG
2. Colin Miller .446 PPG
3. Brandon Montour: .426 PPG
4. Henri Jokiharju .315 PPG
5. Will Borgen .197 PPG*
*(in AHL)
Does Botterill have a RD surplus problem?
Borgen looks like he deserves a look within a year or so, Jokiharju has proven he can play in the NHL at 19 and will deserve opportunity soon, Miller might be the most well-rounded, solid d-man of the bunch, Risto's D play and decision making has been non-surreptitiously criticized, and Montour looks like a new school puck moving D man that any team would need- and came at a fairly large price.
How does Botterill fit everyone in?
Who gets traded? I can't imagine Risto's trade value is sky high right now.
Can any RH D play the left side?
Where does Borgen fit in a few years? Right now he seems like a lock on #4 at best on the depth chart.
Thoughts?
However, late last season Botterill was able to acquire Brandon Montour from the Ducks for 31st overall and Guhle, and IMO, BM looked pretty damn good at only age 25 (D-men peak a bit later)
Many thought the writing was on the wall for Risto during that 2019 trade deadline, but not only did JB keep Risto, but this off-season he also acquired Colin Miller from Vegas and Henri Jokiharju from Chicago. (all RH D)
Watching Borgen this preseason, he looks like he deserves a spot within a couple years or so, he's gritty, physical, positionally exceptional, great classic defensive D-man that this team needs.
Problem is, he also plays the right side.
So the depth chart on the right now looks like: (all 18-19 season)
1. Rasmus Ristolainen: .551 PPG
2. Colin Miller .446 PPG
3. Brandon Montour: .426 PPG
4. Henri Jokiharju .315 PPG
5. Will Borgen .197 PPG*
*(in AHL)
Does Botterill have a RD surplus problem?
Borgen looks like he deserves a look within a year or so, Jokiharju has proven he can play in the NHL at 19 and will deserve opportunity soon, Miller might be the most well-rounded, solid d-man of the bunch, Risto's D play and decision making has been non-surreptitiously criticized, and Montour looks like a new school puck moving D man that any team would need- and came at a fairly large price.
How does Botterill fit everyone in?
Who gets traded? I can't imagine Risto's trade value is sky high right now.
Can any RH D play the left side?
Where does Borgen fit in a few years? Right now he seems like a lock on #4 at best on the depth chart.
Thoughts?