Is Martin enough to get this D to league average?

[SnowblindNYR]

I think league average D with this offense we'll be a pretty damn good team. Wonder if you guys think he's enough to have us jump in that range.

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[GoAwayPanarin]

I think league average D with this offense we'll be a pretty damn good team. Wonder if you guys think he's enough to have us jump in that range.

If we had replaced Staal with someone other than Johnson, maybe.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Also, league average means how the D plays not GAA. I think we'll get to league average GAA by virtue of our goaltending regardless.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Martin isn't going to magically fix what Ruff couldn't. You can polish a turd, it's still a turd. The best coach in the world can't fix a defense that has Jack Johnson and Brendan Smith on it full-time

 

[GAGLine]

If they can fix the PK, that should be enough (for now), as long as the goaltending and offense perform as expected.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Probably not, the personnel he's working with definitely has to be better unless he's a literal hockey god

 

[SnowblindNYR]

What are the odds of Miller making it and replacing one of the scrubs?

 

[GAGLine]

What are the odds of Miller making it and replacing one of the scrubs?

Just based on his experience and that fact that most dmen start out in the AHL after college, I would think the odds are pretty low. He might get a few games early though, or be on the taxi squad, depending on when AHL camps start.

There's always a chance that he makes it, of course, but I don't want to rush him just to replace someone like Smith and Johnson.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

This is a very similar situation to 2010-11. Back that year, Staal and Girardi were known, Emminger was a scapegoat before putting on a Rangers jersey, Roszival was viewed as redundant, and no one knew McD would be ready and Sauer could surprise.

This year, the entire right side is known, Lindgren is good, Johnson is essentially Emminger, and the young kids are the unknown. It only takes one of Reunnenan/K. Miller/Robertson to make the team and it changes the entire dynamic. Two make the team and they'll be fine.

The only difference is the forwards were really good PKers in the Torts and AV years, but last year they were the drizzling shits.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

What are the odds of Miller making it and replacing one of the scrubs?

A late 1st round D-man in his D+3, is probably not going to jump straight into an NHL line-up coming out of college. This isn't Makar or Hughes we're talking about. It took Brady Skjei 4 full years to become an NHL regular

 

[cwede]

Every year is different.
Lindgren and Fox a year more experienced, Trouba past his first year here.
Smith in a pending UFA status.
Bitetto or Tarmo or even Hajek (dare i mention the other guy...) maybe complement the returnees.
So, sure, this group's response to Jacques/Quinn could result in a tighter performance than last season(s)

 

[will1066]

I just keep thinking/hoping Smith can turn it around, if he can get his head out of the sand, lose 21 pounds, and stay out of the box. He still has a decent tool box to play decent defense when he's not being a tool.

 

[NYRKing]

No. Chances are this group will really struggle. Trouba has no partner. Smith is not a top 4 d man. Ada has no partner. Lingren and Fox have immense potential but a software slump is real. The rest are complete unknowns.

Way too many hurdles to have things break right, but I would love to be wrong.

 

[Thirty One]

No.

 

[Raspewtin]

No

1. Jack Johnson and Brendan Smith still exist

2. Trouba needs a bounce back from last year

3. Need a LHD better than Lindgren

4. Forwards aren't very good defensively and got worse with Fast's departure.

 

[SA16]

Martin just signed with the Islanders.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Martin just signed with the Islanders.

 

[nyr2k2]

If they had a LHD to play with Trouba I think they could have a GOOD defense, as it would allow Lindgren to play on the second pair exclusively and Smith to play on the third pair. As it stands, Johnson is horrible and will probably be just as bad as Staal. Unless Hajek, Reunanen, Miller or someone can step right in, the defense will still be bad.

Also we have some forwards who are pretty poor in their own end, which doesn't help.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

No. Chances are this group will really struggle. Trouba has no partner. Smith is not a top 4 d man. Ada has no partner. Lingren and Fox have immense potential but a software slump is real. The rest are complete unknowns.

Way too many hurdles to have things break right, but I would love to be wrong.

EA does offer upgrades.........

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

I just keep thinking/hoping Smith can turn it around, if he can get his head out of the sand, lose 21 pounds, and stay out of the box. He still has a decent tool box to play decent defense when he's not being a tool.

Smith has never been a smart player. His problems are all between the ears.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

A late 1st round D-man in his D+3, is probably not going to jump straight into an NHL line-up coming out of college. This isn't Makar or Hughes we're talking about. It took Brady Skjei 4 full years to become an NHL regular

Some could argue Skjei's intelligence still hasn't reached the NHL......

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Some could argue Skjei's intelligence still hasn't reached the NHL......

I know you're joking but here are some more names

Roman Josi needed 3.5 years
Mattias Ekholm 4 years
Shea Theodore 3.5 years
Brady Skjei 4 years
Jaccob Slavin 4 years
Shea Weber 3 years
John Klingberg 4.5 years

 

[huerter]

Whoever first came up with the term 'defenseman' is a real jerkface.

 

[n8]

Martin just signed with the Islanders.

Jacque Martin, dude.

 

[Crease]

It’s not a deep bench. Their #1 isn’t really a #1 and their #5 and #6 are borderline AHL.