Speculation: Its going to be a seller's market at the deadline for Top 4Dmen- Who will be available??

[PlayersLtd]

This is a great one, when we talk about the change in hockey terminology these days.

We have this new breed and generation of fan, and even some younger guys in the media, who misinterpret what the term “Top 4 Dman” actually means (to some) today, from what it used to mean for decades.. Actually what it still means in hockey circles.

It used to mean to all fans and media as well….. A top dman, who would play in everyone’s Top 4, in every circumstance. Didn’t matter what team. Basically a Dman who could “Carry a Pairing.”

For example, Larry Murphy wasn’t considered a “Top 4” Dman in the late 90s, just because he played with Nick Lidstrom for a couple hundred straight games. He wouldn’t have played in Toronto’s Top 4 and Toronto wasn’t anywhere near winning cups, like Detroit was. Today, there’s fans who would call him a top pairing Dman, because he technically played on Detroit’s top pairing every year.

Today, because fans are so literal, they’d call him a Top 4 Dman. To the point they’d be upset and argue if you tried to correct them. We’ve all tried.

In hockey terms, It doesn’t mean someone who plays in a Top 4 with a good/great partner, or on the Sharks for example. It still doesn’t when scouts, etc, say “top 4 Dman.” Those bloggers and vloggers misinterpret it a lot as well..

The ONLY Top 4 Dman who we know is on the market is Cam Fowler. An aging one, but still a legit Top 4 Dman. When he’s traded, he’ll either carry a second pairing, or more likely (at this stage of his career) be a supporting Top 4 Dman. He’s gonna play in someone’s Top 4. Good bet it’s Detroit’s coincidentally.

Don't you think it's different now though? The game and skill sets have changed. I think there are more top 4 potential D out there than there ever was.

The fact that even the worst D skaters today could hold their own against an average 'top pairing' skater from previous generations gives a lesser D man today a better chance at slotting into a top 4 role than in generations past.

Also, there is more structure in today's game which results in good coaches being able to get more out of lesser players, or lesser players end up being a better fit within a certain system.

Back in the day you had an excess of dmen playing in the top 4 who as you say likely didn't deserve the label. There was a lot of value placed on the one dimensional big stay at home shot blocking and net front clearing d men, like Stephane Quintal say, and those guys got top four minutes without being top 4 talents.

Today however, because d men are by and large better skaters and puck handlers/movers than before I think you have a bigger talent pool of true top 4 dmen and you also have more bottom pairing players who have the potential to rise up and hold their own in a top 4 role if properly utilized by the coach or if they mesh with a particular system.

 

[KurtDangle]

Hampus Lindholm might be

 

[Hockeyfan200]

Hampus Lindholm might be

boston

It appears OP is right, that is a horrendous crop of defenseman available

lol you mean the op didnt do any research at all. Minnesota is a playoff team who just gave middleton a large extension. Gave Bog a two year extension

*DISCLAIMER - not all of these guys are top 4 guys I'm strictly choosing teams who I believe could miss, and have guys available with less than 2 years on their deal.

My guess for defenders that will be on the market if these teams:

From Eastern Conference Teams:
Pittsburgh - Marcus Pettersson, Matt Grzelcyk
Columbus - Ivan Provorov, Eric Gudbranson?, Jack Johnson
Montreal - David Savard
Philadelphia - Eric Johnson

+ maybe

NYI - Mike Reilly
Detroit - Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Olli Maatta
Ottawa - Travis Hamonic
Buffalo - Connor Clifton, Henri Jokiharju

From Western Conference Teams
Anaheim - Cam Fowler?? (unlikely), Brian Dumoulin, Urho Vaakanainen
Chicago - Connor Murphy??, Alec Martinez
Seattle - Jamie Oleksiak??, Josh Mahura, William Borgen
SJ - Cody Ceci, Jan Rutta,

+ maybe

Calgary - Rasmus Andersson?? (unlikely), Tyson Barrie
LA - Vladislav Gavrikov, Andreas Englund
Minnesota - Jacob Middleton, Zach Bogosian, John Merrill
St Louis - Nick Leddy, Ryan Suter
Utah - Ian Cole, Robert Bortuzzo

No disrespect, but you didn't do any research. Wild are easily a playoff team and gave a monster 5 year extension to Jacob Middleton before season started with full NMC. Bogo has two years extension, lol