I think we’re across the board getting too obsessed with the labels of “first pairing,” “third pairing,” “first line,” etc. A developing team doesn’t have defined slots.
In certain situations where a team is “deep” at a position, that can be true.
With the current CBJ, Zack Werenski, and the build of the defense, they have a #1D that needs a PARTNER during 5 on 5 situations against the best players on the other team….
Ideally, this PAIR would play the MAJORITY of the HARD minutes together, and be used as the “top pair”.
Overall, there STILL hasn’t been enough changes to the defense. Gudbranson is probably literally our BEST option as your #2. We still extremely lack physicality. We’re not gonna be HURT by losing Bean or Boqvist, but, I’m not sure JMFJ is the answer to our defensive issues unless his defensive awareness has completely flip flopped from his last time as a CBJ.