Post-Voynov, is our Defense going to be wretched?

[Captain Mittens*]

especially before christmas

 

[EXTRAS]

What is the defense going to look like? do Forbort or McBain make this team?

 

[Buddy The Elf]

The only thing that concerns me with the kings d this year is the lack of a physical presence. They have Greene, McNabb and Muzzin to a lesser extent but the past few years the kings have had a solid SAH that was physical on the second pairing. Not much DL could do with the cap constraints and availability of someone who fits the mold.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The only thing that concerns me with the kings d this year is the lack of a physical presence. They have Greene, McNabb and Muzzin to a lesser extent but the past few years the kings have had a solid SAH that was physical on the second pairing. Not much DL could do with the cap constraints and availability of someone who fits the mold.

Yeah, and honestly, there's really not a lot of 'crushing' 2nd-pairing defensemen at all throughout the league, if you look around. It's why I've been a big advocate of Byfuglien but that still doesn't really solve the SAH presence. GUys seem to be either first pairing, like Methot (Karlsson's babysitter), or third pairing, not many in between (but to be fair that's probably because a lot of second defense pairing guys are versatile two-way guys).

 

[417th]

Gravel could eventually become that 2nd pairing hard hitting guy that we are looking for but he will need time in the NHL to develop into one. He plays a physical game and is an excellent passer, no panic in him. But with the way our entire system is set up we aren't really even a team that finishes most of its checks let alone one that plays with any real teeth. Bump and run is more in line with our style so unless there is a bit of a culture change I don't know that we will be a team that needs a truly hard hitting physical dman in our top 4.