Egresch
Registered User
- Jul 10, 2022
- 1,224
- 1,692
Top 4 right-handed defenseman is for me the biggest need for Habs in the summer. Acqisition of Alex Carrier showed how much of an impact this could bring to the team. With emergence of Lane Hutson as a clear top 4 offensive dynamo we should be looking for someone who could complement him on right side and eat a lot of minutes. I have looked at RHDs around the league and tried to find interesting players who might be available. I have filtered players who are 30 and younger and who are at least 6'0". I have found 10 interesting names and compared them to Mike Matheson.
A Class
Erik Černák- big, stay-at-home D with two Stanley Cup rings Černák would fit amazingly next to Lane Hutson. He is No1 in hits from my group and his low number of giveaways is insane. Just 18 (only 8 in defensive zone) in 42 games, he is class of his own in reliability. He is signed for 6 more years at 5,2M. He has no-trade clause in his contract, but I am sure he would consider playing with his friend Slaf. Unfortunately, Tampa has no reason to trade him, maybe if they fail in playoffs again, they would be willing for some changes. Bit slow.
Braden Schneider- he is just 23, but already has over 250 NHL games under his belt. He is big, hits, blocks shots, but his turnovers are concerning. Basically at the level of Matheson, but he is playing way less time. It might be the mess around Rangers, because his numbers were way better previous seasons. I am hearing Rangers really like him, however they just extended Will Borgen for 5 more years. Having Adam Fox as their clear RD1, this might block his way to top 4. Any trade with Rangers would be very complicated. RFA in summer 2026.
Rasmus Andersson- obvious solution, experienced Swede who be a great top4 D, better suited to Guhle than Hutson. There would be 30 other teams in trade discussion, so price will be huge. He can play any situation and eat ton of minutes. His next contract demands are big question mark. The least physical guy on my list.
Aaron Ekblad- Stanley cup champion, former 1st OA pick is aiming to UFA status this summer. Panthers need to decide between him and Sam Bennett, but Ekblad looks lie more crucial players as he plays over 23 minutes per game, both PP and PK. If he reaches free agency, he would ask for big contract with term. His injury history is concerning, he is still just 28, but his body is quite damaged. Speed is concerning as well.
Neal Pionk- at 6'0", Pionk is the smallest player on my list. Clear RD1 for Winnipeg, he might become free agent this summer. He can play any situation, basically the same type as Andersson. He would fit great next to Guhle, maybe less with Hutson. Pionk will turn 30 this summer and he will look for huge contract. His playoff history is little concerning, but we would not lose any assets if we can sign him as free agent. His giveaways are quite high if you consider he is playing for a very strong team.
B Class
Noah Dobson- big, young, RFA this summer, we would need to pay hefty price in the potential trade and contract extension. Very similar profile to Matheson, not sure if that is the best fit. We should be looking for more defensive minded player as we do not really need to pay for point production. He would not play PP1 with us. Not overly physical for 6'4", but he is a great shot blocker even if he does not play o lot PK. Would he be willng to shift his playing style from PP1, 70 points player to more defensive minded player?
Rasmus Ristolainen- bit surprising name on the list, but his numbers look intriguing. Already 30, he is signed for 2 more years at 5,1M and could be a short-term solution which would give enough time for our prospects like Reinbacher, Engstrom or Mailloux. Speed is not an issue. His turnovers are OK if you consider he plays for shit team. He hits, blocks shots.
Brandon Carlo- 28, signed for 2 more years at 4,1M. His big frame could fit well next to, but his lack of speed is a concern. This is his worst season defensively and the main question would be if he can bounce back or he is already on decline due to lack of speed, similar to Savard. Would be surprisng if we trade with Bruins.
C Class
Johnathan Kovacevic- good old Johny K might reach free agency in the summer. He had a stong start with Devils, but slowed down recently to his true standard. He would be an upgrade to Savard, but not a solution for top 4.
Nick Perbix- same category as Kovy, free agent this summer. At 26, he never played top 4 role in NHL. Big, but not physical, his lack of speed is limiting him. He might be slight improvement on Savard at RD3, but does not really solve anything for us.
Few honorable mentions would be Colton Parayko who is already 31, but he has no-trade clause in his contract, same as MacKenzie Weegar. Šimon Nemec could be a young version of Andersson/Pionk. He would fit perfectly with Guhle, but this still leaves a gap next to Hutson.
A Class
Erik Černák- big, stay-at-home D with two Stanley Cup rings Černák would fit amazingly next to Lane Hutson. He is No1 in hits from my group and his low number of giveaways is insane. Just 18 (only 8 in defensive zone) in 42 games, he is class of his own in reliability. He is signed for 6 more years at 5,2M. He has no-trade clause in his contract, but I am sure he would consider playing with his friend Slaf. Unfortunately, Tampa has no reason to trade him, maybe if they fail in playoffs again, they would be willing for some changes. Bit slow.
Braden Schneider- he is just 23, but already has over 250 NHL games under his belt. He is big, hits, blocks shots, but his turnovers are concerning. Basically at the level of Matheson, but he is playing way less time. It might be the mess around Rangers, because his numbers were way better previous seasons. I am hearing Rangers really like him, however they just extended Will Borgen for 5 more years. Having Adam Fox as their clear RD1, this might block his way to top 4. Any trade with Rangers would be very complicated. RFA in summer 2026.
Rasmus Andersson- obvious solution, experienced Swede who be a great top4 D, better suited to Guhle than Hutson. There would be 30 other teams in trade discussion, so price will be huge. He can play any situation and eat ton of minutes. His next contract demands are big question mark. The least physical guy on my list.
Aaron Ekblad- Stanley cup champion, former 1st OA pick is aiming to UFA status this summer. Panthers need to decide between him and Sam Bennett, but Ekblad looks lie more crucial players as he plays over 23 minutes per game, both PP and PK. If he reaches free agency, he would ask for big contract with term. His injury history is concerning, he is still just 28, but his body is quite damaged. Speed is concerning as well.
Neal Pionk- at 6'0", Pionk is the smallest player on my list. Clear RD1 for Winnipeg, he might become free agent this summer. He can play any situation, basically the same type as Andersson. He would fit great next to Guhle, maybe less with Hutson. Pionk will turn 30 this summer and he will look for huge contract. His playoff history is little concerning, but we would not lose any assets if we can sign him as free agent. His giveaways are quite high if you consider he is playing for a very strong team.
B Class
Noah Dobson- big, young, RFA this summer, we would need to pay hefty price in the potential trade and contract extension. Very similar profile to Matheson, not sure if that is the best fit. We should be looking for more defensive minded player as we do not really need to pay for point production. He would not play PP1 with us. Not overly physical for 6'4", but he is a great shot blocker even if he does not play o lot PK. Would he be willng to shift his playing style from PP1, 70 points player to more defensive minded player?
Rasmus Ristolainen- bit surprising name on the list, but his numbers look intriguing. Already 30, he is signed for 2 more years at 5,1M and could be a short-term solution which would give enough time for our prospects like Reinbacher, Engstrom or Mailloux. Speed is not an issue. His turnovers are OK if you consider he plays for shit team. He hits, blocks shots.
Brandon Carlo- 28, signed for 2 more years at 4,1M. His big frame could fit well next to, but his lack of speed is a concern. This is his worst season defensively and the main question would be if he can bounce back or he is already on decline due to lack of speed, similar to Savard. Would be surprisng if we trade with Bruins.
C Class
Johnathan Kovacevic- good old Johny K might reach free agency in the summer. He had a stong start with Devils, but slowed down recently to his true standard. He would be an upgrade to Savard, but not a solution for top 4.
Nick Perbix- same category as Kovy, free agent this summer. At 26, he never played top 4 role in NHL. Big, but not physical, his lack of speed is limiting him. He might be slight improvement on Savard at RD3, but does not really solve anything for us.
Few honorable mentions would be Colton Parayko who is already 31, but he has no-trade clause in his contract, same as MacKenzie Weegar. Šimon Nemec could be a young version of Andersson/Pionk. He would fit perfectly with Guhle, but this still leaves a gap next to Hutson.
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