The best d-man of NJ Devils #1

[hidek91]

Doesn't need an explanation.

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[AB13]

PK Subban obviously is the most talented hockey player, but at the moment I would say Butcher.

 

[Bouboumaster]

At his best, it's Subban, hands down.
I don't know what happened to him last year, but I've seen him play in Montreal, and I watched him dominate in the playoffs in Nashville. If he can go back to that level of play, it's him.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Severson is comical defensively and only slightly above average offensively, I like what I’ve read about Murray but never really paid specific attention to him when watching CBJ so I can’t comment, Butcher hasn’t shown he can be a bonafide top 4 guy, Smith hasn’t even played an NHL game, and Subban was pretty brutal last year.

This Devils fan will still say Subban because I believe he can put together a much better season than last year’s showing. Either way, D is still concern for NJ.

 

[AfroThunder396]

This is very clearly Damon Severson, I get that he's polarizing in the Devils fanbase but Subban is nothing more than a #4 with a big name and Butcher is a bottom pairing PP specialist.

I would bet that in a vacuum Murray is probably better, but he hasn't played a game for them yet and probably only plays 60% of a given season.

 

[LuckyBoeser]

I probably would go Murray than Butcher. It will be interesting to see where Smith ranks after he has his rookie season.

 

[The Moose is Loose]

Went with Murray. Really is a lackluster group when you remember that you’re getting a current not even a top 4 defenseman level PK Subban.

 

[BKarchitect]

This is very clearly Damon Severson, I get that he's polarizing in the Devils fanbase but Subban is nothing more than a #4 with a big name and Butcher is a bottom pairing PP specialist.

I would bet that in a vacuum Murray is probably better, but he hasn't played a game for them yet and probably only plays 60% of a given season.

Rational take. Severson gets heavily docked for defensive lapses and having him as your top (or arguably in your top 3) of defenders is not ideal but not sure any of the others have a strong case right now. I mean in a perfect world, PK retakes this in a poll a year from now with a healthy Murray and rising Smith knocking on the door but none of those are sure bets to happen this season.

The mentions of Butcher are weird...I feel like Devils fans are realistic about what he is (sheltered bottom pairing defensemen who is a PP specialist) yet somehow there’s a perception out there that he’s a top 4 defender. He’s not even a top 4 ES defenseman on the Devils and with his foot speed he would get absolutely murderized in a bigger minute role (that a guy like Severson has been forced into). He’s a very limited player. To their credit, the Devils haven’t often asked him to really be any more than he is. I guess that’s what inspires the takes that he’s “better” than a guy like Severson.

 

[EXTRAS]

Subban. He had one bad half year stats-wise. Expect him to get back to being a top pairing guy (although not outright superstar) soon.

 

[780il]

Not great options lol. Went with Subban, even though he fell off he’s still better than the rest.

 

[MessierII]

The ghost of pk is still the best amongst this sad sack. Always liked Ty Smith though look out for him going forward.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Subban might be among those who benefit from the extended break.

If I were him, I’d take this opportunity to re-focus on my hockey career and be a top player in the league again.

He still has all the physical tools, just needs to improve speed, conditioning and decision making.

 

[elitepete]

Subban - #2D
Murray - #3D
Severson - #4D
Smith - #5D
Butcher - #5D
Kulikov - #6D
Carrick - #7D

That is a pretty crappy defense if Subban doesn’t bounce back.

 

[bobholly39]

Subban. One bad season doesn't change that. No one else is even close to his level

 

[Lebowski]

Subban by default for now.

 

[HyPnOtiK]

Severson, sadly

 

[HyPnOtiK]

Subban - #2D
Murray - #3D
Severson - #4D
Smith - #5D
Butcher - #5D
Kulikov - #6D
Carrick - #7D

That is a pretty crappy defense if Subban doesn’t bounce back.

Subban is a 4 at best at this point

 

[Fatass]

PK is still the best D man in Jersey. That’s one of the reasons why the team drafts so high.

 

[elitepete]

Subban is a 4 at best at this point

I’m thinking he bounces back to atleast a #2D with all this time off from the game to properly heal his injuries and train.

 

[TopCheese]

Went with subban. Lots of question marks with this d and I don’t see any bonafide 1st pair guys unless subban gets back on track

 

[NJ DevLolz]

This is very clearly Damon Severson - he's a very good #3 and can pass as a #2. If Subban could lose some weight, he'd be better but it doesn't look like it based on Instagram pictures.