Top-4 D vs Top-6 W

[Butt Ox]

I'd rather have a bottom sixer who will go a guy over anything, and win his fair share of tilts.

 

[debaser66]

they miss goals from Skinner and dont have a top playmaker in the top6.
Preferably I would add a top playmaking 1C/2C to put Cozens or TT on the wing, should they struggle.
Is Dahlin the top playmaker on the team atm?

 

[DJN21]

Cirelli or Crouse....still

 

[Chainshot]

I hate the composition of their blueline as it stands and I don't think they have enough in their top six... so I would be thinking "both". In a perfect world, all of the kids get better and Quinn breaks out for 40 while Peterka gets close to it, Tage gets back to previous form, and it's all daisies and rainbows. Meanwhile, the defense is still trotting out some guys who struggle to direct play away from their net and aren't particularly solid positionally or even remotely physical that they're going to be pushing into PKing roles and defensive zone starts against tougher competition. One would think they want their most expensive roster player to be getting use on offensive starts with the better quality offensive players on the ice instead of being forced into being one of the few physical players who can play a modicum of defense in his own zone. But I look at what they have and figure he's going to be getting a lot more of that than I like since they don't have a way to balance a pairing out with Power where Power's passing and transition game can shine while someone else is handling the Blankenburg role (still... three years and still don't have that) because they don't seem to have that player at all.

 

[Tatanka]

I'd say the same. Top 6 C who can play W.

A top 6C preferably 1C solves the wing problem with a player already on the roster. Never happen though.

 

[beerme1]

We have young talent at each position. Defense takes longer and is harder. So the clear answer is defense.

While I disagree with your thought somewhat, because we need to replace Skinners production, I just want to tell you , I really appreciate your avatar. RIP RJ! What a guy he was.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Realistically the correct answer is neither - i think both groups are now set in stone. Assuming the remaining RFAs sign we'll have 13F/8D, not including prospects who might make the jump. There isn't any space to add anyone without first trading someone away.

From a pure fantasy POV - I'd make some type of Peterka+ trade for Brady Tkachuk (assuming JJP would be the piece Ottawa coveted the most from us).

For the last ~10 years I've consistently banged the drum for improving/investing in defence harder than anyone. But i finally ike the group we have, outside of replacing Jokiharju with a more stay at home / physical type. Unfortunately I don't see that happening this year though.

 

[Sabre Dance]

While I disagree with your thought somewhat, because we need to replace Skinners production, I just want to tell you , I really appreciate your avatar. RIP RJ! What a guy he was.

RJ was the greatest.

We definitely need to replace Skinners goals but if we’re spending assets I would rather it be spent on a veteran defense. We have our future D set but we need someone to take pressure off the kids.

We need both a top 6 forward and a veteran top 4 defense if we want to compete for anything this upcoming season.

If I had to pick one it’s veteran defense. Emphasis on veteran. I think if we put a top 10 defensive unit out there it’ll free up our forwards.

 

[TageGod]

Let's say Adams makes one more move, what would you rather he adds- a top-4 D or a top-6 W?

I am really surprised people actually think this team needs D. They have like 8 quality NHL D. Top 4 is Dahlin Power Byram Samuelsson. Bottom line is everyone regressed under Granato. You can reasonably expect improvements. That is your top 4, there is no space for an addition. Unless you package Cobra for an upgrade, but he IS the player your are looking for if he is back to form so thats dumb.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I am really surprised people actually think this team needs D. They have like 8 quality NHL D. Top 4 is Dahlin Power Byram Samuelsson. Bottom line is everyone regressed under Granato. You can reasonably expect improvements. That is your top 4, there is no space for an addition. Unless you package Cobra for an upgrade, but he IS the player your are looking for if he is back to form so thats dumb.

My argument is they’re too young on defense. Is this the youngest top 4 and goalie in the league? I believe eventually we should expect to be good overall but not yet.

24, 24, 21, 23, 25. Is there an example of success having an average age of 23 years old for top 4 defense and goalie?

 

[TageGod]

My argument is they’re too young on defense. Is this the youngest top 4 and goalie in the league? I believe eventually we should expect to be good overall but not yet.

24, 24, 21, 23, 25. Is there an example of success having an average age of 23 years old for top 4 defense and goalie?

That was the plan. You don't replace quality simply for the sake of getting older, thats.....awful practice.

 

[Sabre Dance]

That was the plan. You don't replace quality simply for the sake of getting older, thats.....awful practice.

You’re not. Instead of giving all of them top 4 heavy minutes you’d be easing them into it.

Instead we’re depending on them to do it. Plus we don’t have a good shut down pair. So we’re setting these guys up for failure.

 

[Aladyyn]

My argument is they’re too young on defense. Is this the youngest top 4 and goalie in the league? I believe eventually we should expect to be good overall but not yet.

24, 24, 21, 23, 25. Is there an example of success having an average age of 23 years old for top 4 defense and goalie?

Colorado's top 4 was 23, 27, 23, 20 when they won the Cup

 

[Sabre Dance]

Colorado's top 4 was 23, 27, 23, 20 when they won the Cup

Colorado and NY are the closest examples I could find. Colorado had an older goalie.

 

[Jim Bob]

I still think they need to find the right partner for Power.

I do not see any of the current options being a good fit.

But, I do think they need a top 6 playmaker even more. They have a lot of shooters in the top 6 right now and not enough setup guys, IMO. That's why all the talk of needing a top 6 scoring winger isn't the right way to look at what they need.

 

[Faceboner]

I still think they need to find the right partner for Power.

I do not see any of the current options being a good fit.

But, I do think they need a top 6 playmaker even more. They have a lot of shooters in the top 6 right now and not enough setup guys, IMO. That's why all the talk of needing a top 6 scoring winger isn't the right way to look at what they need.

What playmaker do you think is available?

 

[kirby11]

I hate the composition of their blueline as it stands and I don't think they have enough in their top six... so I would be thinking "both". In a perfect world, all of the kids get better and Quinn breaks out for 40 while Peterka gets close to it, Tage gets back to previous form, and it's all daisies and rainbows. Meanwhile, the defense is still trotting out some guys who struggle to direct play away from their net and aren't particularly solid positionally or even remotely physical that they're going to be pushing into PKing roles and defensive zone starts against tougher competition. One would think they want their most expensive roster player to be getting use on offensive starts with the better quality offensive players on the ice instead of being forced into being one of the few physical players who can play a modicum of defense in his own zone. But I look at what they have and figure he's going to be getting a lot more of that than I like since they don't have a way to balance a pairing out with Power where Power's passing and transition game can shine while someone else is handling the Blankenburg role (still... three years and still don't have that) because they don't seem to have that player at all.

My kingdom for a righty version of Tallinder when he was the stabilizing presence for Myers and it gave him the confidence to move/rush the puck more aggressively as a rookie.

To answer the question, I think they need both pieces, but the need for a playmaker in the top 6 slightly trumps the need for another top 4 d-man in my book.

 

[Jim Bob]

What playmaker do you think is available?

I have no idea. Adams should.

I didn't know Ryan McLeod was available prior to the trade going down. And neither did any insiders that produce "trade block" lists.

 

[Fjordy]

What playmaker do you think is available?

Maybe Trevor

 

[KeyserSoze81]

I went with defense, just because the defense (for as expensive as it is) still doesn't make sense. The forward lines finally have some definition, and the gaps can be reasonably addressed internally. It would be really nice to add a top 6 playmaker, but I think they can get by well enough without it.

On defense, they have accumulated some ridiculous talent on large contracts, but have done little to maximize said talent. I don't know where the mythical top 4 defensive specialist RD is going to come from, but remains the biggest hole in the roster. Without it, either Power or Byram are floundering around with Jokiharju, and you are either diminishing someone making $8.35M in Power or the prized trade piece in Byram. You are going to tilt the ice in the wrong direction for 20 minutes/night.

 

[Chainshot]

My kingdom for a righty version of Tallinder when he was the stabilizing presence for Myers and it gave him the confidence to move/rush the puck more aggressively as a rookie.

To answer the question, I think they need both pieces, but the need for a playmaker in the top 6 slightly trumps the need for another top 4 d-man in my book.

John Marino. You just described John Marino.

 

[Dubi Doo]

John Marino. You just described John Marino.

Missed opportunity for sure. Still a bit peeved about that onen

 

[jc17]

My vote would be for the top 4 D.

With that said, Power and Samuelsson played over 200 minutes together the past 2 years, with a 58.8 xGF%. Dahlin and Joker have decent numbers together.

Would it be the worst thing to run

Dahlin-Joker
Sammy-Power
Byram-Clifton

 

[old kummelweck]

Top 6 wing and I do think Adams is trying to do that.

D I don't see him making any personnel changes there - I think he likes the depth and they are expecting improved structure and play, plus Power taking that next step.

 

[kirby11]

My vote would be for the top 4 D.

With that said, Power and Samuelsson played over 200 minutes together the past 2 years, with a 58.8 xGF%. Dahlin and Joker have decent numbers together.

Would it be the worst thing to run

Dahlin-Joker
Sammy-Power
Byram-Clifton

I don't mind these pairings given what they have to work with, but I have a hard time seeing Byram relegated to the 5th defenseman.