EJ, Barrie, Zadorov, Girard, Makar, Cole, Nemeth. This is not "not good," it's clearly in the top half, maybe top 10 in the league.
I was typing this out when I read it as well. That’s a top 10 defense. Just no true elite #1. But there is a good pairing out there 60 minutes a game.
This right here. I feel like the (very warranted at the time) fact we HAD shitty defense in years past is still being held in the minds of people, even Avs fans, up to today. We don't have a true #1 (yet, see: Makar
), but EJ, Barrie, Z, and Girard are all at least top four guys and can all play on the top two if needed, not to mention the nice mix of shutdown guys that can move the puck if needed in EJ and Z with the offensive juggernauts in Barrie and Girard that run the PP and are pivotal to making the Avs fast paced style work. Then Cole and Nemeth are, despite their shortcomings, fine on the bottom six and you need guys like them to block shots and just not be too stupid (although Cole is pushing it on that last point).
As Girard, Z, and Makar get better, and eventually with Timmons hopefully, the D has a very very bright outlook and is likely one of the more stable parts for the team moving forward.