[Cali Panthers Fan]

So we are in year 1 of a rebuild (or year 4-5 depending on how you look at it) and the forward pool has been stocked pretty well and we will likely continue to add to it for the next year or two. The goaltending situation is stocked pretty well between Gillies, Ortio, and Brossoit, not to mention the guys that will likely play pro this year. I feel like the next big step is getting our defense in order. Now I know there are pieces there right now, but I went back and looked at the group from 03-04 when the Flames were 3rd overall in goals against. Ok, so we know that Kipper was lights out that year, and it was the clutch and grab era, but the group of defenders was still very solid if unspectacular and all went on to have decent careers:

Jordan Leopold, Toni Lydman, Robyn Regehr, Rhett Warrener, Denis Gauthier, Andrew Ference, (Steve Montadore, Mike Commodore).

Now I know the game has changed, but look at the quality of defender in that top six (Gauthier haters please don't reply to that statement), as well as the physicality in that group. Only Leopold and Lydman were real puck movers (maybe Ference). The rest were stay at home defenders who were absolute warriors in their own zone.

For comparison, here's the group a season later that was #7 in goals against (with lots of help from Kipper), and for my money was the best group we had since the cup winning days:

Dion Phaneuf (in his best season), Roman Hamrlik, Robyn Regehr, Jordan Leopold, Rhett Warrener, Andrew Ference (Bryan Marchment, Richie Regehr, Cale Hulse, Mark Giordano, Steve Montador)

*I know team defense plays a big part of the numbers, but you still have to evaluate the talent in the position.*

Here's today's group:

Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Dennis Wideman, Chris Butler, Kris Russell, Shane O'Brien (Derek Smith)

Here's my take; Brodie reminds me of a slightly better version of Leopold; Giordano reminds me of none of these guys, but has elements of Hamrlik and Ference; Wideman is a poor, poor man's Phaneuf; Butler is Richie Regehr or Cale Hulse; Kris Russell is ?; Shane O'Brien is Bryan Marchment;
Derek Smith reminds me of the undeveloped version of Giordano.

So in the end we have no Regehr or Warrener and a substandard Phaneuf. We don't have enough physicality or tenaciousness on defense in the current lineup.

Now let's look at the kids that are close:

Tyler Wotherspoon-very solid stay at home defender with some offensive ability that is undeveloped. Probably at least a 2nd pairing defenseman, but not sure who is comparable is yet.
Patrick Sieloff-very physical hard hitting stay at home defender with a decent point shot. A warrior who reminds me of Regehr.
John Ramage-another very solid stay at home defender with good character and leadership. Reminds me of a less physical Warrener.
Ryan Culkin-has some work to do to make the NHL. Could be a decent defender with good puck moving skills.
Keegan Kanzig-huge, physical, intelligent, and mean spirited. Has to work on his skating and positioning, but could be a bottom pairing defender. Has no comparable in Flames history.
Eric Roy-good size and offensive instincts, but poor in his own zone and needs to work on understanding the game. Not sure he'll make the NHL.
Brett Kulak-was tabbed as a solid defender and leader, but looked terrible at the recent development camps. He will probably not make the NHL.
Mark Cundari-reminds me of Steve Montador but more offensive.

So here's my question. We all keep talking about how we are lacking that top defender to pair with Brodie, and we clearly do not have that person in the organization right now, but do we have enough other prospects to fill out a quality defense group? Do we have a lot more work to do? What else, if anything, do you think we need to focus on in terms of a type of player?