this was mentioned in the TJ Brodie signing thread, but very very true
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Spending the last few days researching TJ Brodie’s now-completed contract extension leads to one inevitable conclusion: if you’ve got a good, young blueliner on your roster, hold on to him like he’s a Sparkling Elsa doll during the upcoming Christmas rush. (Ask your daughter.) Difference makers on defence will be very hard to find
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I counted seven: Cody Franson, Alec Martinez and Jeff Petry (all 27 and UFAs next July 1); Luke Schenn (26 in 2016); Victor Hedman and Dmitri Kulikov (both 26 in 2017); and Cam Fowler (26 in 2018). That’s not much, and there’s no guarantee all of them — especially Hedman — go up for bid.
Who would you take over Brodie in that group? Hedman? Sure. You can debate Fowler. Anyone else? He compares very favourably.
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I often think that teams look at flashy offensive star power and overlook the importance of a strong blueline (see: Avs)....... but getting a young top blueliner to stabalize your team is very very difficult and a very difficult commodity to acquire.
I think we are about 1 blueliner from being very very solid... In addition to Brodie/Gio, I think Wotherspoon is goign to be a top 4er.. we'll have to see about Sieloff but adding 1 more to that group would be great.