Engelland has zero puck skills and agility. Cory Sarich looks like a Paul Coffey compared to him. Yes, he's picked up his defensive zone awareness and physicality, and has done better in terms of trying to get pucks out with regularity, but he's barely a 3rd pairing defenseman in the current NHL. If you're going to succeed in the new fast-paced, skilled NHL, all 6 defensemen need to be able to skate a puck out of harm's way, or at least do more than ice it when pressured.
Lots of character and effort, but his talent is nearly at Brian McGrattan levels. I'd be happy with him as a 7th d-man going forward, but having him on our second pairing is very much less than ideal.
This is not to say I don't appreciate what he's done in the absence of Giordano, but having him on the 2nd pair points to the fact that we still seriously need to upgrade our defense, especially NHL level depth.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
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