Quote:
Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague
To Matty, no, you don't need an elite level defender. Suter isn't even that. They need a top pairing, and they have to hope that Nurse becomes that guy. As for their top 4 on a contending team, I tend to agree; Jultz only counts if he's paired with someone better.
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I didn't say you needed elite, I said you needed something close. Let's look at contenders:
CHI: Keith, (and Seabrooke, who is lesser, but still a great dman.)
MIN: Suter (dude is in Norris contention almost every year. If he's not considered an Elite dman I don't know what is. I think most would have him in their to 5-10), Brodin is on the rise.
NSH: Weber, Josi
NYR: Mcdonagh, Girardi, Staal Boyle (No top elite guys, but a group of guys who are a step or two below to combine for a very strong top 4).
STL: Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk
TBY: Hedman, Stralman having a great year.
MTL: Subban
And playoff teams that arent necessarily contenders:
VAN: Edler and Hamuis are a good top 2
CGY: Gio and Brodie (not to mention Wideman and Russell)
WPG: Buff
ANA and NYI lack the top group, but have great all around top-4 groups similar to NYR.
Nothing edmonton has even comes close to ANY of these players. Or any of their top 4. 1 top 4 defender may get drag them out of the lottery, but if you want a contender, you need top defenseman that are that on any team. Maybe guys lie Nurse and Klefbom can become them, but the Oiler's have given no indication that they're commited to developing that at all.