It's true that the play in the defensive zone can be lacking. That's to some degree taking the bad with the good as far as choosing to have skilled but less physical D goes. Sort of like living with Karlsson defensively because you know what you get offensively. Sure I'd love a Regher back there - what team wouldn't?
The problem this year is that the goaltending isn't good enough to make the defensive problems a manageable problem. Last year Brodie made more defensive miscues than this year IMO. But Ramo and Hiller were generally up to the task (and Ortio in his 6 game span).
I also think Jokipakka and Wotherspoon can provide some solid, if not punishing, defence.
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