Quote:
Originally Posted by Sample00
In my Facebook status I posted the Flames moving past the Oilers in the standings which prompted a verbal barrage between some of my Oiler friends and myself.
One of the comments came up about defence.
His remarks were as follows:
I'd take Sekera, Russell, Larsson & Klefbom & Nurse over Stone any day of the week.
Thoughts??
Frankly I think my Oiler friend has been sucking back the blue koolaid.
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I'll give it a shot. Would I take these Oilers over Stone?
Sekera - nope, but they are pretty different players to me. The Flames have other defensemen that play his role that I prefer.
Russell - nope
Larsson - maybe... he's younger and they are about the same size. Stone has put up a little bit more offence. Neither has much playoff experience. Larsson's career +/- is quite a bit better. I'd consider Larsson for sure. Larsson is also a very physical player with 3 hits per game over Stone's average of 2 (that being said, hits are not a stat that I view as very reliable from building to building).
Klefbom - not sure what to make of Klefbom. He's having a solid year offensively with 11 goals. I do wonder if his goal scoring is sustainable since his previous high was 4 last year (in 30 games) and 2 on any team before that. He doesn't hit much despite being the same size as Stone and Larsson, but he's looked pretty good when I've watched. Going forward I would probably take Klefbom but for the remainder of the season, given the D on Calgary already, I would keep Stone. His chemistry with Brodie is a factor too.
Nurse - just for this season? definitely not. Going forward, I'm not sure. I can't quite get a read on Nurse, but so far I haven't liked him that much. He has the draft pedigree and he's got the frame and the skating to be a top pairing D. If there were an off-season 1 for 1 trade possibility I would probably risk it on the basis of upside.