Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylvanfan
These so called `Super' defense units with too many top 3-4 guys seldom seem to work out.
Nashville works well because they have a clearly established top 4, and a third pair that they can play for 12 minutes a night. Tying to shuffle 5 guys for top 4 ice time just seems to result in a unit that lacks cohesiveness.
Really I thought Stone was a nice addition last year because him and Brodie did play well together and the Flames had a top 4 they could put out for 48 minutes a night. The players all seemed to know what their role was, and were able to play that role.
I think you want to have that top 4, and emerging guys on the bottom pair who can take a bit more when injuries hit. But if you try to play an entire season with 5 top 4 guys...I think the unit as a whole doesn't seem to find it's stride.
So once they find a true number 4, I'd be looking to the bargain bin for another 5-6-7 guy come in and compete with the lower end depth.
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Since this relates to exactly what you're talking about. Here's a quote from the Francis article linked a few posts up from this.
"The club’s priority over the next few days revolves around acquiring a high-end defenceman to round out a top four every bit as impressive as Nashville’s and Anaheim’s.
The plan after that is to land a significant fifth defenceman to ensure at all times the team’s biggest strength revolves around its back end.
“That’s the model,” said Flames GM Brad Treliving of a direction many teams want to take but only a few can."
I think getting an amazing top 5 defense would really makes us a cup contender soon. We'd have the depth to survive an injury or two to the blue line. I know some people think we need a winger for some reason but I'm fine with the forwards mostly as is and spend all our spare money on getting a really good 4th and 5th dman. We already have enough dynamic talent and skill up front IMO, it just needs to mature. Rounding out the defense makes us a real threat.