Quote:
Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy
I don't think the D is 'bad' but they certainly lack proven puck movers and Dmen with offensive flair. Not going to get offense from Tanev/Zadarov/Gudbranson so they really need Andersson/Hanifin/Valimaki/Kylington to step up as a group.
You'd feel a lot better about the D if they had a true #1, like Gio 3-4 years ago.
|
The D is actually better than 2004 IMO. Reg was the only star defenceman and he was only 23. He may be better than Tanev as a shutdown, but not by much. But Leopold, Lydman, Warrener and Ference were just OK, and Commodore, Mondador and Gauthier were replacement level IMO. But that year, under Sutter, those guys were very effective. None of the D, including Leopold and Lydman, ever played better than when they did in Calgary. I think Hanifin is a better raw talent than Lydman or Leopold and so is Rasmus for that matter.