Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
I think it's a bit crazy that Erik Gudbranson has "solidifed a spot".
On paper, Gudbranson should be our #7D. He's been better, but that's moreso a knock on Zadorov and Valimaki not playing to their potential.
Getting to that point by mid-season should be the goal.
It requires Zadorov and Valimaki to play better and steal that role from him.
But it requires flexibility and meritocracy in the roster.
I want Gudbranson to be strong depth, not our #5 defenseman.
That should 100% be Valimaki, because he is the guy closest to the skillset of a top four defenseman.
It's on him to to steal Gudbranson's spot as #5 by really playing like this:
That anticipation, timing, and recognition... it's gamechanging.
It shouldn't be a matter of "who plays with Gudbranson"
It should be a matter of "who gets to play with Valimaki".
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I don't really give a damn who's in the #5 spot as long as he's playing well in that role, regardless of whether it's Gudbranson, Valimaki, Zadorov, or Harvey the f-ing Hound...