Quote:
Originally Posted by colbym72
My one concern with the defense is we do not have a definitively elite defenseman. Weegar could be close. I think we have a lot of really good defenseman but no one that is a gamechanger offensively.
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Counterpoint is we have relatively young defensemen who could still develop into gamechangers offensively.
Valimaki - 23 (obviously huge camp for him)
Hanifin - 25
Andersson - 25
Kylington - 25
Weegar - 28
I think there's a high likelihood we see all of the above (barring trades or demotions to the A) get a shot on the PP early this season. I agree there isn't a standout favorite to take the "Flames #1 Offensive Defenseman" title, but it really could be any of them, and that to me is more promising than assuming 1 guy's the guy and it backfires.
The other part of this discussion is the Flames haven't had a real offensive threat from the blueline for a few years now. Gio's Norris year was probably the most recent, beyond that it's been a while.