Not sure if this qualifies, but I really think Solovyov is just almost there. He has size and can throw devastating hits. Decent food speed, moves the puck decently enough too. I feel he can become a very stable defensive partner for a more high-octane defencemen, but who can still be a legitimate threat from the point or who can transition the puck well enough. Biggest hit of the season last year was him in preseason.
One guy that nobody talks about any longer is Jeremie Poirier. He is waiver eligible this year, He had some horrible luck with injuries in the past (and he isn't injury prone - the longest injury was 2 seasons ago, and it was from a nasty cut). He started off really slow after not playing in so long, but by the end of the season, he blew past all the other defencemen. I think he gets a longer look this year, and maybe makes the team.
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