Larsson played the 2nd most ES minutes in the regular season followed by the most ES minutes by over 2 minutes in the playoffs AND logged the most ice time at over 23 minutes a game
you need to watch closer
the only reason he'll never be a #1 d-man is due to his lack of offense
Taylor Hall is a good #1 LWer, no one ever disputed that...problem with him is that he's often injured, never hit 30 goals and hasn't elevated NJ's offense one bit
Yes, and I mentioned that he's still playing his defensive-role second to Kris Russell and that is not good. I wasn't looking at playoffs since that's a very small sample size at the end of the day but I think you're overstating his role in the playoffs. His ATOI was only 23 minutes because he played 40+ minutes in a game that went to double OT. He was typically averaging 20/21 minutes. Regardless, just because he averages more minutes on a thin defence doesn't speak as a testament to his abilities.
You don't want your top 3 defencemen to lack an offensive game. Strictly stay-at-home defenceman should either be in your bottom 3 (ex. Engelland) or paired with someone with a weaker defensive game. Guys like Larsson might be a good fit, as I mentioned in my original post, but value-wise, they are not worth Hall. Also don't get me wrong, Larsson >> Engelland, I was just giving an example.
Regarding Taylor Hall, he missed 10 games last year and was still tied for the team lead in points. Injury-wise, that seems pretty normal seem and he definitely added to that offence. No one player, unless they're a McDavid or Crosby-type, can really overhaul an offence on their own. I don't see the 30 goals part as a big deal either. He can carry a line, no doubt about that.
Honestly. There is zero reason Calgary should have 3 players in the top 20 for Defenseman. I am 100% sure I would take Nashvilles top Four over Calgary's top Four. I'd even take Nashvilles top three over Calgarys Top 3 and Ekholm/Ellis aren't close to being picked right now.
This sounds more like jealousy than an actual argument. Nashville's defence is being (deservedly) hyped because of their long playoff run but it might distort their values a bit. While their top 2 guys are arguably equal or better than the guys in our top 3, Ekholm and Ellis are just behind these five guys imo.
That didn't stop Chicago when they had a solid D group the last couple years.
Uhhh I think any Chicago fan would tell you that their bottom pairing defencemen were a burden. If TVR hadn't come around, I don't think you'd be making this comment. What carried them in the past was their unmatched forward depth, underrated but ridiculously good goalie, a game-breaking defencemen, and an excellent coach.