Erik Gudbranson - Good Defenseman?

[CHGoalie27]

Kuli is top 4, I don't know where Olsen is but he beneath Kulikov.

I wasn't calling Kuli a bottom three caliber guy. I was more talking about what looks best for us.

I guess since it needs to be said, Kulikov has more skill than Guds, Olsen, and Kampfer. NFS. Lol.

To word it slightly different. (#5 can go without saying, did anyway) Guds and Olsen as a pair looks more important to me than Kuli as a skilled individual. Looking through the bars of a goalie mask, Kampfer has been so damn solid I put him second to Ekblad.

I have often said Kuli is either the best defenseman or the worst depending on the night.

All this was really to point out depth and underrated value, not **** on Kuli or give #'d labels.

 

[MarkGio]

Would the Panthers want a RD like Wideman in return for Guds. The Flames have too many puck movers (Russell, Wideman, Brodie, Hamilton and Giordano) and need more of a stay at home guy. Guds is RD, relatively cheap, and is physical.

Wideman is a big cap hit, but not bad in real dollars. Plus he's still got a year left on his contract. Obviously Wideman is a goal scorer on the back end

 

[ShootIt]

Would the Panthers want a RD like Wideman in return for Guds. The Flames have too many puck movers (Russell, Wideman, Brodie, Hamilton and Giordano) and need more of a stay at home guy. Guds is RD, relatively cheap, and is physical.

Wideman is a big cap hit, but not bad in real dollars. Plus he's still got a year left on his contract. Obviously Wideman is a goal scorer on the back end

God no.

Widemans' first stint here was terrible.

 

[EnforceTheLaus]

We still hold weekly therapy sessions to cope with Wideman's artistic interpretation of defense when he was here.

 

[GrumpyKelly]

Would the Panthers want a RD like Wideman in return for Guds.

 

[RainingRats]

As most know, I'm not a Guds fan although he has played very solid this year. It's been said and I agree that if he was redrafted he would be nowhere near #3 overall. I think he would have a tough time being drafted in the 1st round. He still sticks up for his teammates and is less likely to drop the mitts than he used to, but he is still a hitting machine, shot blocker, and has done a good job at making decisions on the pinch this year. Defensively he still leaves something to be desired as a skilled player can make him look foolish at times.

Kuli is another guy who is saving his career by realizing that he is much better at defense than offense. Although skilled with the puck, he is a slow skater and has trouble hitting the net. The dumb passes and turnovers happen on rare occasions and he does a very good job at defending. That was the reason the guy was chosen to play for the Russian National Team this year for the first time, not his offense. I don't see Tallon offering him a contract when he is a UFA after next season.

I have seen Racine and Acolatse play together a couple of times in the last 10 games. Believe me when I tell you they are for real. They would be an excellent #2 pairing in the NHL. If they never get a chance to play together in the NHL, then Racine is going to make a fine shut down defensive partner for some NHL team at some point in the next couple of years.

Kulikov is a second pairing d-man. He can play on the first pair with anyone. The only reason he doesn't sign him is because Kulikov wants too much money so he trades him. There is no way Tallon doesn't try to sign Kulikov. Kulikov is still better than Guds. Kulikov is one of three core guys on our D and the second most valuable.

 

[Android 16]

Saw enough of Dennis Wideman to last a few lifetimes. No thanks.

 

[I am not exposed]

As most know, I'm not a Guds fan although he has played very solid this year. It's been said and I agree that if he was redrafted he would be nowhere near #3 overall. I think he would have a tough time being drafted in the 1st round. He still sticks up for his teammates and is less likely to drop the mitts than he used to, but he is still a hitting machine, shot blocker, and has done a good job at making decisions on the pinch this year. Defensively he still leaves something to be desired as a skilled player can make him look foolish at times.

Kuli is another guy who is saving his career by realizing that he is much better at defense than offense. Although skilled with the puck, he is a slow skater and has trouble hitting the net. The dumb passes and turnovers happen on rare occasions and he does a very good job at defending. That was the reason the guy was chosen to play for the Russian National Team this year for the first time, not his offense. I don't see Tallon offering him a contract when he is a UFA after next season.

I have seen Racine and Acolatse play together a couple of times in the last 10 games. Believe me when I tell you they are for real. They would be an excellent #2 pairing in the NHL. If they never get a chance to play together in the NHL, then Racine is going to make a fine shut down defensive partner for some NHL team at some point in the next couple of years.

Man, you don't get rid of two players like Gudbranson and Kulikov who are finally becoming the players we hoped they would become, for two guys who have 1 NHL game experience, where one of them at best is a bottom pairing defenseman. And the other will probably be a AHL regular. That is just insane asset management.

 

[GrumpyKelly]

Man, you don't get rid of two players like Gudbranson and Kulikov who are finally becoming the players we hoped they would become, for two guys who have 1 NHL game experience, where one of them at best is a bottom pairing defenseman. And the other will probably be a AHL regular. That is just insane asset management.

Bahaha I didn't even see that before.

Racine and Acolatse as #2 pairing? What the hell is going on Brokin?

 

[ShootIt]

Man, you don't get rid of two players like Gudbranson and Kulikov who are finally becoming the players we hoped they would become, for two guys who have 1 NHL game experience, where one of them at best is a bottom pairing defenseman. And the other will probably be a AHL regular. That is just insane asset management.

Yea, that came out from left field.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Would the Panthers want a RD like Wideman in return for Guds. The Flames have too many puck movers (Russell, Wideman, Brodie, Hamilton and Giordano) and need more of a stay at home guy. Guds is RD, relatively cheap, and is physical.

Wideman is a big cap hit, but not bad in real dollars. Plus he's still got a year left on his contract. Obviously Wideman is a goal scorer on the back end

You must really think we hate Gudbranson...

 

[MarkGio]

You must really think we hate Gudbranson...

Based on this thread, it seems like you guys think he's not even a top 4. The guy has 10 points in almost 300 games. I don't think he's a special player at all, just a cheap RFA guy who can block shots and hit. We have a guy like that in Engelland, except Engelland isn't a strong skater.

 

[SoupyFIN]

Based on this thread, it seems like you guys think he's not even a top 4. The guy has 10 points in almost 300 games. I don't think he's a special player at all, just a cheap RFA guy who can block shots and hit. We have a guy like that in Engelland, except Engelland isn't a strong skater.

The thread dates back to the start of 2013-14. I'm sure you're able to find a similar thread from your own board, where opinions on a player change over time.

To put it politely, we aren't taking your garbage for our young defensive d-man, who's finally starting to show why he was a highly touted prospect. This isn't NHL 16, we might as well start talking Bennett for Bolland if that's the case.

 

[GrumpyKelly]

To put it politely, we aren't taking your garbage for our young defensive d-man

Yeah seriously, I remember the rumors during draft time how GM Trevling was trying to shop Wideman but there were no takers do to his salary. And he just came off a career year.

Now we should trade a 23 year old #3D who looks like a stud in his own end for him?

 

[IM Clutcm]

To shift the discussion, what's his next contact going to look like? I'm thinking $3.5-4M per, maybe six years.

 

[EnforceTheLaus]

To shift the discussion, what's his next contact going to look like? I'm thinking $3.5-4M per, maybe six years.

I'd be fine with a Harmonic type deal. 7-8 yrs at 3.5-4. Don't want to give him too much with Ekblad coming up.

 

[CanadianPantherFan]

I wasn't calling Kuli a bottom three caliber guy. I was more talking about what looks best for us.

I guess since it needs to be said, Kulikov has more skill than Guds, Olsen, and Kampfer. NFS. Lol.

To word it slightly different. (#5 can go without saying, did anyway) Guds and Olsen as a pair looks more important to me than Kuli as a skilled individual. Looking through the bars of a goalie mask, Kampfer has been so damn solid I put him second to Ekblad.

I have often said Kuli is either the best defenseman or the worst depending on the night.

All this was really to point out depth and underrated value, not **** on Kuli or give #'d labels.

I don't always believe it's a language miscommunication with you ....

Kuli is either the best or worst ?? He's the most consistent. Are you talking his 2nd and 3rd years in the league because you can't be talking the last two-three years

 

[CHGoalie27]

I don't always believe it's a language miscommunication with you ....

Kuli is either the best or worst ?? He's the most consistent. Are you talking his 2nd and 3rd years in the league because you can't be talking the last two-three years

I just don't think Cowboys fans are capable of more than tying their own shoes!! Seriously though, you do miss context in some of my posts, regardless of who is at fault for that. Ill always be fine with taking blame. I often get trailed off in trying to find words for non black/white content.

I don't know if anyone on this team is actually consistent. Best&worst, he still usually seems to be the reason we win or the reason we lose. Yes, the last year and a half its better than worse.

 

[CHGoalie27]

I'm thinkin the issue with Kuli might be a fitting complemrntary guy. Guds looks great with Olsen compared to Kuli and not because Olsen is better.

 

[IM Clutcm]

I'm thinkin the issue with Kuli might be a fitting complemrntary guy. Guds looks great with Olsen compared to Kuli and not because Olsen is better.

I want to see Kulikov with Ekblad. Hasn't been done yet (to my knowledge) and I'd like to see if that's the top pairing of the future.

 

[CHGoalie27]

I want to see Kulikov with Ekblad. Hasn't been done yet (to my knowledge) and I'd like to see if that's the top pairing of the future.

I can't recall them being a pair either, it doesn't sound like it shouldn't be...

 

[Brokin]

Bahaha I didn't even see that before.

Racine and Acolatse as #2 pairing? What the hell is going on Brokin?

I know a good pairing when I see one, and these guys have it. I was down on the fact that Racine hasn't progressed offensively since being here, but man this guy is a pure shutdown defenseman. How can you have one point this year so far and be a +6 on a lousy offensive team? And he has been a consistent plus player with little or no offense on some pretty crappy teams most of his career. He is a young Mike Weaver that would do very well on the PK and 2nd pairing with a top notch offensive defenseman that likes to join the rush.

Acolatse has had serious injury problems prior to the Cats but has always been a point producer with a heavy slapshot and ability to join the rush. He had a broken jaw a few years ago and missed many games and a broken leg last year. Hasn't really had the chance to fulfill his potential.

It would be my guess if Campbell looks elsewhere next year and Mitchell retires that based on Matheson being a high draft choice that he's gonna get the nod to play here next year if they don't sign a vet. That's just the reality of pro sports, but that still doesn't deter me from thinking Racine and Acolatse would be a special combo in the NHL.

 

[I am not exposed]

I know a good pairing when I see one, and these guys have it. I was down on the fact that Racine hasn't progressed offensively since being here, but man this guy is a pure shutdown defenseman. How can you have one point this year so far and be a +6 on a lousy offensive team? And he has been a consistent plus player with little or no offense on some pretty crappy teams most of his career. He is a young Mike Weaver that would do very well on the PK and 2nd pairing with a top notch offensive defenseman that likes to join the rush.

Acolatse has had serious injury problems prior to the Cats but has always been a point producer with a heavy slapshot and ability to join the rush. He had a broken jaw a few years ago and missed many games and a broken leg last year. Hasn't really had the chance to fulfill his potential.

It would be my guess if Campbell looks elsewhere next year and Mitchell retires that based on Matheson being a high draft choice that he's gonna get the nod to play here next year if they don't sign a vet. That's just the reality of pro sports, but that still doesn't deter me from thinking Racine and Acolatse would be a special combo in the NHL.

So you compare Racine to Weaver who was a bottom pairing defenseman, but you want him to replace Gudbranson?!?!

I actually like Racine, but he looks like a 3rd pairing defenseman at best. Someone who would replace Petrovic, not Gudbranson.

 

[Brokin]

So you compare Racine to Weaver who was a bottom pairing defenseman, but you want him to replace Gudbranson?!?!

I actually like Racine, but he looks like a 3rd pairing defenseman at best. Someone who would replace Petrovic, not Gudbranson.

Actually Mike Weaver was a top pairing defenseman with Jason Garrison for the Cats when they won the conference title in 2012. Certainly towards the end of his career he was a bottom pairing guy. Still with the Cats he averaged over 20 minutes per game for 4 years while he transcended the various pairings because he was also a PK specialist. Weaver seldom scored anything more than single digits per season and was a strong plus player the majority of his career. He was valued as a defensive specialist and never stuck with one team very long but still had a long and successful NHL career.

If the Cats don't see the value of Racine hopefully some NHL team will make a viable offer for him that will bring us some offensive help.

 

[RogerRoger]

Weaver and Garrison were the second best defensive duo (defensively) in the league the year before Garrison become Garribomb.

I wouldn't risk it on unproven player though. If the injury bugs hit, we'll have a idea what he's like at the NHL level.