Depends on how you wanna count them its imo
Reilly/Gardiner/Zaitsev/Dermott, but even with Hainsey (RD) to replace Dermott. Let's really think how bad is it ?
Morgan Rielly 24yrs [6+46]
Jake Gardiner 27yrs [5+47]
Nikita Zaitsev 26yrs [5+8]
Ron Hainsey 37yrs [4+19]
Travis Dermott 21yrs [1+12]
Offensively they're more than fine. 2 50+ pts D's is rare thing to have and while we allways complain about the d-zone that is a thing we cannot dismiss either. The diss of Zaitsev have been brutal to watch. Did he have a good season ? No. Is he a solid TOP4 D in the league. Yes. He will not score a lot and that is just fine with me. I've seen enough this guy to say, that when confidence and health is back to normal he's more than good D to have. Second pairing RD as a free wallet is a nice to thing to have. Hainsey was our rock in the d-zone and PK all season long and like most would agree too much. That doesnt mean he's a bad D. He is a very solid and balancing pair to some offensive d or youngster like Dermott. Dermott will be surefire TOP4 D for us (if not allready. So even without addition I'd say it is pretty fine considering that our depth D is more than stacked. Borgman, Rosen, Holl, Ozhiganov, Carrick & Liljegren is more than enough.
So even without additions (which I would like to see...more on that later)
Is our D worse than other teams top4 ? Let's see (there might be few mistakes and these are my opinions so feel to disagree)
FOWLER/MANSON/LINDHOLM/MONTOUR
Verdict: Anaheim wins quite easily and they have other ones coming aswell.
OEL/CHYCHRUN/GOLIGOKSI/HJALMARSSON
Verdict: I think we win with a good margin. While OEL is elite I'm not 100% sold on Jakob yet and Goligoski is declinin. Hjalma is underrated though.
MCAVOY/CHARA/KRUG/CARLO
Verdict: I'd say Bruins win, but actually to me it's really close. Chara is old af and while Mcavoy is awesome, same cannot be said for Carlo yet. Krug's d-zone coverage is worse than Gardiner. Still B's win by little
RISTOLAINEN/DAHLIN/SCANDELLA/BEALIEU or MCCABE
Verdict: We win even with Dahlin with them. Rasse is a very good d but needs sheltering and other one's dont impress with any way.
GIORDANO/BRODIE/HAMONIC/HAMILTON
Verdict: Do I need to say ? Flames torches us pretty easily and it's not even close.
SLAVIN/PESCE/FAULK/HANIFIN
Verdict: Same goes here. They win even if Hanifin doesn't pan out as good as predicted. If Faulk leaves it becomes more close though.
KEITH/SEABROOK/MURPHY/RUTTA
Verdict: Win to Leafs and while Keith is still awesome that's about it. Seabrook is an anchor other 2 are barely TOP4.
BARRIE/JOHNSON/ZADOROV/GIRARD
Verdict: Close, but I'd say we win still comfortably. Girard can develop to make it close one, but for now Leafs win.
WERENSKI/JONES/MURRAY/SAVARD or NUTIVAARA
Verdict: Easy win to BJ's and the age of these d's keep impressing for years.
KLINGBERG/METHOT/LINDELL/JOHNS
Verdict: EASILY to Leafs. This is so brutal D. They really need help...
DEKEYSER/DALEY/JENSEN/KRONWALL
Verdict: Wow.... This is just horrible... To Leafs 100-0
KLEFBOM/LARSSON/NURSE/RUSSEL or BEAR
Verdict: Maybe better defensively, but not impressed at all. Leafs win. If and When Bear turns the page to become an excellent D then it's close.
EKBLAD/YANDLE/MATHESON/PYSYK
Verdict: It's close but Imma still say Leafs win..... No... Imma say Draw..
DOUGHTY/MUZZIN/MARTINEZ/PHANEUF
Verdict: Simply because of DD I'm gonna say Kings win. Otherwise it's slow AF, but Doughty is just so good.
SUTER/DUMBA/SPURGEON/BRODIN
Verdict: I've allways thought Spur is overrated, but nonetheless they win comfortably.
WEBER/PETRY/METE/ALZNER
Verdict: We win. Mete is an awesome prospect, but still the jury is out there for him and Alz is not a top4. Weber is getting old really fast.
JOSI/ELLIS/EKHOLM/SUBBAN
Verdict: ^ nuff said... it's not even fair considering they have fabbro coming along aswell...
SEVERSON/VATANEN/GREENE/BUTCHER
Verdict: I think it's quite close, but still I'd say we take this simply because Greene is not what he was. Not sold on Butchers consistency neither.
BOYCHUK/LEDDY/PULOCK/PELECH (I know there's no de haan but that's because he's ufa)
Verdict: I know this will cause controversy, but I'm still gonna say we take this. Really close, but still I'd say we.
SHATTENKIRK/SKJEI/STAAL/DEANGELO
Verdict: Though Skjei is one of my fav's in the league and Shatty is good offensively. We win.
KARLSON/CHABOT/CECI/BORO?
Verdict: We.... Even with Karlson... we.... Chabot might be elite, but not sure yet and seems like Ceci can't put it together.
PROVOROV/GHOST/SANHEIM/GUDAS
Verdict: Flyers takes this even with Provo and Ghost alone, but they have future for years.
LETANG/SCHULTZ/DUMOULIN/MÄÄTTÄ
Verdict: Actually its really close, but since Letang seems to decline even this I would put to Leafs.
BURNS/VLASIC/BRAUN/DEMELO
Verdict: Not really deep D but first pairing keeps on givin love to them. Sharks win because of it.
PIETRANGELO/PARAYOKO/BOUWMEESTER/EDMUNDSON
Verdict: Blues takes this easily. Good mix of vet's and young power.
HEDMAN/STRALMAN/SERGACHEV/MCDONAGH
Verdict: Wow.... One of the best D's with NSH. No chance for us.
TANEV/HUTTON/EDLER/STECHER or POULIOT
Verdict: We take this one while I think there's some hope with that d. not a lot though...
SCHMIDT/THEODORE/MILLER/MCNABB
Verdict: It's close but just because they went to SCF I'mma be full of mercy and say they got this (also cuz I really like MIller and Theodore)
CARLSON/NISKANEN/ORLOV/Whoever
Verdict: Yes now you will blast me as an idiot and a homer, but I say we take this. We have deeper D. Carlson is the best one outta them and better than any of ours.
TROUBA/BUFF/MYERS/MORRISEY
Verdict: Wins easily since there's also Kulikov, Enström and others.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So all and all there's 14 better D's out there IMO and 1 draw. Still we have better D-core atm than 15 teams imo. Then we must consider that If and when Dermott grows even better we can definitely considering trading Gardiner to something and use that or Gardiner himself with something liek Brown to get some RD for us and we will become even better.
Who would I target ?
I'd say Trouba is the best one out there, but cuz the price might be wayyyyy to much I'mma say no. Tanev scares me, but with a cheap price yes.
Something like Gardiner + Carrick + Brown ---> SJS and DeMelo, Roy and Martin (Cap Dump) maybe a 2nd to throw in. We would get solid DeMelo and awesome prospect with Roy.
I sincerely think that we don't need 1d to pair with Rielly. We need minor upgrade for sure, but I think our D gets too much criticism as a whole from us. What do you think
Reilly/Gardiner/Zaitsev/Dermott, but even with Hainsey (RD) to replace Dermott. Let's really think how bad is it ?
Morgan Rielly 24yrs [6+46]
Jake Gardiner 27yrs [5+47]
Nikita Zaitsev 26yrs [5+8]
Ron Hainsey 37yrs [4+19]
Travis Dermott 21yrs [1+12]
Offensively they're more than fine. 2 50+ pts D's is rare thing to have and while we allways complain about the d-zone that is a thing we cannot dismiss either. The diss of Zaitsev have been brutal to watch. Did he have a good season ? No. Is he a solid TOP4 D in the league. Yes. He will not score a lot and that is just fine with me. I've seen enough this guy to say, that when confidence and health is back to normal he's more than good D to have. Second pairing RD as a free wallet is a nice to thing to have. Hainsey was our rock in the d-zone and PK all season long and like most would agree too much. That doesnt mean he's a bad D. He is a very solid and balancing pair to some offensive d or youngster like Dermott. Dermott will be surefire TOP4 D for us (if not allready. So even without addition I'd say it is pretty fine considering that our depth D is more than stacked. Borgman, Rosen, Holl, Ozhiganov, Carrick & Liljegren is more than enough.
So even without additions (which I would like to see...more on that later)
Is our D worse than other teams top4 ? Let's see (there might be few mistakes and these are my opinions so feel to disagree)
FOWLER/MANSON/LINDHOLM/MONTOUR
Verdict: Anaheim wins quite easily and they have other ones coming aswell.
OEL/CHYCHRUN/GOLIGOKSI/HJALMARSSON
Verdict: I think we win with a good margin. While OEL is elite I'm not 100% sold on Jakob yet and Goligoski is declinin. Hjalma is underrated though.
MCAVOY/CHARA/KRUG/CARLO
Verdict: I'd say Bruins win, but actually to me it's really close. Chara is old af and while Mcavoy is awesome, same cannot be said for Carlo yet. Krug's d-zone coverage is worse than Gardiner. Still B's win by little
RISTOLAINEN/DAHLIN/SCANDELLA/BEALIEU or MCCABE
Verdict: We win even with Dahlin with them. Rasse is a very good d but needs sheltering and other one's dont impress with any way.
GIORDANO/BRODIE/HAMONIC/HAMILTON
Verdict: Do I need to say ? Flames torches us pretty easily and it's not even close.
SLAVIN/PESCE/FAULK/HANIFIN
Verdict: Same goes here. They win even if Hanifin doesn't pan out as good as predicted. If Faulk leaves it becomes more close though.
KEITH/SEABROOK/MURPHY/RUTTA
Verdict: Win to Leafs and while Keith is still awesome that's about it. Seabrook is an anchor other 2 are barely TOP4.
BARRIE/JOHNSON/ZADOROV/GIRARD
Verdict: Close, but I'd say we win still comfortably. Girard can develop to make it close one, but for now Leafs win.
WERENSKI/JONES/MURRAY/SAVARD or NUTIVAARA
Verdict: Easy win to BJ's and the age of these d's keep impressing for years.
KLINGBERG/METHOT/LINDELL/JOHNS
Verdict: EASILY to Leafs. This is so brutal D. They really need help...
DEKEYSER/DALEY/JENSEN/KRONWALL
Verdict: Wow.... This is just horrible... To Leafs 100-0
KLEFBOM/LARSSON/NURSE/RUSSEL or BEAR
Verdict: Maybe better defensively, but not impressed at all. Leafs win. If and When Bear turns the page to become an excellent D then it's close.
EKBLAD/YANDLE/MATHESON/PYSYK
Verdict: It's close but Imma still say Leafs win..... No... Imma say Draw..
DOUGHTY/MUZZIN/MARTINEZ/PHANEUF
Verdict: Simply because of DD I'm gonna say Kings win. Otherwise it's slow AF, but Doughty is just so good.
SUTER/DUMBA/SPURGEON/BRODIN
Verdict: I've allways thought Spur is overrated, but nonetheless they win comfortably.
WEBER/PETRY/METE/ALZNER
Verdict: We win. Mete is an awesome prospect, but still the jury is out there for him and Alz is not a top4. Weber is getting old really fast.
JOSI/ELLIS/EKHOLM/SUBBAN
Verdict: ^ nuff said... it's not even fair considering they have fabbro coming along aswell...
SEVERSON/VATANEN/GREENE/BUTCHER
Verdict: I think it's quite close, but still I'd say we take this simply because Greene is not what he was. Not sold on Butchers consistency neither.
BOYCHUK/LEDDY/PULOCK/PELECH (I know there's no de haan but that's because he's ufa)
Verdict: I know this will cause controversy, but I'm still gonna say we take this. Really close, but still I'd say we.
SHATTENKIRK/SKJEI/STAAL/DEANGELO
Verdict: Though Skjei is one of my fav's in the league and Shatty is good offensively. We win.
KARLSON/CHABOT/CECI/BORO?
Verdict: We.... Even with Karlson... we.... Chabot might be elite, but not sure yet and seems like Ceci can't put it together.
PROVOROV/GHOST/SANHEIM/GUDAS
Verdict: Flyers takes this even with Provo and Ghost alone, but they have future for years.
LETANG/SCHULTZ/DUMOULIN/MÄÄTTÄ
Verdict: Actually its really close, but since Letang seems to decline even this I would put to Leafs.
BURNS/VLASIC/BRAUN/DEMELO
Verdict: Not really deep D but first pairing keeps on givin love to them. Sharks win because of it.
PIETRANGELO/PARAYOKO/BOUWMEESTER/EDMUNDSON
Verdict: Blues takes this easily. Good mix of vet's and young power.
HEDMAN/STRALMAN/SERGACHEV/MCDONAGH
Verdict: Wow.... One of the best D's with NSH. No chance for us.
TANEV/HUTTON/EDLER/STECHER or POULIOT
Verdict: We take this one while I think there's some hope with that d. not a lot though...
SCHMIDT/THEODORE/MILLER/MCNABB
Verdict: It's close but just because they went to SCF I'mma be full of mercy and say they got this (also cuz I really like MIller and Theodore)
CARLSON/NISKANEN/ORLOV/Whoever
Verdict: Yes now you will blast me as an idiot and a homer, but I say we take this. We have deeper D. Carlson is the best one outta them and better than any of ours.
TROUBA/BUFF/MYERS/MORRISEY
Verdict: Wins easily since there's also Kulikov, Enström and others.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So all and all there's 14 better D's out there IMO and 1 draw. Still we have better D-core atm than 15 teams imo. Then we must consider that If and when Dermott grows even better we can definitely considering trading Gardiner to something and use that or Gardiner himself with something liek Brown to get some RD for us and we will become even better.
Who would I target ?
I'd say Trouba is the best one out there, but cuz the price might be wayyyyy to much I'mma say no. Tanev scares me, but with a cheap price yes.
Something like Gardiner + Carrick + Brown ---> SJS and DeMelo, Roy and Martin (Cap Dump) maybe a 2nd to throw in. We would get solid DeMelo and awesome prospect with Roy.
I sincerely think that we don't need 1d to pair with Rielly. We need minor upgrade for sure, but I think our D gets too much criticism as a whole from us. What do you think