Looking at our roster as is, and the progression of Pionk thus far, knowing obviously that it can change...
Feels like some major redundancy here on the right side. Shattenkirk, Pionk, DeAngelo. They're all of a similar mold physically and with regards to being more offensive. I'd argue Pionk could be more of a 2-way guy and Shatty the proven PP specialist. I haven't watched as many games as I usually do and haven't seen much of DeAngelo but from what I've read and seen, he's Pionk with more of a physical edge and higher upside that we know of.
I definitely wanna see all three get more time with the "new" team next year and ideally a new defensive system (though we know that probably isn't happening) but it does seem we have much of the same potentially down the right. Not only with no real #1, but no physical stay at home guy. Not a big deal if we had that on the left, but the left looks even worse unless a rookie comes in blazing hot or we acquire someone somehow. Otherwise we're pairing these three with Skjei, Staal, and Smith. Oy.
edit: I'd look at moving one of Pionk/DeAngelo for good lefty who's already NHL ready but we still have no idea which of the two will be better for us, and we do have like 4 LD prospects to evaluate as is.
Feels like some major redundancy here on the right side. Shattenkirk, Pionk, DeAngelo. They're all of a similar mold physically and with regards to being more offensive. I'd argue Pionk could be more of a 2-way guy and Shatty the proven PP specialist. I haven't watched as many games as I usually do and haven't seen much of DeAngelo but from what I've read and seen, he's Pionk with more of a physical edge and higher upside that we know of.
I definitely wanna see all three get more time with the "new" team next year and ideally a new defensive system (though we know that probably isn't happening) but it does seem we have much of the same potentially down the right. Not only with no real #1, but no physical stay at home guy. Not a big deal if we had that on the left, but the left looks even worse unless a rookie comes in blazing hot or we acquire someone somehow. Otherwise we're pairing these three with Skjei, Staal, and Smith. Oy.
edit: I'd look at moving one of Pionk/DeAngelo for good lefty who's already NHL ready but we still have no idea which of the two will be better for us, and we do have like 4 LD prospects to evaluate as is.
