SprDaVE
Moderator
- Sep 20, 2008
- 52,672
- 34,653
The problem with the bottom pairing is Babcock doesn't trust them defensively. How often does a coach not trust either of his bottom pair Dmen to PK? If slashing penalties continue we are going to burn out Hainsey/Zait by having them on the PK 6+ min. per game. I don't even really care about getting a big improvement over Carrick, just need someone a little more reliable that can PK, those aren't that tough to find.
Our top 4 isn't getting caved in so far this year, the Rielly pairing is dominating possession at this point, and Gardiner will bounce back after a couple tough games.
What will it cost to get one of those guys that you mentioned? And will we be moving out guys (Kappy) that we need to fill holes in our lineup once JVR/Bozak/Leo walk in the summer? Because those guys are definitely walking in the summer if you bring in another Top 4 dman.
Are you prepared to move a top prospect plus a 1st for one of them?
I'll take the marginal upgrade to the bottom pairing personally.
If that defenseman is really good, of course I would. I've advocated to go hard after Tanev and/or Muzzin for a long long time. I'd much rather spend assets to go after someone that can push down Hainsey and Zaitsev's minutes than to push down Carrick and his softer minutes, where he has been excelling anyway. Using Kapanen as our main trade chip to get a top 2/4 defenseman would be fine considering we have a crap ton of winger prospects waiting for their chance. I've been told a gazillion times around here that wingers are so easy to find anyway.
I think you are completely underrating Carrick and Borgman/Rosen in their abilities. The grass isn't greener on the other side here. Whoever you want replacing them probably won't do any better despite what you might think. We've had a revolving door of bottom pairing quality defenders over the years.
What kind of "marginal" upgrade are you thinking about, the kind of players you think could be had for cheaper and would be better than Carrick, Borgman and Rosen? Are we thinking Luke Schenn here?
If you want PK specialist in your defensive pairings, you might as well just recall Marincin and send down Rosen again.