Which three defensemen should we protect?

[Lapa]

Assuming we protect 7F, 3G, 1G

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[Lapa]

In case you were wondering what was going on with the poll and the thread, I had to create this thread three times before I got the poll right.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Suter, Spurgeon and Brodin.

Dumba's 10 extra point's (actually 1 less 5v5 point than Brodin) doesn't move the needle enough for me to get rid of Brodin's D game.

If he can continue to put up 25 points points he's basically Hjalmmarson. You don't give that up with what we've seen so far from Dumba

 

[Hall of Faber]

Suter Spurgeon Olofsson. The rest are too inconsistent for me to get passionate about.

 

[gphr513]

I'm split between Dumba and Brodin. I'd hate to lose Dumba because of his potential on offense, but I think I would protect Brodin. 300+ games of NHL experience at only 23 years old is awesome. At that age you'd think he still has more room to get better.

 

[Bazeek]

I think this year is pretty indicative of what we can expect from Brodin, which as ThatGuy22 pointed out is a Hjalmarsson-esque defenseman. Which is great.

But Dumba's younger, cheaper and has shown enticing year-over-year improvement in his offensive production. His defense is still spotty, but it's improved and it's not worrisome enough that he's in danger of losing top4 minutes. Plus he's a righty, which we have very little of. There are plenty of lefties behind Brodin.

The fact that we're losing either of them to expansion is ridiculous, but between the two Dumba seems to meet more needs than Brodin does.

 

[ThatGuy22]

I think this year is pretty indicative of what we can expect from Brodin, which as ThatGuy22 pointed out is a Hjalmarsson-esque defenseman. Which is great.

But Dumba's younger, cheaper and has shown enticing year-over-year improvement in his offensive production. His defense is still spotty, but it's improved and it's not worrisome enough that he's in danger of losing top4 minutes. Plus he's a righty, which we have very little of. There are plenty of lefties behind Brodin.

The fact that we're losing either of them to expansion is ridiculous, but between the two Dumba seems to meet more needs than Brodin does.

He's only a year younger, and will likely only be Cheaper for a year. Points get you paid in the NHL, especially at D. Doesn't even matter if you are any good at playing D (see Tyson Barrie).

With his previous Bridge deal, Dumba's agents are probably going to be looking for more than Brodin makes now. I'd rather just keep the D that can play D and has been in the top 10 in Scoring Chances against 3 out of the last 4 year.

 

[Bazeek]

He's only a year younger, and will likely only be Cheaper for a year. Points get you paid in the NHL, especially at D. Doesn't even matter if you are any good at playing D (see Tyson Barrie).

With his previous Bridge deal, Dumba's agents are probably going to be looking for more than Brodin makes now. I'd rather just keep the D that can play D and has been in the top 10 in Scoring Chances against 3 out of the last 4 year.

Fair point and there is some danger there. I think we'll have more and better options to free up cap room by next offseason, so the extension doesn't worry me too much. If he wants more than Spurgeon it could be a problem.

 

[Wabit]

Unpopular here on the boards, but my thoughts.

Suter, Brodin, Dumba. Trade Spurgeon (highest cap hit, and best return), leave Scandella as an option for Vegas.

 

[HollaHaula]

Different day, same answer: Suter, Spurgeon, Brodin.

Not sure why people keep thinking they see Karlsson-lite or the next Burns in Dumba. Our defense gets noticeably worse (both visually and statistically) when Brodin is out. Plus, I value a defense-first mindset.

 

[BagHead]

Our best three are Suter, Spurgeon and Brodin, but our most necessary to keep are Suter, Spurgeon and Dumba, unless we find another RHD to play where Dumba is, because we have no replacement for him in the system, so that's how I voted.

 

[nickschultzfan]

Expose Suter. Somehow.

Boom.

 

[nickschultzfan]

Different day, same answer: Suter, Spurgeon, Brodin.

Not sure why people keep thinking they see Karlsson-lite or the next Burns in Dumba. Our defense gets noticeably worse (both visually and statistically) when Brodin is out. Plus, I value a defense-first mindset.

Dumba is nothing like Karlsson or Burns.

He is a bigger, tougher Zidlicky.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

Well Zidlicky didn't play an NHL game until he was 26 - Dumba already has over 200 games played and turns 23 this summer. Zidlicky was a useful player in his career, but that's not a real useful comp.

I believe they should explore trading Spurgeon, Dumba and Brodin to take the pressure off this decision (plus get a pick, prospect and player). The right return allows Olofsson to take middle-pairing minutes, and Reilly, Folin and Prosser to be re-signed for depth. Losing Scandella isn't optimal either but you can't lose Spurgeon, Brodin, Zucker or Dumba for nothing.

Anyhow between his RFA status, his scoring ability, his improvements on defense, his greater ice-time share this season as the staff grew in confidence toward him, and his more physical game, there's no question in my mind Dumba will be protected [mod]

 

[plock]

I know most will disagree but,I would expose or trade Spurgeon.
Why?
Because;

A)Vegas may be reluctant to take Spurgeon due to his size and salary.

B)Salary cap.If Vegas takes Spurgeon it frees up a little over $5 million in cap space.IMO the Wild really need to create more cap space somehow.

C)The value of Dumba and Brodin is more than just their current skill,you need to take into consideration their age,potential and salary hit.

The defense would obviously be worse without Spurgeon and players like Scandella,Dumba,Reilly and Olofsson,awould need to step up.

 

[HollaHaula]

Dumba is nothing like Karlsson or Burns.

He is a bigger, tougher Zidlicky.

That's generous given that Zids was only 1 inch shorter and 7 pounds heavier lol

 

[Bazeek]

I'm open to trading just about anyone under the right circumstances, but losing Spurgeon for nothing in the expansion draft legitimately seems like one of the worst things we could possibly do. Even in a trade the return would have to be more than I can see any team realistically offering for him.

 

[Uberdachen]

Suter, Spurgeon and Brodin. I think management likes the flexibility provided by a defensively responsible third top-pairing D that can play either side. Brodin was all over the place at the end of the season/playoffs, and I don't think it was as motivational punishment.

I don't need to justify the other two guys, right? Without Suter I assume the Xcel Energy Center's lawn would become overgrown and without Spurgeon everyone would get continual mumps from drinking out of a giant communal trough.


I do hope a way is found to keep both Dumba and Brodin. And Scandella, if we're just asking for whatever. But I mean if I'm staying close to within reason, Dumba and Brodin will be getting tear- and product-stained postcards from Vegas.

 

[MN_Gopher]

I'd go

Suter
Brodin
Dumba

Spurgeon is better by far than Dumba and Brodin right now. Spurgy has the most potential to end his career early or miss significant time each year.

Never played a full season, concussion history. A guaranteed healthy Spurgeon id take him for sure. i doubt he ever has a healthy season.

 

[BagHead]

Well Zidlicky didn't play an NHL game until he was 26 - Dumba already has over 200 games played and turns 23 this summer. Zidlicky was a useful player in his career, but that's not a real useful comp.

I believe they should explore trading Spurgeon, Dumba and Brodin to take the pressure off this decision (plus get a pick, prospect and player). The right return allows Olofsson to take middle-pairing minutes, and Reilly, Folin and Prosser to be re-signed for depth. Losing Scandella isn't optimal either but you can't lose Spurgeon, Brodin, Zucker or Dumba for nothing.

Anyhow between his RFA status, his scoring ability, his improvements on defense, his greater ice-time share this season as the staff grew in confidence toward him, and his more physical game, there's no question in my mind Dumba will be protected [mod]

The fact of the matter is that people feel safer with Brodin because he makes less mistakes, and in the NHL scoring is usually the result of mistakes.

The reason I like Dumba is because he's a RHD and because he is good at forcing the opposition into making mistakes with his skills, which I think more than makes up for his own occasional mistakes. I also like his personality, but that has nothing to do with hockey.

 

[Minnesota]

Lapa, I hate this poll.

 

[57special]

Unpopular here on the boards, but my thoughts.

Suter, Brodin, Dumba. Trade Spurgeon (highest cap hit, and best return), leave Scandella as an option for Vegas.

I don't hate this thought, but we'd have to get a VERY good player in exchange for Spurgeon. He exhibits rock starish qualities back there on D, and is hell on opening water bottles.

 

[gphr513]

The fact of the matter is that people feel safer with Brodin because he makes less mistakes, and in the NHL scoring is usually the result of mistakes.

The reason I like Dumba is because he's a RHD and because he is good at forcing the opposition into making mistakes with his skills, which I think more than makes up for his own occasional mistakes. I also like his personality, but that has nothing to do with hockey.

That's what would have me really bumming if we end up losing Dumba. He has such a great personality, in a sport that's sometimes devoid of charisma.

 

[57special]

I'd go

Suter
Brodin
Dumba

Spurgeon is better by far than Dumba and Brodin right now. Spurgy has the most potential to end his career early or miss significant time each year.

Never played a full season, concussion history. A guaranteed healthy Spurgeon id take him for sure. i doubt he ever has a healthy season.

You ever looked at Brodin's games missed?

Folin doesn't have a vote yet...Nick Schultz Fan hasn't cast his vote.

 

[Goose312]

If nothing changes protect the 3 best players in Suter, Spurgeon and Brodin. Olofsson convinced me he's a viable replacement this year though so for the right deal I say move Brodin or Brodin package for a young, draft exempt, top 6 forward then protect Dumba in his spot. Just don't know who they would actually be able to get.