Do you think Nate Schmidt is a #1 D?

[Kamiccolo]

He's certainly been a big part of their success this year. Sure corsi isn't his best friend, but considering his Qoc and statline, he has been very good. What is the opinion of those who get to watch him more than those of us who have only caught a few Vegas games?

Click to read more...

 

[VoluntaryDom]

id say hes a #2 at this point.

 

[traparatus]

He is a fine defenseman, handles top pair just fine and is an all-around awesome dude. I can't believe we were scratching him for Karl ********* Alzner last year.

 

[LeafChief]

He looks very good. I really like him and Colin Miller in Vegas.

 

[Revelation]

Yep, 3rd biggest gift to Vegas after Florida and Columbus

 

[ViktorBaeArvidsson]

Yeah, probably a Top 10 defender in the NHL too.

 

[Ryan Michaels]

Yeah, probably a Top 10 defender in the NHL too.

Okay the onus is on you to elaborate here.

 

[rent free]

He is a fine defenseman, handles top pair just fine and is an all-around awesome dude. I can't believe we were scratching him for Karl ********* Alzner last year.

well in fairness you ended up winning the series anyways, not that it was in question anyways

 

[Devil Dancer]

He has one of the worst shots in the NHL.

 

[57special]

well, that's weird, because he used to have a VG shot when he was with the Gophers.

And no, he's not close to being a #1.

 

[HanSolo]

By HF's standards. No.
By my own. Closer but not really.
In practice? Yes.

He's a good number 2 but not exactly a true stud #1

It helps that Miller is almost as good.

 

[AlexBrovechkin8]

Sigh. Miss you Schmidtty.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

By HF's standards. No.
By my own. Closer but not really.
In practice? Yes.

He's a good number 2 but not exactly a true stud #1

It helps that Miller is almost as good.

and theodore

 

[Revelation]

well in fairness you ended up winning the series anyways, not that it was in question anyways

Yeah but it was too close and now we have a year of having to listen how the Leafs were basically as good as the caps, with Schmidt maybe it's a 4-0 rout and Leafs don't get the moral victory to trot out all over the boards

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

No

 

[HanSolo]

and theodore

True. Honestly if he can just become a little more solid defensively I'd say Theodore is better than them two. He's improved by leaps and bounds in the last month or two but that's an improvement from some really poor defending.

Edit: but Theodore on the puck is probably one of the best players on the team. His ability to carry the puck and distribute it in all three zones is only matched by Marchessault.

 

[Brock Radunske]

Yeah but it was too close and now we have a year of having to listen how the Leafs were basically as good as the caps, with Schmidt maybe it's a 4-0 rout and Leafs don't get the moral victory to trot out all over the boards

The Caps are still the Caps and the playoffs are still the playoffs so I doubt the bolded would be the case.

 

[LegendaryNumber5]

Stupid GMGM had to get that last FU in.

Plot twist, he pulls off wizardry and ends up trading for Forsberg.

 

[haveandare]

I honestly have no idea what to think of anyone playing a big role for Vegas. I keep waiting for them to fall off but it doesn't happen.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

*Nelson laugh*

Seriously though, Schmidt impressed me more than any Caps defenseman had in years in the last playoff series...I'm ecstatic he's no longer part of that organization. I'm skimpy with handing out #1 D ratings, but I wouldn't find fault with him as a damn solid #2 at this point in time.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I miss Schmidt, but no.

 

[trick9]

Is this real?

Solid player, but hell no.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I think Theodore has been their best defenseman so far into the season, I said he should've made it after Vegas finalized their roster.

 

[12ozPapa]

Solid d man. Just not sure he can take over shifts/change games like most number ones seem to be able to do - at least in the games I’ve seen him in (4-5 games this season)

 

[Filthy Dangles]

closer than Reilly ever will be