Just as advertised. I have the feeling that with you guys, it is the first time he is able to play in a system and with teammates that suit him and the fans' expectations correspond to what he can bring to the team. He is overpaid, no doubt, but great to hear that you are happy with him. Would love to see him and your team in the POs
Player Discussion Erik Gudbranson
- Thread starter MMC
- Start date
Paul4587
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2006
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If (and it is an if) he keeps up his current play I wouldn’t even say he’s that overpaid. Currently he’s playing like a legit number 4 and $4M is about in line with what you would expect a 2nd pairing defensive D would get.
As a number 4, IMO he needs to be more productive offensively nowadays, If he scored around 20-25 points than yes
91Fedorov
John (Gibson) 3:16
- Dec 30, 2013
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I really like him on our team. One of our problems defensively is that we have too much finesse and not enough grit. That's what makes Manson one of our more important defenders. Lindholm and Fowler have more skill with the puck, but our top 4 is too soft without Manson. In that light, I see Gubranson as a Manson lite for us. He adds a needed physical element but he also seems aware of his limitations so he often passes the puck off to Fowler which makes the pairing work well, I think at least. Because we have LTIR cap room, his contract doesn't bother me at all. I'm comfortable with him as our #4 D man.
- Jul 25, 2012
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Hes like a perfect 5(but can play in top 4)… ideally wed grab someone like Vatanen/risto
and run with
Lindholm Manson- Shutdown pair
Fowler Vatanen/risto- Offensive pair
Larsson/MDZ Gudbranson- 2nd shutdown pair
Spread dzone starts/pk/hard mins with 1/3 pairing... and let fowler and the RHD take full advantage of offensive starts. Granted I doubt we make that kind of move this year.
and run with
Lindholm Manson- Shutdown pair
Fowler Vatanen/risto- Offensive pair
Larsson/MDZ Gudbranson- 2nd shutdown pair
Spread dzone starts/pk/hard mins with 1/3 pairing... and let fowler and the RHD take full advantage of offensive starts. Granted I doubt we make that kind of move this year.
I've loved Gudby so far. He's really an upgraded Stoner/Bieksa which would have been amazing for this team like 4 years ago
DavidBL
Registered User
I'm not really a fan of pairing Fowler with another offensive guy. Not a fan of the balance and has not really worked in the past.
- Jul 25, 2012
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The problem before was coaches tried to put them in situations that didn't benefit them.... if you do it now Eakins would use the mostly in Ozone/neutral starts/Powerplay time.... where they can use their skating to avoid getting trapped in the zone.
91Fedorov
John (Gibson) 3:16
- Dec 30, 2013
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I have to agree that I don't really prefer Fowler with another offensive guy either. I like the idea of a stay at home, defense first, type with him to free him up to take more offensive chances. As a theoretical conversation, if we still had Vatanen I would rather go with...
Lindholm / Manson - Shutdown pair
Fowler / Gudbranson - Balanced pair
Larsson / Vatanen - Balanced pair
I think pairings that mirrored that balance would be ideal.
Lindholm / Manson - Shutdown pair
Fowler / Gudbranson - Balanced pair
Larsson / Vatanen - Balanced pair
I think pairings that mirrored that balance would be ideal.
Fowler should be paired in a line with getslaf, guhle. The reason for this is because Fowler can take the puck and go down low, this would allow bald to shift to the point and guhle is guhle...he can just play defense and nothing else.
I'd go with Getzlaf, he's more of an alpha.
Paul4587
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2006
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Hockey Duckie
Registered User
So what you're really saying is you're making Fowler to be part of the bottom pair, limiting his minutes and, thereby, reducing the offensive opportunities he may have at ES because he'll only be used on OZ starts with another finesse player next to him? Then take into context that we're on the PK more than we are on the PP, you'll be reducing Fowler's minutes even more.
Gudz is Fowler's bouncer. Gudz is more physical than MDZ. If we're planning on putting Fowler on the ice more, then are we served best by putting a physical defenseman next to him to clear the front of the net. I never thought that Gudz would be a 2nd pairing because of all of the info we got was Gudz was a fringe third pairing D from Pitt. But Gudz looked very good next to Lindholm.
We've seen last year and this year that Fowler isn't a 1D. We've also seen that he doesn't mesh well with Lindholm, who also is developing his offensive game. Fowler's had a merry-go-round of partners as well as swapping from RD to LD. Putting Gudz with Fowler turned out to be roses. Gudz is a veteran defensive-D and knows his role here in Anaheim, which is very simplified because we're asking him to be the best defensive-D who can chip in once in a while. We've finally found a great partner for Fowler that benefits the team as Gudz is a +8.
Remember the time the coaches separated the Lindholm-Manson pairing? Why did they split a great combo?! To be better balanced? Yeah... to accommodate Fowler as a top pairing D-man. It still didn't work. Once old school Murray became head coach, he went with what worked before and swallowed his pride to know that Fowler is a 2nd pairing guy that needs to be sheltered.
I don't trust Eakins. He's working off of the foundation that Murray created last year. Eakins made our PP inept. LoL
Boy, if whatvhe is playing is his version of D and nothing else, Tracey better shine!!
branmuffin17
Registered User
I frankly don't understand the Risto love. Fowler and Risto are putting up nearly identical numbers so far this season (yes, Risto seems to have gotten some religion defensively). Fowler is performing offensively because of the new system and because he's been playing with a partner that he doesn't have to constantly cover for, except for with Guhle. I'm perfectly content with Guds as his partner, and I believe it'll make Fowler's numbers improve. We don't need Ristolainen - we need forward that produce more.
Dirk316
Registered User
He has been exactly a #4 and the stats plus eye test prove it.
In addition he is in his prime one of Murrays best moves unfortunately he was needed 2 years ago as he was available
In addition he is in his prime one of Murrays best moves unfortunately he was needed 2 years ago as he was available
Rumors are Ducks could trade him for prospects or whatever they can get due to his salary? Is this even a possibility?
- Sep 21, 2018
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Day-to-day were initial reports, but word is Guhle has been reassigned to San Diego. If true, Gudbranson might play tonight.
Smirnov2Chistov
EEK!
Why would they? He has been VERY solid for this team. I thought there were rumors of the cap going up a bit too.
I would rate Guds over Manson IMO. Manson has been very inconsistent all season, and it's shocking to me that they won't budge on trading him
Honestly, if Manson can return to form next year (big IF, I know), and Gudbranson can remain as solid as he has been,
Lindholm-Manson
Fowler-Gudbranson
is not a bad Top 4 next year, especially with a full year playing under Eakins at that point.
Never thought Manson would be the wild card in that bunch, though.
Lindholm-Manson
Fowler-Gudbranson
is not a bad Top 4 next year, especially with a full year playing under Eakins at that point.
Never thought Manson would be the wild card in that bunch, though.
I believe Guds would also fill the bill of an exposable D-man when the time comes for ED. That would allow BM to protect 7F 3D.
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