How many players can Torts fit into the doghouse? Duclair, Milano, Bjorkstrand, Harrington, Werenski...
Duclair doesn't deserve to be there. Outside of Bjorkstrand showing sparks, he hasn't done much to deserve to leave the doghouse. I am concerned for Bjorkstrand.
I don't have any issues with his "doghouse." Werenski hasn't looked right at all since Jones came back. Which is weird since he was supposed to be better when he came back, because that was his main partner his whole career to date. He was really good early in the year, and has just existed since. He needs to be better. Harrington is what he is, a 6 guy on the roster. He doesn't usually play well enough to play more, and seldom doesn't play bad enough to leave the lineup either. He's just there. He's an option.
Murray stepping up has been a saving grace for our defense. Hopefully we start talking about it more, but the dude is playing his best hockey to date. The guy who was fine with being a 2nd pairing defenseman is finally blooming into what potential he showed as a 19 year old rookie. He's playing really well. It also allows Werenski time to work through his issues, and if he does we'll have 3 legit top pairing guys, with solid second tier guys in Nuti and Savard.