Let's talk defense...

[SoFFacet]

I have a question, what is wrong with McCabe? Seems like 2 years ago he was a lock for the top 4, captain material. Now no one talks about him as a future top 4.

McCabe still looks like a future top 4 its just that it will take a while. 2nd round Ds take that long to develop. NCAA is typically a longer incubation path as well.

The only problem is that it might be a bit optimistic to pencil him in as worthy of the 2018 1st pair, and we don't have anyone else in the pipeline that has a better chance to be ready than he.

 

[Man of Principles]

Kind of a future conversation, but how far along would you say Guhle and Borgen are? Couple years away?

Pretty excited for the brands they bring, respectively.

 

[Myllz]

Kind of a future conversation, but how far along would you say Guhle and Borgen are? Couple years away?

Pretty excited for the brands they bring, respectively.

From what, the NHL? 4-5? Neither of them are playing in the NHL in 2 years.

 

[CaseyMitts37]

The 2016 Draft is going to be loaded with defensive talent. Obviously Chychrun is the top prize LHD of the draft, but other left-handed defenseman such as Olli Juolevi, Chad Krys, Sean Day, and Kale Clague are all projected to go in the top half of the 1st round.

Who would you rather have on your blue-line in five years, a 34 year-old Andrej Sekera with a $5.5M cap hit or a 22 year-old Juolevi/Day/Krys or Chychrun if we're lucky

The draft is where we will find our top pairing LHD, unless Murray pulls off a magical trade

 

[EichHart]

The 2016 Draft is going to be loaded with defensive talent. Obviously Chychrun is the top prize LHD of the draft, but other left-handed defenseman such as Olli Juolevi, Chad Krys, Sean Day, and Kale Clague are all projected to go in the top half of the 1st round.

Who would you rather have on your blue-line in five years, a 34 year-old Andrej Sekera with a $5.5M cap hit or a 22 year-old Juolevi/Day/Krys or Chychrun if we're lucky

The draft is where we will find our top pairing LHD, unless Murray pulls off a magical trade

Completely agree. I'll add that most of the top LHD in the draft will only need 1 more year in juniors and then should be able to join the team as a 5-6 the following season.

 

[dkollidas]

Unless it's part of a package for a young, legit top-3 LHD, no way I'd move 2016 1st round pick.

Ottawa and Dallas, seem like the best choices for deals for younger LHD who wouldn't cost that much and could play in top-4 role until McCabe/Guhle/2016 1st develop.

 

[Yatzhee]

McCabe still looks like a future top 4 its just that it will take a while. 2nd round Ds take that long to develop. NCAA is typically a longer incubation path as well.

The only problem is that it might be a bit optimistic to pencil him in as worthy of the 2018 1st pair, and we don't have anyone else in the pipeline that has a better chance to be ready than he.

Where he's drafted has nothing to do with development time.

 

[RocSabres]

Hypothetically if we were to miss the playoffs, which is still a possibility even with all the improvements this team has made, and miraculously win the draft lottery this year. (I say miraculously because if we do miss the playoffs are lottery odds won't be great because I don't see this team being a bottom dweller this year) With the first pick would you take Matthews because he is the best prospect in the draft even though he plays center which is the biggest strength on this team. Or would you take Chychrun because he is an elite defensive prospect that fills our biggest positional need within the organization. Chychrun although not ranked as highly as Matthews is still the definition of an elite prospect that has future #1 d man written all over him.

 

[Husko]

Hypothetically if we were to miss the playoffs, which is still a possibility even with all the improvements this team has made, and miraculously win the draft lottery this year. (I say miraculously because if we do miss the playoffs are lottery odds won't be great because I don't see this team being a bottom dweller this year) With the first pick would you take Matthews because he is the best prospect in the draft even though he plays center which is the biggest strength on this team. Or would you take Chychrun because he is an elite defensive prospect that fills our biggest positional need within the organization. Chychrun although not ranked as highly as Matthews is still the definition of an elite prospect that has future #1 d man written all over him.

I'd trade down to wherever Arizona ended up in exchange for OEL, then draft Chychrun/Best D available

 

[Havok89]

I'd trade down to wherever Arizona ended up in exchange for OEL, then draft Chychrun/Best D available

So Arizona trades OEL to move up a few spots?

 

[SoFFacet]

Where he's drafted has nothing to do with development time.

Correlation/causation.

 

[Beerz]

You take BPA and it's not even a question.

 

[dkollidas]

So Arizona trades OEL to move up a few spots?

And the current consensus #1 overall pick, who is a local kid??? That'd be huge for them, really needing ANYTHING to boost interest and relevance to their club.

If you could get OEL + for it, you do it, 10/10, and Arizona would be dumb not to do so either.

 

[phosphene*]

And the current consensus #1 overall pick, who is a local kid??? That'd be huge for them, really needing ANYTHING to boost interest and relevance to their club.

If you could get OEL + for it, you do it, 10/10, and Arizona would be dumb not to do so either.

Or they can keep their young #1 defenseman and draft long-time Jet/Coyote Keith Tkachuk's son.

 

[Yatzhee]

When the off season started we all were talking about WHO Murray would get for LD, not whether we needed one...and none of us were talking about a 3rd pair guy like Sanguinetti.

Seems like now the definition of "need" is being changed up, but it's unnecessary semantics. If we want as good a dcorps as possible Murray should be signing or trading for a top four guy...like he's already tried to. We don't need one, in the same way we don't need ROR to shelter Eichel or Reinhart.

Not acquiring a top four LD this summer would be a let down AND a problem going forward, that simple.

It's never a "let down". A bit of a disappointment given the effort to acquire one to date.
It's only a problem until it's resolved, and that resolution may come in a variety of ways. It's most certainly not crippling however. (Not that you stated it was, but people are making a mountain out of a mole hill on this).

 

[Der Jaeger]

The 2016 Draft is going to be loaded with defensive talent. Obviously Chychrun is the top prize LHD of the draft, but other left-handed defenseman such as Olli Juolevi, Chad Krys, Sean Day, and Kale Clague are all projected to go in the top half of the 1st round.

Who would you rather have on your blue-line in five years, a 34 year-old Andrej Sekera with a $5.5M cap hit or a 22 year-old Juolevi/Day/Krys or Chychrun if we're lucky

The draft is where we will find our top pairing LHD, unless Murray pulls off a magical trade

Agree. Where Buffalo is likely to draft, most of these defensemen will be available. Like Day's skating and offensive skills. Think he'd be a good add for the organization.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Over the magic number, closed. Conversation can continue in the roster speculation thread/we can get a 2016 draft thread going for the Day/Chychrun/Kris/etc. talk.