You guys have some high standards for Jerabek. Don't know much about him but sounds like he's basically out 2nd best defenseman already.
That's funny. Not at all the sentiment I got from a thread looking to see who can be put alongside Weber like a square peg in a round hole.
I think that everyone is aware that we don't have an established #2D who deserves to be paid 6M and up to play that role.
I'm under the impression that folks are trying to determine who a skilled veteran like Weber can take under his wing and help play a solid enough game.
Of those, the ones with complementary styles, if playing with Weber, are Jerabek, Morrow, Streit and Davidson.
Streit is too old to play those minutes, so, personally, I write him off as an even strength partner for Weber.
I'm not a fan of Davidson because I didn't see the limited flashes that he allegedly showed while playing in EDM and I saw absolutely nothing worthwhile from him when he played in MTL. Mind you, it's a small sample and my impression could be way off.
I haven't paid ANY attention to Morrow, but from what I've read, he was a promising D who could play in all game situations, but never seems to have translated that to the NHL level. Some say it's because he never got a real chance because of the relative depth at D in BOS and a lack of opportunity that affected his confidence. I don't know, but the fact that Julien -- who coached him, and yes, benched him -- must've been in on the Bergevin call to sign him as an UFA must mean that there is still some hope that the kid can turn things around in the NHL. To what level of hockey, who knows?
Jerabek had an outstanding season in the KHL and isn't wet-behind-the-ears, having played with adults at a level somewhere between the AHL and the NHL, albeit on much larger ice surfaces. He should be more mature than a regular rookie and that will play in his ability to actually adapt to the changes he will face. Will he adapt and perform anywhere close to the level of play that he had in the KHL? Hard to say, but it's possible to find hope in a performance from another such player who played in TOR last season. That' said, it will be hit or miss, but an offensive D playing alongside a stalwart defensive D in Weber will have more opportunity to showcase what he has as offensive skills without exposing the team as much.
No guarantees, no confidence, even, that we are set for the 1st pairing LD position, just an attempt to answer the question of who could play with Weber.
I just don't like the idea of playing Alzner there full time, or Schlemko. IMO Alzner would be a great pairing partner for Petry who could use the security of a veteran defensive D by his side and Schlemko would be a complementary piece alongside Benn. Playing either or both further up in the lineup would be placing them in the wrong seat and the whole D-corps would be out of its element, IMHO.