- Jan 24, 2007
- 7,327
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I think the defense under Shero was poorly constructed. Misfit players and seeming lack of any coherent plan until late in his run as GM. At some point, the light went off, and the team drafted Okhotiyuk, Vukojevic, and Smith. All talented and they offered projectile NHL games. Then they added Bahl. Again, a projectable NHL game. Then Fitz went with a bigger guy in the draft in Mukhamadullin and a bigger guy in a trade in Siegnethaler. He signed Kulikov and Murray and I doubt their stability on the backend was lost on him. The right side is in need of renovation behind Severson and PK, but at least Fitz seems to understand that your defense needs to both move the puck and make it difficult for the opposition in your own end. The left side seems to have depth of prospects in this regard. Hopefully they start to develop the right side also. At least they seem to have moved on from Butcher as a core piece on defense. The team is young and still figuring it out. If the plan and vision are there you expect at some point they will succeed even if it isn't as soon as we want.
I think Shero made some comments re: Bahl after he acquired him indicating he realized the value of size on the backend. Fitz made some comments after taking Mukhamadullin similarly on the need for players with his skills and size to be a cup contender. I don't know if the Blues winning with Parayko dominating was the catalyst but it seemed like league consensus shifted after that cup victory, recognizing the value of size on the backend, it just wasn't so important that you should sacrifice puck skills to get it in your lineup.