If you consider the context of 2011, that 2011 group was probably better vs the 2019 group. Rundblad was considered a top 5 prospect in all of hockey after his unbelievable season in Sweden. Cowen was a top 10 pick and had an impressive showing on a Calder Cup team. Wiercioch wasn't where Wolanin was but he was a lot younger.
I'm not saying I think those guys are going to bust. I like all of them quite a bit but things change very quick. Our 2011 group was about as good as you can hope for. I feel like a number of these guys will be a big part of the future but I'm not willing to say that our D is gonna be the back bone of this team going forward. The only guys I'm 100% sold on are Chabot and Wolanin.
We still need a ton of quality here at every position. I don't think any group at a position here is contender worthy yet. Need a lottery pick type guy on D, C and a guy who can finish.
With hindsight it’s easy to realize that Rundblad, Cowen and Wier all had deficiencies that were not compatible with the way the new NHL was trending, and that’s even moreso the case now. All relatively slow players both in their feet and in their decision making (Wier was a bit better in the decision making part but is slow and weak for his size).
You already admitted being sold on Wolanin and Chabot which means you think that’s already two potential top-4 dmen. Chabot is already there obviously, and Wolanin is pretty close imo.
When you look at Brannstrom and Jaros you see two completely different players but who will both carve solid roles on this team. Idk why you’re not sold on Brannstrom yet, maybe because you haven’t watched him play much but he can easily end up being a better version of Krug and Jaros has a unique blend of size and speed, and he has a good first pass and decent hands for someone that big. He’s kind of a right handed version of what we wished Cowen would be imo. Anyways only time will tell but I’m not worried about our D there’s a lot of potential there, especially if you’re high on Bernard-Docker as well. It’s the forwards that are more of a question mark mainly at center where you have a few guys with #2 potential (White, Norris, Tierney) but only one with #1 potential who is obviously a question mark as to whether he’ll reach it (Brown).
