Panthers fan coming in peace. There's a couple rumors floating that we're going to be in on Krug. Can anyone give me the lowdown on his game? Our board is split between thinking he's too similar to Yandle as an purely offensive dman... but others have said he has a solid defensive game/ plays physically too unlike Yandle. Thoughts?
Opinions here vary. I will try to be as objective as I can with my own opinion here: he is a sublime passer, especially in the offensive zone and more especially on the power play. His vision is superb. He is fairly agile on his skates, but not very fast. His shot is average at best. He used to have a cannon, but hurt his shoulder a few years ago and his shot as never been the same. It isn't awful, though. He will play physically at times, but there isn't much he can do at his size. He is brave and willing though and does not generally shy away from contact. He will take a hit to make a play. His defense is meh. He isn't terrible defensively and has gotten better over the years, but he is not a blue line stalwart. His positioning and defensive zone sense is adequate enough, but not good, And of course he will get pretty easily overmatched physically playing down low. Not a guy you want out there defending a late lead or when a goalie is pulled, and he won't be a PKer either (he was never used in either role here as far as I can recall). You also don't want him out there defending against another team's top line, or even second line if it is very offensively talented.
That is how I see him- a good player who excels at certain things and is underwhelming at others. He would give your PP an instant boost and help your breakout and transition game as well. Just don't expect him to play great defense or impose his will on anyone. You can expect decent defense from him most of the time, though.
Anyway, I am sure there will be different feelings about him here, but again the bottom line is is that he is a good player. Not worth it to the Bruins to pay him what he is probably going to get, but he might be worth what he gets to another team. Who is to say?