I actually didn't. I was thinking of him around the 10-12 range. If I had more time to think and evaluate I may have chosen him.

Also, I know it was sarcasm.
- PhillySportsGuy

Oh. I will reconsider my fatal position.

Who'd they play?
- Giroux_Is_God

Latvia

I think of it from a value standpoint... D are the most expensive commodity in the league, so having cheap kids who can far outplay their salaries is a boon for the entire team. Whereas, genuinely top-flight forwards and goalies are worth every penny... it's kind of a reverse-Homer approach to team-building, lol.
- Tomahawk

Its fine allocating money to defenseman when you're paying a top flight defenseman. The Flyers get into trouble when they pay $4M to a 7th defenseman, $5M to an injured defenseman and a combined $8M to a third pairing.

Latvia
- Streit2ThePoint

Seems like Switzerland has been winning those kinds of games a lot over the last few years

Seems like Switzerland has been winning those kinds of games a lot over the last few years
- PhillySportsGuy

They have decent defense and goaltending, not much fire power though.

They have decent defense and goaltending, not much fire power though.
- Streit2ThePoint

Yea. Most of their games tend to be low scoring. They will knock off one good team this year.

I don't think it's really that suprising that Quick get's the nod. Who is everyone picking to win Gold? I'm going with Canada. Although I hope USA wins it.
- MJL

I like Sweden over Russia for the Gold, with Canada taking the Bronze over the US

When you take everything into consideration; age, salary, level of play I go

1. Petro
2. OEL
3. Weber
4. Suter
5. Keith
6. Jones
7. Doughty
8. Subban
9. Karlsson
10. Hedman
11. Fowler
12. McDonagh

This is off the top of my head so don't kill me if I missed someone. Just trying to spark debate.
- PhillySportsGuy

It's a good list except for Jones. Doubt he would make my list.

Looked like Sweden was going to run away with this thing. Impressed with the Czechs ability to weather the storm and battle back to make it a game.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think Sweden got a little sloppy once they were up 4.

It's a good list except for Jones. Doubt he would make my list.
- MJL

He's already pretty good and has the potential to be the best defenseman in hockey. I feel he has a very high floor, so I don't feel its as risky as it is with other young defenseman.

So can we discuss how terrifying a Parise-Kane-Kessel line would be?

I think Sweden got a little sloppy once they were up 4.
- BiggE

Probably. It had all the makings of a rout though.

So can we discuss how terrifying a Parise-Kane-Kessel line would be?
- JAKEw1234

Don't blink.

I think of it from a value standpoint... D are the most expensive commodity in the league, so having cheap kids who can far outplay their salaries is a boon for the entire team. Whereas, genuinely top-flight forwards and goalies are worth every penny... it's kind of a reverse-Homer approach to team-building, lol.
- Tomahawk

The scenario was what defenseman to build your team around. When we're dealing with such an important position, and how hard it is to get. Cost is irrelevant. I'd gladly pay the price for the right player. And defense is not a position I would skimp on. Holmgren is criticized for how much he's spent on defense, when D is labeled the most expensive commodity in the League. It's all about making the right choice.

He's already pretty good and has the potential to be the best defenseman in hockey. I feel he has a very high floor, so I don't feel its as risky as it is with other young defenseman.
- PhillySportsGuy

He may wind up being better then every player on the list. Or he might not be. I'm going with more established players and hedging my bets.

Re Dmen:
If I'm starting a team from scratch, I'd have to assume its gonna be a few years before they would be any good and also a few years before I'd have to really worry about the cap. So if I could pick any one Dman to start my team with, I'd go with Pietrangelo, heck he's already one of the top 10 in the league and a right handed shot as well.

He may wind up being better then every player on the list. Or he might not be. I'm going with more established players and hedging my bets.
- MJL

I just feel the risk is worth the reward. At worst, he'll be a top 4, two-way defenseman for a long time. At best, he's, arguably, the best defenseman in the league.

I'm DVR'ing the Olympic hockey, so no spoilers, please.

kthxbai
- johndewar

Pretty risky hanging out in a hockey forum

Pretty risky hanging out in a hockey forum
- CaptEO

He likes to live life dangerously.

I just feel the risk is worth the reward. At worst, he'll be a top 4, two-way defenseman for a long time. At best, he's, arguably, the best defenseman in the league.
- PhillySportsGuy

Might be. But in picking a player to build a team around, especially with defense. Can't afford to miss.

Might be. But in picking a player to build a team around, especially with defense. Can't afford to miss.
- MJL

I admit Jones may be a little high, but would you take guys like Hedman, Karlsson, Subban, Fowler, McDonagh and Seabrook over him?

I admit Jones may be a little high, but would you take guys like Hedman, Karlsson, Subban, Fowler, McDonagh and Seabrook over him?
- PhillySportsGuy

I probably would. And I temper that with the thought that although Jones is obviously very talented, there is some unknow there. But like you said, the reward could be worth far more then the risk. And I might be choosing a lesser player in the long run. Although I don't think that everyone of those players is franchise defenseman to build a team around. And Jones might be at some point.

I probably would. And I temper that with the thought that although Jones is obviously very talented, there is some unknow there. But like you said, the reward could be worth far more then the risk. And I might be choosing a lesser player in the long run. Although I don't think that everyone of those players is franchise defenseman to build a team around. And Jones might be at some point.
- MJL

Thats what I'm saying. I feel the risk is worth the reward. This isn't some boom or bust prospect. He will still be a good player even if he never reaches his full potential.

I hate to call a player a slam dunk, future top pairing defenseman, but I would say Jones is as close as any player I've seen at his age.

Thats what I'm saying. I feel the risk is worth the reward. This isn't some boom or bust prospect. He will still be a good player even if he never reaches his full potential.

I hate to call a player a slam dunk, future top pairing defenseman, but I would say Jones is as close as any player I've seen at his age.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't disagree with any of that.

The scenario was what defenseman to build your team around. When we're dealing with such an important position, and how hard it is to get. Cost is irrelevant. I'd gladly pay the price for the right player. And defense is not a position I would skimp on. Holmgren is criticized for how much he's spent on defense, when D is labeled the most expensive commodity in the League. It's all about making the right choice.
- MJL

OEL and Petro together make over $12M against the cap. Pretty much have no choice but to fill the rest of the D with value buys, otherwise you'll have balance issues up front and in net.