Muddying the waters? Joke?
- Cptmjl

Anyone who didn't watch hedman play every game this season would think its a joke because , like michael said, lack of attention/coverage/respect. if you had any idea on how his season went, and how he plays now, you would agree. just because he does not make the cover of nhl.com or get talked about at all does not mean he wasn't the legitamate best 5on5 defenseman in the league. was tavares the best 5on5 forward? O_O . There is a serious debate there.

if you think i am crazy for calling him the best 5v5 defenseman in the league, give me reasons why he isn't ..and give me more reasons why someone else would be. you can't.

Anyone who didn't watch hedman play every game this season would think its a joke because , like michael said, lack of attention/coverage/respect. if you had any idea on how his season went, and how he plays now, you would agree. just because he does not make the cover of nhl.com or get talked about at all does not mean he wasn't the legitamate best 5on5 defenseman in the league. was tavares the best 5on5 forward? O_O . There is a serious debate there.

if you think i am crazy for calling him the best 5v5 defenseman in the league, give me reasons why he isn't ..and give me more reasons why someone else would be. you can't.
- RileyB77

The argument might come down to the comparative value of a #1 center vs a #1 defenseman, and personally I'd come down on the side of the center as being a more rare breed in the league. Both are critical for success, and while JT has been in the conversation as a top center league-wide for a while now, Hedman has been making his case more recently (and admittedly in a location that gets a little less notice).

I think both teams should be happy with the players they have, I know I'm jealous of both.

Anyone who didn't watch hedman play every game this season would think its a joke because , like michael said, lack of attention/coverage/respect. if you had any idea on how his season went, and how he plays now, you would agree. just because he does not make the cover of nhl.com or get talked about at all does not mean he wasn't the legitamate best 5on5 defenseman in the league. was tavares the best 5on5 forward? O_O . There is a serious debate there.

if you think i am crazy for calling him the best 5v5 defenseman in the league, give me reasons why he isn't ..and give me more reasons why someone else would be. you can't.
- RileyB77

I never said anything negative about Hedman? Have no idea what you're being defensive about? Also, I have watched him quite a bit believe it or not and I have nothing bad to say. As far as Tavares being the best 5on5 forward and being a debate on who was better in the draft I'll say who are you comparing him too? Duchene? Are you saying in hind sight you'd take Duchene over Tavares?

The argument might come down to the comparative value of a #1 center vs a #1 defenseman, and personally I'd come down on the side of the center as being a more rare breed in the league. Both are critical for success, and while JT has been in the conversation as a top center league-wide for a while now, Hedman has been making his case more recently (and admittedly in a location that gets a little less notice).

I think both teams should be happy with the players they have, I know I'm jealous of both.
- nfph

Tavares is in the conversation of being best in THE LEAGUE. If he didn't get injured he very well could have won the scoring title the way he was playing and was number 2 for stretches at times. Is Hedman in these same conversations in reference to defensemen? There are probably ten defensemen in the league maybe more myself and just about anyone else would take over Hedman and that's not a knock on him he's a good D man it's just a fact. Listen, I'm not knocking Hedman i think he's a good defenseman and quite frankly I think this is a stupid conversation because like you said both teams are happy but as of now Tavares is an ELITE player and anyone who doesn't think so is out of their minds. This isn't even a homer comment I'd say that if he was a Ranger for facks sake

Great young defender ,now if TB can find another one they will be in buisness

Tavares is in the conversation of being best in THE LEAGUE. If he didn't get injured he very well could have won the scoring title the way he was playing and was number 2 for stretches at times. Is Hedman in these same conversations in reference to defensemen? There are probably ten defensemen in the league maybe more myself and just about anyone else would take over Hedman and that's not a knock on him he's a good D man it's just a fact. Listen, I'm not knocking Hedman i think he's a good defenseman and quite frankly I think this is a stupid conversation because like you said both teams are happy but as of now Tavares is an ELITE player and anyone who doesn't think so is out of their minds. This isn't even a homer comment I'd say that if he was a Ranger for facks sake
- Cptmjl

That's actually what I meant to imply with jt.

As for Hedman, I think this year he can make a case. The Conversation is a bit subjective, and geographically biased, of course.

jt is elite and has been for a while, Hedman is making inroads to that currently. And defensemen do generally take longer to blossom.

So, everyone wins IMO.

No he's not lol I love Hedman, but the water isn't even muddied between him and Tavares.
- isles10289

As of right now he isnt....but think about it, is JT more valueble that a top 3 D in the NHL? Maybe, maybe not but there is a conversation to be had.
And for the record, Hedman is not a top 3 D, but he may very well be in the next couple years.

Don't get so butthurt, I like JT too, don't take it personally.

With all this talk about Kesler, Bourque, etc. and trading for a top four defensemen who does everyone think are non tradable on the Lightning right now? This is excluding all prospects in the AHL or lower not named Drouin or Vasilevskiy who to me can be trade bait and UFAs. I know a lot of people feel Kucherov is a great trade asset and I agree but that kid can be special.

OFF LIMITS:
Stamkos
Palat
Johnson
Filppula
Kucherov - this kid is a 35 goal scorer waiting to happen
Drouin
Hedman
Sustr
Carle - his contract and while not great did eat lots of minutes
Gudas
Bishop
Vasilevskiy

GOOD TRADE ASSETS FOR THE RIGHT PRICE
Thompson
Killorn - iffy on him be off limits, does a lot of things right.
Brown
Panik
Connolly
Barberio
Brewer - final year of his deal, is older but played well last year
Gudlevskis

HERE YOU CAN HAVE
Malone
Purcell
Crombeen
Aulie
Ohlund - someone wants him right...
Lindback

As of right now he isnt....but think about it, is JT more valueble that a top 3 D in the NHL? Maybe, maybe not but there is a conversation to be had.
And for the record, Hedman is not a top 3 D, but he may very well be in the next couple years.

Don't get so butthurt, I like JT too, don't take it personally.
- Jeropotato

When and if he is a top 3 D in the league we could have this conversation. Kind of pointless till then IMO. In other words the waters aren't too muddy. Not even discolored yet. That was my point. It's not even being defensive it's just not even close.

Eklund is saying Marleau and the Bolts are a possibility. How in the world would the Bolts be able to take on his salary 6.667M with all our youth still to sign as well as trying to obtain a top 4 defensemen. Eklund always makes me laugh...

When and if he is a top 3 D in the league we could have this conversation. Kind of pointless till then IMO. In other words the waters aren't too muddy. Not even discolored yet. That was my point. It's not even being defensive it's just not even close.
- Cptmjl

Fair point....I guess that's what I meant. Right now, JT is the clear cut more valuable player...probably always will be but Hedman still has the potential to make it interesting.

Islander fans this is in reply to all of your posts. I was offended because you saying Hedman is muddying the waters in terms of who was best in that draft was a joke . That's rude , and not true at all. A joke ? Come on .. Hedman has had a great season and will only get better . He's 23.. And he finished amungst tops in the league despite missing almost 10 games ( I think. Maybe over 10) . JT is one of my favorite players . Hedman is muddying the waters for sure , he is fantastic

I don't want it to be a competition but Hedman is on his way to elite and it started this year . He slowly improved since age 18 and now he's on the verge , the only thing holding me back fom saying he is elite is he hasn't shown consistent years like this one yet

Anyone who didn't watch hedman play every game this season would think its a joke because , like michael said, lack of attention/coverage/respect. if you had any idea on how his season went, and how he plays now, you would agree. just because he does not make the cover of nhl.com or get talked about at all does not mean he wasn't the legitamate best 5on5 defenseman in the league. was tavares the best 5on5 forward? O_O . There is a serious debate there.

if you think i am crazy for calling him the best 5v5 defenseman in the league, give me reasons why he isn't ..and give me more reasons why someone else would be. you can't.
- RileyB77

I believe Duncan Keith is a better defenseman than Hedman, he put up 61 points, was a +22, played around the same competition, averaged more minutes, took less penalties, corsi was higher... granted he plays on a stronger team.. but I fully believe Duncan Keith contributes to making them that stronger team. I believe the same can probably go for Pietrangelo, Chara, and a few others as well. Now I'm not trying to knock on Hedman, but just wanted to give my reason why someone else could be, just because you said I can't; I did.

Anyways, back to Hedman, I think this was by far his best year since being drafted. A few years ago, a lot of my friends down here in Tampa were so agitated and pissed about Hedman, damning the drafting of him and what not... "no. 2 pick and he's awful!!" I kept telling them "Listen, you have to give young defensemen time to develop. This kid's got potential. There is a good chance he will be one of the best D-men in the league one day." I fully believe we are beginning to see that in Hedman now, last year was a HUGE jump from the year before. And I still would like to see him play the body a little more, I think in the next few years he will be top 5 D in the league. Right now, I'd say maybe he cracks top 10, if not definitely top 15.

It has been really fun to watch him evolve has a player since being drafted.

Eklund is saying Marleau and the Bolts are a possibility. How in the world would the Bolts be able to take on his salary 6.667M with all our youth still to sign as well as trying to obtain a top 4 defensemen. Eklund always makes me laugh...
- stammerman

Only a 3 year deal. Yzerman likes flexibility so the shorter term actually makes some sense.

Eklund is saying Marleau and the Bolts are a possibility. How in the world would the Bolts be able to take on his salary 6.667M with all our youth still to sign as well as trying to obtain a top 4 defensemen. Eklund always makes me laugh...
- stammerman

I don't see yzerman giving up picks and prospects for a 34 year old guy! Might as well just pay Callahan at least he is 29 and you give up no picks or players for him!

I believe Duncan Keith is a better defenseman than Hedman, he put up 61 points, was a +22, played around the same competition, averaged more minutes, took less penalties, corsi was higher... granted he plays on a stronger team.. but I fully believe Duncan Keith contributes to making them that stronger team. I believe the same can probably go for Pietrangelo, Chara, and a few others as well. Now I'm not trying to knock on Hedman, but just wanted to give my reason why someone else could be, just because you said I can't; I did.

Anyways, back to Hedman, I think this was by far his best year since being drafted. A few years ago, a lot of my friends down here in Tampa were so agitated and pissed about Hedman, damning the drafting of him and what not... "no. 2 pick and he's awful!!" I kept telling them "Listen, you have to give young defensemen time to develop. This kid's got potential. There is a good chance he will be one of the best D-men in the league one day." I fully believe we are beginning to see that in Hedman now, last year was a HUGE jump from the year before. And I still would like to see him play the body a little more, I think in the next few years he will be top 5 D in the league. Right now, I'd say maybe he cracks top 10, if not definitely top 15.

It has been really fun to watch him evolve has a player since being drafted.
- j.boyd919

hedman put up 55 pts in 4 less games. The offense is nearly identical. people say +/- is not really a good stat, but i think its fine..you're either on the ice for a goal or on the ice for goals against and if you're +22 as a defenseman you're doing your job, keeping pucks out of the net.

hedman has the best defenseman 5on5 stats in the league. everything is included in this blog.

about this being his best year so faR? hell yeah, and im so thankful its arrived. Also, about taking the body more, I've yelled at my TV 100 times this year for him to do that. Our defense has an average height of about 7FT and nobody will hit except the guy whose like 5'10 (Gudas)

I don't see yzerman giving up picks and prospects for a 34 year old guy! Might as well just pay Callahan at least he is 29 and you give up no picks or players for him!
- todd1a

Does Yzerman see this team in the building stage or the " go for it "stage ?

hedman put up 55 pts in 4 less games. The offense is nearly identical. people say +/- is not really a good stat, but i think its fine..you're either on the ice for a goal or on the ice for goals against and if you're +22 as a defenseman you're doing your job, keeping pucks out of the net.

hedman has the best defenseman 5on5 stats in the league. everything is included in this blog.

about this being his best year so faR? hell yeah, and im so thankful its arrived. Also, about taking the body more, I've yelled at my TV 100 times this year for him to do that. Our defense has an average height of about 7FT and nobody will hit except the guy whose like 5'10 (Gudas)
- RileyB77

Keith feasted on second assists and power play offense.

And his relative Corsi was 36th in the league. Hedman's was 11th.
http://www.extraskater.co...shboard?pos=D&season=2013

Does Yzerman see this team in the building stage or the " go for it "stage ?
- Jeropotato

Building stage but they expect to be a playoff team next year

Does Yzerman see this team in the building stage or the " go for it "stage ?
- Jeropotato

Yzerman stated to lightning owner Jeff vinik it would take 5 to 7 years until he could make the lightning a cup contender! We are going into year 5 next year! We are a good team but not a cup contender yet.

Yzerman stated to lightning owner Jeff vinik it would take 5 to 7 years until he could make the lightning a cup contender! We are going into year 5 next year! We are a good team but not a cup contender yet.
- todd1a

Then it makes perfect sense to do the opposite...introduce more youth for another year or so and add missing vets in a couple summers. Not like that would be hard to do in Sunny Florida when you have a core group highlighted by Stamkos/Drouin and Hedman, with solid young Goaltending. I know I would play there, especially if I thought I could win.

Hey Michael, do you think we have enough (without destroying the farm) to make play for the first overall? Aaron Ekblad could line up next to Hedman!

Hey Michael, do you think we have enough (without destroying the farm) to make play for the first overall? Aaron Ekblad could line up next to Hedman!
- Artyukhin76

Yeah, I think TB has the assets. I don't see it happening, but it's something that has been discussed among bloggers on Twitter.

Yeah, I think TB has the assets. I don't see it happening, but it's something that has been discussed among bloggers on Twitter.
- Michael_Stuart

Hedman Ekblad
Carle Franson
Brewer Gudas
(Barberio Sustr)

Hedman Ekblad
Carle Franson
Brewer Gudas
(Barberio Sustr)


- Artyukhin76

With Ekblad you guys would finally have a potential future Norris candidate.

XxNYIxX