If we let Fayne walk at 27, our defense will be so polarized. We'll have half of it old as dirt (Salvador, Volchenkov, Zid) and half of it completely raw and unproven (Larsson, Gelinas, Merrill). I don't imagine much cohesion in that group.

Mark Fayne is a third pair defenseman. There's nothing in his skill-set that should lead anyone to believe he'll be anything more than that. Furthermore, his Corsi numbers were less than inspiring when he played with anyone other than Greene.

I was disappointed about how the stats for this blog were quiete literally flipped upside down to avoid that fact.

It's a little foolish to think that there's anything that Mark Fayne does that augments Andy Greene's game. Andy Greene has been a rock solid NHL defenseman for 3-4 seasons. Long before the likes of Mark Fayne. His numbers shown here were almost identical with Zidlicky and Fayne. Two completely different players. That should speak volumes to the lack of help that Greene requires.

I think these stats speak more to the ineptitude of the defense as a whole. Obviously the kids get a pass on that for now, since they're kids

I just don't see what part of his game is going to develop to the point where it's going to be worth putting him in your top 4. Maybe his physicality??

When you consider the lack of success the team has had for the last two years as well as the number of young blueliners coming through the system, I really think the fact that Mark Fayne spent so much time on the top pair is one of many things the organization must re-evaluate.

Greene, Larsson, Merril, and Gelinas need to compose the top four someone. At this point, I'd likely even let Zidlicky go and give Greene and Gelinas every chance to shoulder the load.

Just gives you more resources to spend on a putrid offense while allowing for an effectively athletic backline. Long time since they've had that.

He's a solid player and should be re-signed to play 3rd pair for about 2 million.

Mark Fayne is a third pair defenseman. There's nothing in his skill-set that should lead anyone to believe he'll be anything more than that. Furthermore, his Corsi numbers were less than inspiring when he played with anyone other than Greene.

I was disappointed about how the stats for this blog were quiete literally flipped upside down to avoid that fact.

It's a little foolish to think that there's anything that Mark Fayne does that augments Andy Greene's game. Andy Greene has been a rock solid NHL defenseman for 3-4 seasons. Long before the likes of Mark Fayne. His numbers shown here were almost identical with Zidlicky and Fayne. Two completely different players. That should speak volumes to the lack of help that Greene requires.

I think these stats speak more to the ineptitude of the defense as a whole. Obviously the kids get a pass on that for now, since they're kids

I just don't see what part of his game is going to develop to the point where it's going to be worth putting him in your top 4. Maybe his physicality??

When you consider the lack of success the team has had for the last two years as well as the number of young blueliners coming through the system, I really think the fact that Mark Fayne spent so much time on the top pair is one of many things the organization must re-evaluate.

Greene, Larsson, Merril, and Gelinas need to compose the top four someone. At this point, I'd likely even let Zidlicky go and give Greene and Gelinas every chance to shoulder the load.

Just gives you more resources to spend on a putrid offense while allowing for an effectively athletic backline. Long time since they've had that.

He's a solid player and should be re-signed to play 3rd pair for about 2 million.
- njdevils350

and? If his numbers are good with Greene, then he plays well with Greene, which means he plays well, and a mobile big dman that plays well that can be had for under 4mil is something reminiscent of BARGAIN. Hooray for run-on sentences! What the previous poster said.. without Fayne what do you have? Greene, Zidlicky, and kidsss. And 1 of 2 over the hill dmen that are liabilities. Fayne is better than the liabilities, plays well with Greene, has been solid in our "top pair", and will allow for a smooth transition until Santini ultimately replaces him. We're fortunate that we don't need to spend big on UFA dmen, just need to focus on forwards and Schneider.

and? If his numbers are good with Greene, then he plays well with Greene, which means he plays well, and a mobile big dman that plays well that can be had for under 4mil is something reminiscent of BARGAIN. Hooray for run-on sentences! What the previous poster said.. without Fayne what do you have? Greene, Zidlicky, and kidsss. And 1 of 2 over the hill dmen that are liabilities. Fayne is better than the liabilities, plays well with Greene, has been solid in our "top pair", and will allow for a smooth transition until Santini ultimately replaces him. We're fortunate that we don't need to spend big on UFA dmen, just need to focus on forwards and Schneider.
- MartysBetter88

That would be all well and good and I would probably agree with you...if he were a mobile defenseman. He's not.

Don't confuse the fact that he can skate better than Volchenkov and Salvador for some misconception that he's a good skater. He can't get the puck through the neutral zone with out making a predictable outlet or chipping it in. He gets beaten laterally in his own zone consistently.

So, he's not mobile.

Brad Lukowich played on the top pair with Brian Rafalski for some time a few years back. They played very well together.

It doesn't make Brad Lukowich a long term fit for the top pair because he just doesn't have the attributes for it. Is it more likely that he helped Rafalski or that Rafalski helped him?

That would be all well and good and I would probably agree with you...if he were a mobile defenseman. He's not.

Don't confuse the fact that he can skate better than Volchenkov and Salvador for some misconception that he's a good skater. He can't get the puck through the neutral zone with out making a predictable outlet or chipping it in. He gets beaten laterally in his own zone consistently.

So, he's not mobile.

Brad Lukowich played on the top pair with Brian Rafalski for some time a few years back. They played very well together.

It doesn't make Brad Lukowich a long term fit for the top pair because he just doesn't have the attributes for it. Is it more likely that he helped Rafalski or that Rafalski helped him?
- njdevils350

those were some dark years man.. Rachunek, Vishnevski, Lukowich, Klee.. that whole crew, then add 1-eyed White to the mix.. some dark dark times.

those were some dark years man.. Rachunek, Vishnevski, Lukowich, Klee.. that whole crew, then add 1-eyed White to the mix.. some dark dark times.
- MartysBetter88

I try to forget it

those were some dark years man.. Rachunek, Vishnevski, Lukowich, Klee.. that whole crew, then add 1-eyed White to the mix.. some dark dark times.
- MartysBetter88

Indeed