Marincin is a low-impact guy who limits shots, possesses the p uck and is perfect for a five six or seven role on a team.

Rielly is needed to be a top pairing defenseman, so he needs to be way better than he was. The difference is you pretty much know what you're getting with Marincin at this point, but Rielly has several levels to go.
- James_Tanner

Marincin is just as good as Jake by the Corsi meter.

Marincin is a low-impact guy who limits shots, possesses the p uck and is perfect for a five six or seven role on a team.

Rielly is needed to be a top pairing defenseman, so he needs to be way better than he was. The difference is you pretty much know what you're getting with Marincin at this point, but Rielly has several levels to go.
- James_Tanner

You're only as good as your defence partner..... In Reilly's case.... Wasn't that Marincin for the second half?

Now don't get me wrong. I like Marincin on a poor mans Gunnarson kinda level. But Reilly despite his advanced stats, has elite level skills and considering the positions he's put in, has done a more than admirable job at it.

This is why I don't hold much faith in the advanced stats advocates. Not enough time actually watching the game.

2nd season in the NHL, 23 years old. I think you are writing off Murphy to a career of mediocrity a bit early. Pronger was pretty awful in his first few seasons, he didnt start to look like a star until his 4th or 5th season. I'm not saying Murphy will be Pronger, but I think a young defenseman needs more than 2 NHL seasons to see what he will ultimately be. Especially when he is surrounded by garbage to mentor him.
- Cephalopods

But but.... Advanced stats

You're only as good as your defence partner..... In Reilly's case.... Wasn't that Marincin for the second half?

Now don't get me wrong. I like Marincin on a poor mans Gunnarson kinda level. But Reilly despite his advanced stats, has elite level skills and considering the positions he's put in, has done a more than admirable job at it.

This is why I don't hold much faith in the advanced stats advocates. Not enough time actually watching the game.
- Seanook

Rielly still has a lot to work on in his own-end imo.

I like how is developing thus far, but a ways to go before he can be a true #1 all around dman.

Hopefully he keeps progressing.

Holy crap, I sincerely hope AZ politicians (representing taxpayers) are not stupid enough to approve this:

http://www.azcentral.com/...trict-new-arena/82952510/

One proposal floated at the Capitol would allow from $350 million to $750 million to be generated for an arena from sales and excise taxes imposed within a new taxing district. The plan, detailed in a 49-page draft bill obtained by The Republic, also could allow public funds to be used to build a hotel or other commercial real estate within the district, according to those who have examined the proposal.

The Coyotes confirmed they would want a hotel in any arena project — it would generate taxes to help pay for the arena — but public funds would not be used to build it.

Rielly still has a lot to work on in his own-end imo.

I like how is developing thus far, but a ways to go before he can be a true #1 all around dman.

Hopefully he keeps progressing.
- Tumbleweed

Agreed. He isn't perfect. Neither is his situation. Sure is a pleasure to watch though. Remember when Larry Murphy couldn't get out of his own end and looked overwhelmed?

I'm sure his advanced stats painted an ugly picture too

And then there is this:

http://www.azcentral.com/...es-icy-response/82991308/

One more point. I think fans of Edmonton and Toronto would argue with your claim about Arizona having the worst blue line in the NHL

2nd season in the NHL, 23 years old. I think you are writing off Murphy to a career of mediocrity a bit early. Pronger was pretty awful in his first few seasons, he didnt start to look like a star until his 4th or 5th season. I'm not saying Murphy will be Pronger, but I think a young defenseman needs more than 2 NHL seasons to see what he will ultimately be. Especially when he is surrounded by garbage to mentor him.
- Cephalopods

I like Murphy, but I don't forsee him becoming a legit top pairing guy on a Cup Contender. I do want to keep him around though, he's good.

One more point. I think fans of Edmonton and Toronto would argue with your claim about Arizona having the worst blue line in the NHL
- Cephalopods

But but.... Martin Marincin

You're only as good as your defence partner..... In Reilly's case.... Wasn't that Marincin for the second half?

Now don't get me wrong. I like Marincin on a poor mans Gunnarson kinda level. But Reilly despite his advanced stats, has elite level skills and considering the positions he's put in, has done a more than admirable job at it.

This is why I don't hold much faith in the advanced stats advocates. Not enough time actually watching the game.
- Seanook

I don't really know what's so advanced about looking at how has the puck the most, who makes other players better, who limits shots and gets a ton of their own.

Rielly is an amazing talent, you seem to agree with me. Where's the argument? All I said is that defensively he has a negative impact on the team and that if you want a 22 minute Dman, that's a problem. I fully believe he'll improve though, as I said.

Rielly still has a lot to work on in his own-end imo.

I like how is developing thus far, but a ways to go before he can be a true #1 all around dman.

Hopefully he keeps progressing.
- Tumbleweed

Exactly. What you're saying can also be proven 100%

One more point. I think fans of Edmonton and Toronto would argue with your claim about Arizona having the worst blue line in the NHL
- Cephalopods

Edmonton has Klefbom, Sekera, Nurse, Davidson. All of whom I'd take over all Coyotes other than OEL.

Toronto has Gardiner and Reilly, but they also have Percy, Harrington, Dermott, Valiev, Corrado and Marincin.

Overall, both teams are miles ahead of Coyotes and also probably Vancouver.

Like, I said, I'd pay more for Fowler. I don't have any interest in those Flyers cast offs and I thought a 3rd for Pysyk might be low relative to his real value, but those kind of low-impact players tend to be extremely undervalued.

If Buffallo wanted more I would be pleasantly surprised and I'd pay it.
- James_Tanner

The thing with Pysyk (aside from his underrated value, right on there) is he's 24 and isn't going to be a RFA until 2017. Sabres aren't exactly strapped for cash, either.

In other words, why move him, much less for a 3rd rounder?

Edmonton has Klefbom, Sekera, Nurse, Davidson. All of whom I'd take over all Coyotes other than OEL.

Toronto has Gardiner and Reilly, but they also have Percy, Harrington, Dermott, Valiev, Corrado and Marincin.

Overall, both teams are miles ahead of Coyotes and also probably Vancouver.
- James_Tanner

BINGO

In fact, when weighing the Canucks defence against the Coyotes defence, I think a solid case can be made that because of OEL alone the Coyotes may be a better overall unit.

The Cancucks have a serious problem here as Ben Hutton will be their best dman going forward. Chris Tanev is a nice piece but has reached his ceiling. He would be an excellent piece on a contender as a very good defensive #4.

Edler is an absolute mess. I disliked him in his best years and have hated him in his worst. And you never know what Edler will show up!

Weber, Bartkowski, Biega and Sbisa do not belong in the NHL. Hamhuis is gone and has been terrible his last two seasons.

Tryamkin is interesting. I actually enjoyed watching him play....and the guy is absolutely huge. His teammates seemed to like him. My concern is that a lot of guys come in at the end of season and give us a 'tease' of what they may be like....and then disappear, never to be seen again. The thing with this guy though, is that the Canucks need him.

If I had the choice to deal the entire Canucks D for the entire Arizona D, I would do it for OEL alone. So, doesn't that tell you who has the worse group?

Dollars2Donuts

If I had the choice to deal the entire Canucks D for the entire Arizona D, I would do it for OEL alone. So, doesn't that tell you who has the worse group?

Dollars2Donuts
- Dollars2Donuts

I think there are a few teams that would be willing to do that. OEL is a guy you can build a team, let alone a defense corps around.

Arizona was the 6th worse team in terms of shots allowed per game. Hilariously the worst team was Ottawa and they have the leading Norris candidate on the roster. Guess that trophy really is all about scoring.

I think there are a few teams that would be willing to do that. OEL is a guy you can build a team, let alone a defense corps around.

Arizona was the 6th worse team in terms of shots allowed per game. Hilariously the worst team was Ottawa and they have the leading Norris candidate on the roster. Guess that trophy really is all about scoring.
- Cephalopods

False.

With Erik Karlsson on the ice, Ottawa was among the best teams in the league in shot and scoring chance differential.

All that stat tells you is that the rest of the Ottawa defense had a historically bad year.

With regards to trading defenses you just supported my theory. Arizona does not have the worst D in the league if other teams would trade them d for d.

James, you probably mentioned it in an earlier blog but what is exactly wrong with Stone?
He looks useful on a 2nd pp unit and as a 4th Dman to me but I haven't watched the Yotes that often so may have missed something.

The Yotes have the Rangers 1st this year, not Chicago's. And I really think Dahlbeck will be a good bottom pairing D. Keep in mind, this was his first full year on the blue line. D-men need time to mature into NHLers. Murphy too is very young, but made great improvements this past year.

The Yotes have the Rangers 1st this year, not Chicago's. And I really think Dahlbeck will be a good bottom pairing D. Keep in mind, this was his first full year on the blue line. D-men need time to mature into NHLers. Murphy too is very young, but made great improvements this past year.
- Gomey

Yeah that's right they picked 30th with the Hawks pick last year.

The Yotes have the Rangers 1st this year, not Chicago's. And I really think Dahlbeck will be a good bottom pairing D. Keep in mind, this was his first full year on the blue line. D-men need time to mature into NHLers. Murphy too is very young, but made great improvements this past year.
- Gomey

You're right about the pick. But Dahlbeck is possibly the very worst player in the NHL. I would think there is zero percent chance he is back next year. But who knows, we dont' even know who's gonna be in charge. C

James, you probably mentioned it in an earlier blog but what is exactly wrong with Stone?
He looks useful on a 2nd pp unit and as a 4th Dman to me but I haven't watched the Yotes that often so may have missed something.
- DutchSenators

There really isn't anything wrong with him, he's just like what you said, a decent second guy on the second pairing. Certainly he can't be your second best guy if you want to compete for the Playoffs.

BINGO

In fact, when weighing the Canucks defence against the Coyotes defence, I think a solid case can be made that because of OEL alone the Coyotes may be a better overall unit.

The Cancucks have a serious problem here as Ben Hutton will be their best dman going forward. Chris Tanev is a nice piece but has reached his ceiling. He would be an excellent piece on a contender as a very good defensive #4.

Edler is an absolute mess. I disliked him in his best years and have hated him in his worst. And you never know what Edler will show up!

Weber, Bartkowski, Biega and Sbisa do not belong in the NHL. Hamhuis is gone and has been terrible his last two seasons.

Tryamkin is interesting. I actually enjoyed watching him play....and the guy is absolutely huge. His teammates seemed to like him. My concern is that a lot of guys come in at the end of season and give us a 'tease' of what they may be like....and then disappear, never to be seen again. The thing with this guy though, is that the Canucks need him.

If I had the choice to deal the entire Canucks D for the entire Arizona D, I would do it for OEL alone. So, doesn't that tell you who has the worse group?

Dollars2Donuts
- Dollars2Donuts

Fair point about Vancouver. Maybe I should change the title to second worst defense in the NHL/.

Stone has been amazing for the Yotes this season. 4 less 5v5 points then the almighty OEL(BTW he was tied with OEL up until the final 2 games of the season) He is one year older, But lets trade one of the most under appreciated "D" men for the sake of making a trade. Also Cannuaton has been a good "D" man down the stretch.

I think I am misunderstanding, but it looks like you said Vatanen would be the defenseman most likely traded by the Ducks, which I agree with completely. It looks like you then said said he was signed "to a pretty cost-effective value-laden contract at $3.75 for the next four years." Who are you talking about here? Vatanen is a RFA after this season. Seems like you might have been looking at a different players cap line?

I'm really not trying to annoy you this time, but I was just wondering. At first I was hoping that he signed an extension cuz that is a great deal for a player like Vatanen.