i wonder if as a kid tanner was picked on by hockey players ....
- Tumbleweed

People who get picked on become Cops. I'm just a laid-back hippie who loves hockey.

If anything, Jason Demers is better than I've given him credit for, since I've called him a good second pairing player, when in fact, he'd probably be a decent #2 on a top pairing.

I tell you one thing, there is no chance I'm overrating him - he's really, really good. And if we're going to make weird assumptions based on what we think NHL GMs think, then I think it's safer to go with the NHL's best GM (Chayka) rather than a guy competing hard to be it's worst (Tallon).
- james_tanner1

Demers is pretty (frank)ing underrated.

Demers is pretty (frank)ing underrated.
- Blackstrom2

I think people forget just how good he was for the Sharks.

If anything, Jason Demers is better than I've given him credit for, since I've called him a good second pairing player, when in fact, he'd probably be a decent #2 on a top pairing.

I tell you one thing, there is no chance I'm overrating him - he's really, really good. And if we're going to make weird assumptions based on what we think NHL GMs think, then I think it's safer to go with the NHL's best GM (Chayka) rather than a guy competing hard to be it's worst (Tallon).
- james_tanner1

While I do like what Chayka has been doing.. to call him the NHL's best GM is slightly premature. His teams haven't done anything just yet. Jury is still out, come back in a few years where there is actual data around the team he's building.

If anything, Jason Demers is better than I've given him credit for, since I've called him a good second pairing player, when in fact, he'd probably be a decent #2 on a top pairing.

I tell you one thing, there is no chance I'm overrating him - he's really, really good. And if we're going to make weird assumptions based on what we think NHL GMs think, then I think it's safer to go with the NHL's best GM (Chayka) rather than a guy competing hard to be it's worst (Tallon).
- james_tanner1

Yea, you're overrating him. Drastically. Demers is not remotely close to being a top pairing NHL defenseman. This is a repeated occurrence here proven even further by your doubling down on the hyperbole and calling Chayka the NHL's best GM. Demers was a solid pickup for the Yotes, can eat some minutes and play reliable hockey while contributing some points, and is RH to boot I beleive. It was a good trade but you're overselling him as a player and you oversold the trade with hyperbole. This is how you consistently go wrong. You have to dress everything up with glitter to try and make it glow!

While I do like what Chayka has been doing.. to call him the NHL's best GM is slightly premature. His teams haven't done anything just yet. Jury is still out, come back in a few years where there is actual data around the team he's building.
- j.boyd919

Totally fair. However, I don't think anyone expected him to rebuild the Coyotes this quickly, or to make so many good trades. While I 100% agree that we need to see the team perform before we can label him anything other than an intriguing rookie, he's well on his way.

Yea, you're overrating him. Drastically. Demers is not remotely close to being a top pairing NHL defenseman. This is a repeated occurrence here proven even further by your doubling down on the hyperbole and calling Chayka the NHL's best GM. Demers was a solid pickup for the Yotes, can eat some minutes and play reliable hockey while contributing some points, and is RH to boot I beleive. It was a good trade but you're overselling him as a player and you oversold the trade with hyperbole. This is how you consistently go wrong. You have to dress everything up with glitter to try and make it glow!
- MJL

I still think I'm underselling this. This was a home run trade off a pitcher who never should have come out for the next inning.

Yea, you're overrating him. Drastically. Demers is not remotely close to being a top pairing NHL defenseman. This is a repeated occurrence here proven even further by your doubling down on the hyperbole and calling Chayka the NHL's best GM. Demers was a solid pickup for the Yotes, can eat some minutes and play reliable hockey while contributing some points, and is RH to boot I beleive. It was a good trade but you're overselling him as a player and you oversold the trade with hyperbole. This is how you consistently go wrong. You have to dress everything up with glitter to try and make it glow!
- MJL

There are 60 players on top pairs in the NHL, are you saying he's not top 60 among Dmen in the NHL?

That trade is pretty disgusting. I do like those betting odds too lol. If they somehow pull a move with Colorado they have a legit shot in the west. Too bad they didn't land Matthews last year.

There are 60 players on top pairs in the NHL, are you saying he's not top 60 among Dmen in the NHL?
- j.boyd919

I'm saying in my opinion Demers is not a top pairing caliber NHL defenseman.

The team I root for, the Flyers does not have two legitimate top pairing defenseman. Provorov is the only defenseman on their team that could even be considered a top pairing defenseman.

While I do like what Chayka has been doing.. to call him the NHL's best GM is slightly premature. His teams haven't done anything just yet. Jury is still out, come back in a few years where there is actual data around the team he's building.
- j.boyd919

Good point about results. But, he is winning in every deal he's making. I think it can be stated that he's doing a fantastic job. Including his coaching hire...😢

Maybe next Chayka can trade for an arena crew that knows how to build ice within 2 days after a concert

I'm saying in my opinion Demers is not a top pairing caliber NHL defenseman.

The team I root for, the Flyers does not have two legitimate top pairing defenseman. Provorov is the only defenseman on their team that could even be considered a top pairing defenseman.
- MJL

I think Demers could be a very good compliment to a top pairing guy, kind of like Brian Dumoulin is to Letang, or Anton Stralman is to Hedman. I don't think he's a number 1 goto dman, but I think he's solid enough to not drown in a top pairing role if he were to be paired with OEL. I do think he is better suited for the 2nd pairing, but I think he'd be fine as a top pairing guy if his partner is a stud.

I'm saying in my opinion Demers is not a top pairing caliber NHL defenseman.

The team I root for, the Flyers does not have two legitimate top pairing defenseman. Provorov is the only defenseman on their team that could even be considered a top pairing defenseman.
- MJL

It seems to me that you may be mixing up top pairing defenseman with #1 defenseman. Not every team has a legit #1, but there's not much difference between a #4 and #2 d man. Sometimes it's just who they're paired with and the role expected.

I think Demers could be a very good compliment to a top pairing guy, kind of like Brian Dumoulin is to Letang, or Anton Stralman is to Hedman. I don't think he's a number 1 goto dman, but I think he's solid enough to not drown in a top pairing role if he were to be paired with OEL. I do think he is better suited for the 2nd pairing, but I think he'd be fine as a top pairing guy if his partner is a stud.
- j.boyd919

This is a tremendous comparison. Dumo may not be the 2nd best dman on the Pens....I think that it's Schultz... But he's a very good top pairing player. He can play a ton of minutes and anchors, in a good way, the man he's playing with. Personally, I'd take Demers over Dumo any day.

It seems to me that you may be mixing up top pairing defenseman with #1 defenseman. Not every team has a legit #1, but there's not much difference between a #4 and #2 d man. Sometimes it's just who they're paired with and the role expected.
- cranktheradio

You're wrong about that. I'm not mixing anything up. Demers is a 2nd pairing defenseman in my opinion. Many times teams will play a defenseman who is not a legitimate top pairing defenseman with a #1 as a pairing. The Flyers did it for years with Chris Therien with Eric Desjardins. Also with Braydon Coburn playing with Kimmo Timonen. They played Andrew MacDonald with Provorov on the top pairing last season.

Demers seems to be Tanner's new Rundblad. Who gets to be the new Arcobello? Only time will tell. Definitely overvaluing him, it still doesn't change this was a great trade for the Yotes though.

Mcginn can be replaced by a player that makes a third of what he does, and Demers is an upgrade for the Yotes 5-6. He's not a 1-2, and he's not a 3-4 on a playoff team either.

I'm saying in my opinion Demers is not a top pairing caliber NHL defenseman.

The team I root for, the Flyers does not have two legitimate top pairing defenseman. Provorov is the only defenseman on their team that could even be considered a top pairing defenseman.
- MJL

I think you can say Gostobehere is at least a top 60 guy. IF not, he's a crazy good second pairing guy.

I think Demers could be a very good compliment to a top pairing guy, kind of like Brian Dumoulin is to Letang, or Anton Stralman is to Hedman. I don't think he's a number 1 goto dman, but I think he's solid enough to not drown in a top pairing role if he were to be paired with OEL. I do think he is better suited for the 2nd pairing, but I think he'd be fine as a top pairing guy if his partner is a stud.
- j.boyd919

While I'm pretty sure they're going to use Hjallmarsson with OEL, Demers would be the best guy he's ever played with other than Yandle, and if memory serves, they didn't ever pair Yandle and OEL together if they could help it.

Demers seems to be Tanner's new Rundblad. Who gets to be the new Arcobello? Only time will tell. Definitely overvaluing him, it still doesn't change this was a great trade for the Yotes though.

Mcginn can be replaced by a player that makes a third of what he does, and Demers is an upgrade for the Yotes 5-6. He's not a 1-2, and he's not a 3-4 on a playoff team either.
- leafsfann

With Letang injured, he would have been the best defenseman on last year's Cup winning Penguins.

Demers seems to be Tanner's new Rundblad. Who gets to be the new Arcobello? Only time will tell. Definitely overvaluing him, it still doesn't change this was a great trade for the Yotes though.

Mcginn can be replaced by a player that makes a third of what he does, and Demers is an upgrade for the Yotes 5-6. He's not a 1-2, and he's not a 3-4 on a playoff team either.
- leafsfann

Well, this is wrong. lol

If anything, Jason Demers is better than I've given him credit for, since I've called him a good second pairing player, when in fact, he'd probably be a decent #2 on a top pairing.

I tell you one thing, there is no chance I'm overrating him - he's really, really good. And if we're going to make weird assumptions based on what we think NHL GMs think, then I think it's safer to go with the NHL's best GM (Chayka) rather than a guy competing hard to be it's worst (Tallon).
- james_tanner1

You overrate and underrate everything you blog about.

People who get picked on become Cops. I'm just a laid-back hippie who loves hockey.
- james_tanner1

I think you took too much LSD at 1 time in your life. Peace!!!!

I think Demers could be a very good compliment to a top pairing guy, kind of like Brian Dumoulin is to Letang, or Anton Stralman is to Hedman. I don't think he's a number 1 goto dman, but I think he's solid enough to not drown in a top pairing role if he were to be paired with OEL. I do think he is better suited for the 2nd pairing, but I think he'd be fine as a top pairing guy if his partner is a stud.
- j.boyd919

You almost described every top5 D on every team.