Ian Esplen: Sizing up the Pacific- Defence Sizing up the Pacific- Defence

Are you trolling?

Justin Schultz a bottom pairing defenceman?

Are you trolling?

Justin Schultz a bottom pairing defenceman?
- Kotu

Have you watched him play?

Can he score? Sure.

Is he an adventure? You bet.

Have you watched him play?

Can he score? Sure.

Is he an adventure? You bet.
- IanEsplen

is about 3 years, we'll have one of the top D in the division for sure...Shultz/Klefbom/Nurse/Petry/Smid/Ferrence...who knows, Belov could turn out to be a great dman as well, supposed to be the best dman in the KHL..I mean, he's gotta be somewhat good right?

After Smid and Petry I have to look really hard to find a defencman that isn't a bottom pairing guy on any other team. Schultz can play the PP but that's about it, Ference is a product of the Bruins' system and the rest, well, I won't even go there.

I think it's amusing that Ference is dismissed simply because he came up through another team's system.

I think it's amusing that Ference is dismissed simply because he came up through another team's system.
- Ogilthorpe2

That is unusual?

is about 3 years, we'll have one of the top D in the division for sure...Shultz/Klefbom/Nurse/Petry/Smid/Ferrence...who knows, Belov could turn out to be a great dman as well, supposed to be the best dman in the KHL..I mean, he's gotta be somewhat good right?
- yakattack

No

No
- Boinker

wow, great response to my comment...please, enlighten me as to why you don't think the Oilers will have a one of the better D in the division?..

No
- Boinker

Is there any way we can discuss this?

Are you trolling?

Justin Schultz a bottom pairing defenceman?
- Kotu

Defensemen do actually have to play defense. The games I watched he barely looked interested in playing defense.

He may turn into a good defenseman, but right now he is a PP specialist and 4th forward.

Ference... Top 4 on the Bruins, also bottom pair on any team but the Oilers, including the Bruins.


Paradox

"As much as I don't like Doughty...", "I don't really care for (Quick) too much myself, but..." Why do I get the impression you're not fan of LA???

Good ranking for the most part with one exception. Phoenix - as good as Yandle and OEL are, by far the most important cog in that D is Tippett. Put that guy on any other team and I suspect they'll have an all-star D too. But can't really argue with the rank.

"As much as I don't like Doughty...", "I don't really care for (Quick) too much myself, but..." Why do I get the impression you're not fan of LA???

Good ranking for the most part with one exception. Phoenix - as good as Yandle and OEL are, by far the most important cog in that D is Tippett. Put that guy on any other team and I suspect they'll have an all-star D too. But can't really argue with the rank.
- cryptical77

I am a Willie Mitchell and Anze Kopitar fan... Feel better?

Might be a bit of a homer but if Mitchell does in fact play and play with the same quality, you have to have the Kings ranked #1. Regehr, Mitchell, Greene as the 1-2-3 solid D backbone and then with Doughty, Voynov, "fill in the blank with anyone of 4 other options" you have by far the best in the Pacific, with a strong argument for top in the NHL.

LA #1, Vancouver #2, Phx #3....the rest the same.

I am a Willie Mitchell and Anze Kopitar fan... Feel better?
- IanEsplen

A little.

Your just biased agaonst edmonton. I agree about the other d but j schultz played the hardest minutes on the team and did quite well. His plus minus was bad but that was more of a product of the oil sucking as a team last year.

Will the Canucks lose a game this year?

Your just biased agaonst edmonton. I agree about the other d but j schultz played the hardest minutes on the team and did quite well. His plus minus was bad but that was more of a product of the oil sucking as a team last year.
- BleedOil06

Canucks were pretty high on him when they thought he might sign there.


Of course, he sucks now.

LA #1, Vancouver #2, Phx #3....the rest the same.
- DarthKane

I don't think that San Jose can be put on equal level with Edmonton and Calgary. The Sharks had the 6th best goals against and 6th best PK in the league last year. There is certainly nothing flashy about the group, but they get the job done.

Will the Canucks lose a game this year?
- Canada Cup

at least 3.

Canucks were pretty high on him when they thought he might sign there.


Of course, he sucks now.
- robin_steele264

Most of us were high on his potential.

The Majority of Canucks fans believed he would need a full year or two in the AHL.

is about 3 years, we'll have one of the top D in the division for sure...Shultz/Klefbom/Nurse/Petry/Smid/Ferrence...who knows, Belov could turn out to be a great dman as well, supposed to be the best dman in the KHL..I mean, he's gotta be somewhat good right?
- yakattack

Might have one of the top D groupsin a few years...might...despite what Cloutier says, Klefbom and Schultz arent locks for the Norris this year

Most of us were high on his potential.

The Majority of Canucks fans believed he would need a full year or two in the AHL.
- IanEsplen

Looked like he was NHL ready when he was on a 100 point pace in the AHL.