Tim Chiasson: Questioning Justin Braun's Perceived Value Is Justin Braun really as good of a defender as everyone thinks? Or is he being heavily carried by Vlasic?

We should see if Lonnie Cameron wants to play D for us!

That hit he laid on Mueller... that's the kind of aggressiveness, tenacity & shutdown ability we need in our top 4!

Why don't you show who Braun is playing with when he isn't playing with Vlasic? Maybe the other players are such anchors that he is being brought down significantly?

Why don't you show who Braun is playing with when he isn't playing with Vlasic? Maybe the other players are such anchors that he is being brought down significantly?
- Chadavitch

The sample size varies from partner to partner with no major significance. He's made Brad Stuart better, but has also been carried by Matt Irwin - who is dreadful - as well as carried by Dillon when they play.

If his value as a top defender on the Sharks was fair then he shouldn't suffer such a drop in play - especially on a positive possession team.

My questioning his value in the top four is better accurately served by using Vlasic vs Stuart or Irwin and the sample gets even smaller after those two. I'm not saying he's not capable of being a top four defender so saying he carries Scott Hannan doesn't really justify anything - because a snail could carry Scott Hannan successfully. I'm just pondering his actual value within the Sharks top four as a basis for my opinion that the Sharks need another top four D.

Yes, I agree he is probably a little overrated. Whoever gets paired with Vlasic will always look way better than they probably are.

Is Braun a top-4 caliber defenceman if he was paired with Dillon instead of Vlasic? I'd love to hear people's opinions on that.

Yes, I agree he is probably a little overrated. Whoever gets paired with Vlasic will always look way better than they probably are.

Is Braun a top-4 caliber defenceman if he was paired with Dillon instead of Vlasic? I'd love to hear people's opinions on that.
- Sharks_12

They haven't been a very successful pair this year when they've matched up together in my opinion. Burns isn't going anywhere, it doesn't seem, from the first pairing so I'd rather see Vlasic-Burns, PlayerX-Dillon, Mueller-Braun when healthy and moving forward to next year.

That would be a pretty solid group for me.

Going back 3 years on Braun is difficult. During the strike shortened year he was playing hurt, fighting for a roster spot, and really had a bad year. That was also the same year that demers had a down year. Last year they both picked up their play quite substantially coming back healthy.

That being said, there's not a defenseman in the league that wouldn't benefit from playing with Vlasic. Look at what Drew Doughty did in the Olympics! Doughty is always great, but he was a monster playing with Vlasic.

I do agree we need to add 1-2 defensemen to our corp. I don't agree that Dillon is better than Braun on our team.

Going back 3 years on Braun is difficult. During the strike shortened year he was playing hurt, fighting for a roster spot, and really had a bad year. That was also the same year that demers had a down year. Last year they both picked up their play quite substantially coming back healthy.

That being said, there's not a defenseman in the league that wouldn't benefit from playing with Vlasic. Look at what Drew Doughty did in the Olympics! Doughty is always great, but he was a monster playing with Vlasic.

I do agree we need to add 1-2 defensemen to our corp. I don't agree that Dillon is better than Braun on our team.
- IDtheJC

I don't expect many people to agree with me re: Dillon.

I just find his play more consistently positive regardless of partner, and he hasn't had the benefit of playing with MEV.

I don't expect many people to agree with me re: Dillon.

I just find his play more consistently positive regardless of partner, and he hasn't had the benefit of playing with MEV.
- Tim Chiasson

Fair enough, I appreciate the article regardless. Unfortunately, like you mentioned Dillon hasn't played with MEV. So we can only create correlation with the numbers. I think we don't need a top 4 defenseman BECAUSE of a particular player. I think we need a top 4 defenseman because of the style of players we have. We have 3 defensive defenseman, when healthy, and Burns. Swapping one to get another 2 way/offense guy would greatly benefit the pairings. The easiest person to swap/upgrade is Dillon. He's an RFA at the end of this year and very affordable. So, he would be a good addition to say the Leafs or Canes for Franson or Sekera along with some draft compensation.

They haven't been a very successful pair this year when they've matched up together in my opinion. Burns isn't going anywhere, it doesn't seem, from the first pairing so I'd rather see Vlasic-Burns, PlayerX-Dillon, Mueller-Braun when healthy and moving forward to next year.

That would be a pretty solid group for me.
- Tim Chiasson

I think your overvaluing Dillon to be honest, to me Braun's a better Defensive defenseman than Dillon & that's what they are. Who wouldn't benifet from playing with Vlasic? Braun just needs a puck mover as his partner on the 2nd pair b/c just like Dillon their weaknesses are puck moving..........hence why they struggled together on that 2nd pairing.

I know you love Dillon right now but going into next season Dillon doesn't fit............Vlasic-Burns, ???-Braun, Mirco-Tennyson/Demelo.

To me i'd flip Dillon inthe offseason & upgrade that spot with a puck mover for a couple seasons, then by that time hopefully Mirco would be ready to move up to the 2nd pair.

I think your overvaluing Dillon to be honest, to me Braun's a better Defensive defenseman than Dillon & that's what they are. Who wouldn't benifet from playing with Vlasic? Braun just needs a puck mover as his partner on the 2nd pair b/c just like Dillon their weaknesses are puck moving..........hence why they struggled together on that 2nd pairing.

I know you love Dillon right now but going into next season Dillon doesn't fit............Vlasic-Burns, ???-Braun, Mirco-Tennyson/Demelo.

To me i'd flip Dillon inthe offseason & upgrade that spot with a puck mover for a couple seasons, then by that time hopefully Mirco would be ready to move up to the 2nd pair.
- SJSharks39

funny we both posted that at around the same time.

I think your overvaluing Dillon to be honest, to me Braun's a better Defensive defenseman than Dillon & that's what they are. Who wouldn't benifet from playing with Vlasic? Braun just needs a puck mover as his partner on the 2nd pair b/c just like Dillon their weaknesses are puck moving..........hence why they struggled together on that 2nd pairing.

I know you love Dillon right now but going into next season Dillon doesn't fit............Vlasic-Burns, ???-Braun, Mirco-Tennyson/Demelo.

To me i'd flip Dillon inthe offseason & upgrade that spot with a puck mover for a couple seasons, then by that time hopefully Mirco would be ready to move up to the 2nd pair.
- SJSharks39

That's just a little unsettling to me given the state of the crease for the Sharks. I also think Mueller needs a better partner than Tennyson or DeMelo at his age, he still needs a good development process even though he's with the big club.

But I agree, Braun needs a partner better suited for him.

Braun is good, but not top 4 good. Dillion in my opinion is better, and I really want us to sign him to an extension. This season reminds me of the 2011-12 season, the defense was horrible, Niemi was inconsistent. Scott Hannan is Colin White from that season.

As long as Hannan isn't back next year our d corps will be way better. We have lost quite a few games due to mistakes he has made. Or if you wanna be more fair to him, he makes mistakes that lead to goals at crucial times of the game that really hurt our chances of winning.

Dillon is better than Braun, yes. He's a better defender, both aren't the best at breaking the puck out, but with our dump and chase, boring system we don't need a "puck mover" on every pairing like all these new kids on the block think we do. That's not how winning hockey games works.

As long as Hannan isn't back next year our d corps will be way better. We have lost quite a few games due to mistakes he has made. Or if you wanna be more fair to him, he makes mistakes that lead to goals at crucial times of the game that really hurt our chances of winning.
- Sharks_12

If our defensive improvement is only letting Hannan walk, I'm going to have to disagree with you that our D will be "way better".

Sharks have too many underdeveloped OR marginal 3rd line calibre defensemen in their lineup to remain competitive. Irwin, Tennyson, Hannan & Mueller all fit into those 2 categories.

Vlasic, Burns, Braun & Dillon are all NHL calibre defensemen, but I think if the team was to trade or sign some other d-men, Braun & Dillon would easily slide back to 3rd pairing. I think the only reason Braun & Dillon are top 4-dmen is because the Sharks have no other option really. If we had the depth to have them as our 3rd pairing, we'd have a real good looking D group.

Dillon is better than Braun, yes. He's a better defender, both aren't the best at breaking the puck out, but with our dump and chase, boring system we don't need a "puck mover" on every pairing like all these new kids on the block think we do. That's not how winning hockey games works.
- mxgsfmdpx

I was going to reply, but instead I'll just leave this here instead.

That's just a little unsettling to me given the state of the crease for the Sharks. I also think Mueller needs a better partner than Tennyson or DeMelo at his age, he still needs a good development process even though he's with the big club.

But I agree, Braun needs a partner better suited for him.
- Tim Chiasson

I get where your coming from.....,i'm not as concerned about the goalie situation next year as you are. A Stalock & whoever we get to tandem with him i'm fine with that, it can't be anyworse than what Nemo has provided us this year.

Also that 3rd pair should be sheltered, we'd only need them to log 15 to 18 mins a game in a perfect world. I mean i'm not opposed to going outside the organization for a more established player to play with Mirco on that 3rd pair either. It's just we got guys like Tennyson & Demelo right handed defenseman to develop with Mirco on that 3rd pair. I'd rather that... go outside the organization move be a lefty for Braun's partner that's all i'm saying.

The real question re: Dillon is how is his face feeling today? My God did he get rocked last night

Dillon is better than Braun, yes. He's a better defender, both aren't the best at breaking the puck out, but with our dump and chase, boring system we don't need a "puck mover" on every pairing like all these new kids on the block think we do. That's not how winning hockey games works.
- mxgsfmdpx

Really? Puck movers are quite (frank)ing necessary, being able to start the breakout & get on the offensive. Or else you'll always struggle getting the puck out of the defensive zone & be stuck scrambling & playing defense that's never a good thing. Balance is a good thing to have my friend.

But thanks for your insight & i always love your backhanded comments aimed at us new guys like you always say.

If our defensive improvement is only letting Hannan walk, I'm going to have to disagree with you that our D will be "way better".

Sharks have too many underdeveloped OR marginal 3rd line calibre defensemen in their lineup to remain competitive. Irwin, Tennyson, Hannan & Mueller all fit into those 2 categories.
- Bessette

I was exaggerating with the "way better" part I just don't like Hannan and every we time we lose a game on a bad play by him it helps my soul to come here and complain about him.

On a totally serious note I think you are overrating Scott Hannan. Tennyson, Mueller and even Irwin have shown themselves to be noticeably better hockey players than Hannan this season.

I was exaggerating with the "way better" part I just don't like Hannan and every we time we lose a game on a bad play by him it helps my soul to come here and complain about him.

On a totally serious note I think you are overrating Scott Hannan. Tennyson, Mueller and even Irwin have shown themselves to be noticeably better hockey players than Hannan this season.
- Sharks_12

I agree that they're better than Hannan. But I still think each of them either need more time to develop or marginal 3rd pairing d-men.

Basically... I'm saying we need some more talented D-men so that we can move guys like Braun & Dillon to the 3rd pair. If we had enough talent that Braun & Dillon were able to be our 3rd pairing, I think we'd be pretty set on defence.

Brauny is a defensive defenseman, it doesnt bother me if he doesnt score. He can be a number 4 at times but is mostly a good bottom pair.

Brauny is a defensive defenseman, it doesnt bother me if he doesnt score. He can be a number 4 at times but is mostly a good bottom pair.
- BeastModeS62

So the consensus seems to be for next season

Vlasic - Braun
Burns - Free Agent in the 3.5-4.5M range
Dillon - Mueller

Hannan -- retired
Irwin and Tennyson -- anywhere but here

So the consensus seems to be for next season

Vlasic - Braun
Burns - Free Agent in the 3.5-4.5M range
Dillon - Mueller

Hannan -- retired
Irwin and Tennyson -- anywhere but here
- vols94