The forwards are on the ice at the same time as our d core. It's not like one is playing well and the other isn't. They are both making crucial mistakes at crucial times. And while me might be keeping teams to below thirty shots, I bet we are near the top of the league in grade A scoring chances against.
- CubanBuffet

shots on goal can be flattering too if they are easy saves, goalie sees the shot. game is wide open at times with no finish until it ends up in the back of our net.

mind you, even though we have been losing, I have been enjoying certain elements of the game, just missing Sbisa and Prust's physical play. Dorsett looks all banged up and JV to a certain extent too.

That's not a very strong case for how the d-core is performing overall on the season. It's a lot easier to pick on the one bad play than it is to notice a game where they don't make a mistake. Watch a couple leafs or oilers games and you might think a little more fondly of old edler
- neem55

I thought someone went right around EK and Sens fans are saying it was one of his best games this year.

I get down on Edler but as they say, if you get a lot of ice time, you are bound to make some mistakes. It is hard to not hold a little grudge, especially those drop passes.

maybe this has been talked about, but I've been away a while BUT......

Hutton is exactly the kind of defenseman this team has never had. Just watching him, he has true #1 written all over him....think in the mold of Keith or Niedermayer or Doughty.

Add a rock solid d-man to be his partner and this team will finally have real potential to win a Cup.

Hutton is the real deal man.

Very pie in the sky but my jaw drops every time I see the kid play. So smooth, skilled and a tonne of confidence - great draft pick.....

The forwards are on the ice at the same time as our d core. It's not like one is playing well and the other isn't. They are both making crucial mistakes at crucial times. And while me might be keeping teams to below thirty shots, I bet we are near the top of the league in grade A scoring chances against.
- CubanBuffet

Actually were not, as some metrics show for some "quality" scoring positions, namely the slot and hashmarks, and the canucks are doing above the average. Edler has the second fewest shots against average on the team behind only Jake Virtanen (An nice stat for JV)

Actually were not, as some metrics show for some "quality" scoring positions, namely the slot and hashmarks, and the canucks are doing above the average. Edler has the second fewest shots against average on the team behind only Jake Virtanen (An nice stat for JV)
- neem55

I should note that you can see this for yourself at hockeyanalysis.com. looks like our worst D are Bartowski and Sbisa in that category (no surprise IMO). Sutter, Burrows and Tanev round out the top 5 (no surprise there either IMO).

maybe this has been talked about, but I've been away a while BUT......

Hutton is exactly the kind of defenseman this team has never had. Just watching him, he has true #1 written all over him....think in the mold of Keith or Niedermayer or Doughty.

Add a rock solid d-man to be his partner and this team will finally have real potential to win a Cup.

Hutton is the real deal man.

Very pie in the sky but my jaw drops every time I see the kid play. So smooth, skilled and a tonne of confidence - great draft pick.....
- chompsey

Minimum second pairing potential. I don't want to get ahead of myself, i remember Corrado playing in the playoffs and wondering why he wasn't with the club sooner...

Not a lot to complain about with Hutton, just a pleasant surprise for the club and fans.

And as you say, about watching him play, the poise, seldom coughs up the puck or rushes a pass if it doesn't look safe, just makes a move or turns and skates it out of trouble.

Minimum second pairing potential. I don't want to get ahead of myself, i remember Corrado playing in the playoffs and wondering why he wasn't with the club sooner...

Not a lot to complain about with Hutton, just a pleasant surprise for the club and fans.

And as you say, about watching him play, the poise, seldom coughs up the puck or rushes a pass if it doesn't look safe, just makes a move or turns and skates it out of trouble.
- hillbillydeluxe

Last night was his worst I thought, but probably just jitters playing at home for the first time. He has been unreal, hope he can keep it up, he looks like the real deal!

Minimum second pairing potential. I don't want to get ahead of myself, i remember Corrado playing in the playoffs and wondering why he wasn't with the club sooner...

Not a lot to complain about with Hutton, just a pleasant surprise for the club and fans.

And as you say, about watching him play, the poise, seldom coughs up the puck or rushes a pass if it doesn't look safe, just makes a move or turns and skates it out of trouble.
- hillbillydeluxe

I remember the same, but it is no contest between the 2. Hutton makes Corrado look like an ECHL d-man.

I rarely get this jacked about a player but Hutton has blown my socks off.

Also, Virtanen is a beast!!! His power moves are fun to watch. I hope he continues to improve.

The future is brighter than its been since the Linden/Bure days.....

I remember the days of Jyrki Lumme and Jeff Brown QB'ing the PP. Even Hedican, Sopel, Jovocop and Aucoin did a better job than what we are seeing today.
- Itsjustarash

Aucoin was the same as Salo... and Weber to a much lesser extent.

Actually controlling the play, taking the puck up the ice and distributing the puck... it's been a long long time. Paul Reinhart maybe. Jovo was close, same with Lumme and perhaps Ohlund..., but we've missing this piece for much of our existence.

Edler was supposed to be this guy, and he is failing miserably. Hutton or Bartkowski are the closest thing we have now... maybe Subban if he keeps developing/growing...

Edler + for Duchene?

Edler + for Duchene?
- Retinalz

Step backward overall.

We already have Sedin, Horvat, McCann up the middle and still need another top 4 d-man. Subtracting one would make an already poopty defense much worse....

Step backward overall.

We already have Sedin, Horvat, McCann up the middle and still need another top 4 d-man. Subtracting one would make an already poopty defense much worse....
- chompsey

I would agree with this, but I am a fan of not making the playoffs this year and duchene is 24 and brings a lot of what we don't have with his wheels and elite shooting ability. Edler is our best d-man though (screw you haters, Tanev will be better one day but Edler is better offesively) so Hamuis would be preferable to me.

I would agree with this, but I am a fan of not making the playoffs this year and duchene is 24 and brings a lot of what we don't have with his wheels and elite shooting ability. Edler is our best d-man though (screw you haters, Tanev will be better one day but Edler is better offesively) so Hamuis would be preferable to me.
- neem55

I think by year end Hutton will push Edler out of a job here. Edler + for Duchene and then a 2nd for Tinordi?

I think by year end Hutton will push Edler out of a job here. Edler + for Duchene and then a 2nd for Tinordi?
- Retinalz

Expain why we would want Tinordi

I think by year end Hutton will push Edler out of a job here. Edler + for Duchene and then a 2nd for Tinordi?
- Retinalz

I don't know what your smoking, but it must be strong. Who in their right minds would trade off a guy with Tinordi's upside and current play for a 2nd? Also Hutton is good, but not playing 27 minutes a night good. Edler leads the team in icetime. Sbisa or Bartoiwski's job on the other hand, maybe. Buy hey, let the Edler hate continue. At the end of the year when edler continues to have the number's he does now maybe you lot will change your tune.

Expain why we would want Tinordi
- thundachunk

Not enough busts on this team

Expain why we would want Tinordi
- thundachunk

He's 6'6, has a lot of upside and is physical.

He's 6'6, has a lot of upside and is physical.
- neem55

Got pedan for that

Got pedan for that
- phyllee

True. He's also a plus 7 in 36 games in the A, so is a little more NHL ready than Pedan IMO.

He's 6'6, has a lot of upside and is physical.
- neem55

Personally I am tired of throwing away picks.

I don't know what your smoking, but it must be strong. Who in their right minds would trade off a guy with Tinordi's upside and current play for a 2nd? Also Hutton is good, but not playing 27 minutes a night good. Edler leads the team in icetime. Sbisa or Bartoiwski's job on the other hand, maybe. Buy hey, let the Edler hate continue. At the end of the year when edler continues to have the number's he does now maybe you lot will change your tune.
- neem55

Tinordi isn't playing, and has low value. MTL wouldn't get more than a 2nd for a dman that isn't playing nor improving. His value will only drop if he doesn't get games via a dman getting injured right now.

I should note that you can see this for yourself at hockeyanalysis.com. looks like our worst D are Bartowski and Sbisa in that category (no surprise IMO). Sutter, Burrows and Tanev round out the top 5 (no surprise there either IMO).
- neem55

Flagged for quoting yourself.

Edler + for Duchene?
- Retinalz

Raymond Ballard and a 2nd

Raymond Ballard and a 2nd
- vancity787

Done.

But seriously I wouldn't mind packaging edler for duchene(they wanted him last year)
and then trading a 2nd for tinordi to replace edler.

Done.

But seriously I wouldn't mind packaging edler for duchene(they wanted him last year)
and then trading a 2nd for tinordi to replace edler.
- Retinalz

Do you think the Av's would bite on Edler now though?

I think for Duchene's speed and acoring abilities the Avs are gonna want one of Hutton McCann Horvat or JV and that just ain't gonna happen. Hey...if they bit on Edler for Duchene I would make that deal today. Much like Hamhuis, for what Edler brings us...we can get the same Dman for 1/3 the price.