Ben Shelley: Reviewing the season: Erik Gudbranson

Really like what he brought ... EG was better than I had expected. @ 4 mil. He’s just fine.

Would like it if he was 5 or 6 next yr more than a 4.

If Djoos can continue to grow I’d like to see him as the 4. But we still need better RHD.

Right handed defense men on the Ducks are like left handed pitchers in baseball, you just have to be decent and you'll get paid. I heard nothing but nightmares about Gudbranson from every Pens fan I talked to, but after watching him play, he's alright. If he was in the 5/6 spot he'd be great, but considering who Anaheim has on defense right now, what are you going to do?

Right handed defense men on the Ducks are like left handed pitchers in baseball, you just have to be decent and you'll get paid. I heard nothing but nightmares about Gudbranson from every Pens fan I talked to, but after watching him play, he's alright. If he was in the 5/6 spot he'd be great, but considering who Anaheim has on defense right now, what are you going to do?
- duxcup07

I don't know which Pens fans you talked to ("nothing but nightmares"??) but I thought the consensus was that he surprised in his first year but then regressed a little the second year, but still passable for his role. His contract was the only nightmare for the cap-strapped Pens. Maybe I've got more of a soft spot for Guds because he rag-dolled and manhandled Wilson. Still, though, I think most Pens fans thought well of Guds for what he is - a good third pair d-man who can play second pairing as a short-term fill-in.

I don't know which Pens fans you talked to ("nothing but nightmares"??) but I thought the consensus was that he surprised in his first year but then regressed a little the second year, but still passable for his role. His contract was the only nightmare for the cap-strapped Pens. Maybe I've got more of a soft spot for Guds because he rag-dolled and manhandled Wilson. Still, though, I think most Pens fans thought well of Guds for what he is - a good third pair d-man who can play second pairing as a short-term fill-in.
- Hockey66

Maybe it was contract angst with Gudbranson and Pens fans but I remember they were glad to get rid of him. Gudbranson is an old school Bob Murray type defenseman which is why the $4 million contract didn't scare him. I agree with you 100% about his role, though. He would be great, if slightly over-paid, in the third pairing. He's OK in the 2nd pairing with Fowler and since the Ducks aren't Stanley Cup contenders, he'll be fine for one more year.

Liked the physicality that he brought to the back end because besides Manson it is nonexistent. But other than that, he was a pylon. Often pinned in his own end, unable to make the stretch pass to get out of the zone and definitely unable to drive the play in anyway. I know his deep statistics showed better but having season tickets and watching Gudbranson live very often, you can't help but get frustrated the way he plays the game. Definitely not a top 4 defenseman in this league. At best he's a 5/6 but id even put him as low as a 7th defenseman. I thought Larsson, Guhle, Djoos and MDZ all provided a better result.

He'll be fine to get us through this next season but id like to see the young guys get more playing time.

Liked the physicality that he brought to the back end because besides Manson it is nonexistent. But other than that, he was a pylon. Often pinned in his own end, unable to make the stretch pass to get out of the zone and definitely unable to drive the play in anyway. I know his deep statistics showed better but having season tickets and watching Gudbranson live very often, you can't help but get frustrated the way he plays the game. Definitely not a top 4 defenseman in this league. At best he's a 5/6 but id even put him as low as a 7th defenseman. I thought Larsson, Guhle, Djoos and MDZ all provided a better result.

He'll be fine to get us through this next season but id like to see the young guys get more playing time.
- Chaselong91

Nothing wrong with having a sound D who keeps the other team accountable. I was only confused by the Perry buyout is all. Jeopardizing your future cap space while buying out one of the greatest all-time Ducks just seemed odd. It didn't make sense. At least you were able to acquire that 1st with Backes, but I was genuinely surprised you didn't ride his final two years out.

Nothing wrong with having a sound D who keeps the other team accountable. I was only confused by the Perry buyout is all. Jeopardizing your future cap space while buying out one of the greatest all-time Ducks just seemed odd. It didn't make sense. At least you were able to acquire that 1st with Backes, but I was genuinely surprised you didn't ride his final two years out.
- bikeguy99

Pears actually should've been bought out a year earlier than he was.

What crushed us was the Eaves injury. Because he had great chemistry with Getz .. more than enough to make up for the buyout of Pears.