He's not a Norris Trophy guy because the voters generally don't vote for offensive guys.

But he's only a notch below Karlsson in terms of offensive talent at the position.

And he's a lot stronger than he looks. He's a gym rat.
- bradleyc4

I disagree there.. I think its the other way around...

Wait, what?

He's one of the most dynamic offensive defensemen in the game. Sure, he's prone to being out of position, being a little too aggressive with pinches, etc. But he's a great talent.
- bradleyc4

And I'm sure teams do not like to play against him at all. I like his game.

And I'm sure teams do not like to play against him at all. I like his game.
- Scoob

If you put a defenseman like Letang on a team that isn't playing a strong two way game as a whole, they get singled out. Put him on Boston, and the conversation would be about how he's a star!

I disagree there.. I think its the other way around...
- jak521

I think they prefer to vote for two-way guys like Doughty, Chara, Subban, Suter, etc. over guys like Letang and Mike Green.

Yes, Karlsson won it last year. But his contributions were head-and-shoulders above everyone else.

And I'm sure teams do not like to play against him at all. I like his game.
- Scoob

For an offensive d-man... he has a ton of raw defensive skills. I think over time he will round his game out a bit more. I could see him turning into a Dan Boyle..

I think they prefer to vote for two-way guys like Doughty, Chara, Subban, Suter, etc. over guys like Letang and Mike Green.

Yes, Karlsson won it last year. But his contributions were head-and-shoulders above everyone else.
- bradleyc4

I agree that two-way players have the advantage (as they should), but offensively gifted players definitely have the advantage over defensively gifted.

For example, people will think higher of Mike Green than of Rob Scuderi, but if I had my choice, I take Scuderi 7 days a week. He might be my favorite defensive d-man in the game. The ultimate defender.

Karlsson plays a pretty sufficient two-way game himself... there was no arguing his winning.

If you put a defenseman like Letang on a team that isn't playing a strong two way game as a whole, they get singled out. Put him on Boston, and the conversation would be about how he's a star!
- MJL

I guess we'll never know because he'll probably never be seen playing in Boston or a system like Boston's.

cudos to the Boston GM, the bruins are a hell of a team

I guess we'll never know because he'll probably never be seen playing in Boston or a system like Boston's.
- johndewar

idk about that... the Pens could be in a very strange spot in the next few seasons...

I agree that two-way players have the advantage (as they should), but offensively gifted players definitely have the advantage over defensively gifted.

For example, people will think higher of Mike Green than of Rob Scuderi, but if I had my choice, I take Scuderi 7 days a week. He might be my favorite defensive d-man in the game. The ultimate defender.
- jak521

I really don't have a problem with defenders who lean towards the offensive side of the game, because I think there's a place for that, but I grimace when I hear about how great some of these players are, because when they are off free lancing, chances are, some other poor fool has to hustle to cover for that guy.

cudos to the Boston GM, the bruins are a hell of a team
- vejim

Yeah, they are.

How easy would it have been to give up on Patrice Bergeron after all the problems he's had with concussions? That dude has been a stud in these playoffs.

I really don't have a problem with defenders who lean towards the offensive side of the game, because I think there's a place for that, but I grimace when I hear about how great some of these players are, because when they are off free lancing, chances are, some other poor fool has to hustle to cover for that guy.
- johndewar

I played defensive positions in every sport I played (soccer, lacrosse, hockey, bowling (i was a pin), and law club) so I have a soft spot for defensive players. They are VERY RARELY glamorous, but the mindset is amazing to me. As a d-man, you have to be at your very best at all times, because one mistake and you have failed your team, whereas with forwards... you can suck ALL GAME and then pop out and pot a goal and be a hero.. cough cough.. Danny B

idk about that... the Pens could be in a very strange spot in the next few seasons...
- jak521

Amnesty MAF and things look a lot less murkier.

Amnesty MAF and things look a lot less murkier.
- bradleyc4

Still need a goalie.. unless Subban progresses into an NHL caliber goalie very soon.

“There are some areas of our team that we’d like to fix sooner than later. If we had the chance to get something that helps our team immediately and not move [down] too many picks, we would at least have to have a pretty in-depth conversation about that within hockey operations,”

- Jim Rutherford

HMMMMM....

Still need a goalie.. unless Subban progresses into an NHL caliber goalie very soon.
- jak521

The Pens goaltending question is every bit as interesting (if not more so) than the Flyers goaltending question if only because, talent wise, the Pens are closer to a Cup right now than the Flyers.

G

Still need a goalie.. unless Subban progresses into an NHL caliber goalie very soon.
- jak521

The goalie market is ripe for the plucking.

The goalie market is ripe for the plucking.
- bradleyc4

I am not sure how to take this..

I am not sure how to take this..
- jak521

Haha -- I don't think it's very difficult to acquire a decent starting goaltender.

I played defensive positions in every sport I played ... so I have a soft spot for defensive players. They are VERY RARELY glamorous, but the mindset is amazing to me. As a d-man, you have to be at your very best at all times, because one mistake and you have failed your team, whereas with forwards... you can suck ALL GAME and then pop out and pot a goal and be a hero.. cough cough.. Danny B
- jak521

Exactly

Haha -- I don't think it's very difficult to acquire a decent starting goaltender.
- bradleyc4

Yeah, I think there are going to be a lot more quality players available this summer than the UFA list currently suggests... CBOs, salary-dumps, waiver-wire, shared-cap trades... teams with any kind of cap room are going to get some tremendous bargains... all because of the sharp upper-limit drop.

Of course, as it stands, the Flyers aren't in position to take advantage over any of it... surprise surprise.

Yeah, I think there are going to be a lot more quality players available this summer than the UFA list currently suggests... CBOs, salary-dumps, waiver-wire, shared-cap trades... teams with any kind of cap room are going to get some tremendous bargains... all because of the sharp upper-limit drop.

Of course, as it stands, the Flyers aren't in position to take advantage over any of it... surprise surprise.
- Tomahawk

Yeah I think there are going to be a lot more trades happening than in normal offseasons. Which is even more intriguing when you consider how deep the draft is this year. Should be a good time.

Still need a goalie.. unless Subban progresses into an NHL caliber goalie very soon.
- jak521

You mean Hartzel? Malcom Subban is a Bruins draft pick.

Yeah, I think there are going to be a lot more quality players available this summer than the UFA list currently suggests... CBOs, salary-dumps, waiver-wire, shared-cap trades... teams with any kind of cap room are going to get some tremendous bargains... all because of the sharp upper-limit drop.

Of course, as it stands, the Flyers aren't in position to take advantage over any of it... surprise surprise.
- Tomahawk

Not yet. Hopefully they admit their mistake and have the wherewithal to move on, despite the large financial hit they would have to take.

Not yet. Hopefully they admit their mistake and have the wherewithal to move on, despite the large financial hit they would have to take.
- bradleyc4

That's exactly what I'm hoping for. If they make that one move the off season takes on a whole new look and so does the team.

Other than the excitement I'm usually not all that into the makeover but this team needs one and with one move they can get a substantial one. I can't remember the last time I saw a team sag under the weight of a single player.