That's the definition of a # 1 dman to me. A guy who impacts the game on both sides of the puck, plays in all situations, and gives you 25 all-star caliber minutes per night.

IMO, if there are 15 of those guys in the NHL it's a lot.
- PLindbergh31

How many number 1 goalies are there in the league then? Lundquist and Quick? Is that it?

Byfuglien's skill level or offensive production isn't the issue. It's his all around lack of discipline. He doesn't play a smart game. He gambles on the offensive side too much. He lacks the little things in his game that contribute greatly to winning. I don't think he's the kind of defensman this team needs to add.
- MJL

Yep, he clearly lacks those kinds of things in his game that contribute to winning...

I feel like I have to keep a closer watch on my wife.
- mayorofangrytown

I think I have to keep a closer eye on her too.

True, It's not a case where a guy is a legit number one because he's the best guy on a team.

But I do have a bit broader definition than you. I definitely think a guy like Phaneuf is a legit numer one, as are guys like Enstrom, Bouwmeester and Brian Boyle(although Boyle's decline might not have him at that level anymore). Hell, I even think an argument could be made for a guy like Brian Campbell as a legit number one.

But certainly, just because a Salvador level guys is the best on a particular team...
- Jsaquella

And that is certainly fair. Those guys are really good players.

How many number 1 goalies are there in the league then? Lundquist and Quick? Is that it?
- youarewrong

No but there are only 3 elite goalies in the league imo: Lundqvist, Quick, Rask

That's the definition of a # 1 dman to me. A guy who impacts the game on both sides of the puck, plays in all situations, and gives you 25 all-star caliber minutes per night.

IMO, if there are 15 of those guys in the NHL it's a lot.
- PLindbergh31

By my estimation:

1) Chara
2) Weber
3) Keith
4) Karlsson
5) Suter
6) Pietrangelo
7) Doughty
8) Subban
9) OEL
10) Letang
11) Phaneuf
12) Kronwall
13) Enstrom
14) Markov
15) Green
16) Byfuglien
17) Bouwmeester
18) Boyle


Honorable mention: Edler, Campbell, Pitkanen

Yep, he clearly lacks those kinds of things in his game that contribute to winning...





- exlund

Guess Gagne was also a big part of a Cup winner too.

How many number 1 goalies are there in the league then? Lundquist and Quick? Is that it?
- youarewrong

No but there are only 3 elite goalies in the league imo: Lundqvist, Quick, Rask
- JAKEw1234

Is Rask elite yet? I dont think I can give him that, yet. 2 years ago Halak was "elite"

By my estimation:

1) Chara
2) Weber
3) Keith
4) Karlsson
5) Suter
6) Pietrangelo
7) Doughty
8) Subban
9) OEL
10) Letang
11) Phaneuf
12) Kronwall
13) Enstrom
14) Markov
15) Green
16) Byfuglien
17) Bouwmeester
18) Boyle


Honorable mention: Edler, Campbell, Pitkanen
- Tomahawk

Very fair list. I would probably take a few guys off. But that's just a matter of opinion.

No but there are only 3 elite goalies in the league imo: Lundqvist, Quick, Rask
- JAKEw1234

Yes, they are elite, and I'll add Rinne. The #1 goalies to me (besides them):

Miller (maybe)
Bobrovsky
Price
Niemi
Luongo
Pavelec (maybe)

Very fair list. I would probably take a few guys off. But that's just a matter of defination.
- PLindbergh31

FTFY

But certainly, just because a Salvador level guys is the best on a particular team...
- Jsaquella

There's the mantle of Number One Defenseman, and then there's the depth chart designation.

Like how Matt Stajan isn't a Number One Center... even though technically he was CGY's #1 center on the depth chart to start the season.

By my estimation:

1) Chara
2) Weber
3) Keith
4) Karlsson
5) Suter
6) Pietrangelo
7) Doughty
8) Subban
9) OEL
10) Letang
11) Phaneuf
12) Kronwall
13) Enstrom
14) Markov
15) Green
16) Byfuglien
17) Bouwmeester
18) Boyle


Honorable mention: Edler, Campbell, Pitkanen
- Tomahawk

Enstrom and Markov? Really?

By my estimation:

1) Chara
2) Weber
3) Keith
4) Karlsson
5) Suter
6) Pietrangelo
7) Doughty
8) Subban
9) OEL
10) Letang
11) Phaneuf
12) Kronwall
13) Enstrom
14) Markov
15) Green
16) Byfuglien
17) Bouwmeester
18) Boyle


Honorable mention: Edler, Campbell, Pitkanen
- Tomahawk

You tossed his name in to see if anybody read your whole post, didn't you

Well, also remember the Flyers were coming off a year where they have a huge amount of offensive production, but we exposed for having a weak-at-best defensive game. JVR's contributions were minimal due to his injuries, and they still had tons of offensive output. Management probably figured they could more an area of strength (offense) for an area of weakness (defensive defense). Just didn't quite work out that they had the offense to spare.
- jmatchett383

I thought Burke easily won that trade. I considered it ridiculous the moment I heard it. I remember thinking, "The only way we win this trade is if JVR ends up with PCS and goes the way of Brett Lindros."

Do I feel a little better about it since Schenn has actually played decent last season. Sure, because I thought it was a disaster in the making. Here's my injured player for your flop. Mine will probably get better because he's injured and can heal. I hope yours doesn't stay a flop.

Yes, they are elite, and I'll add Rinne. The #1 goalies to me (besides them):

Miller (maybe)
Bobrovsky
Price
Niemi
Luongo
Pavelec (maybe)
- jmatchett383

really? Bobrovsky and Pavelec makes the list but Loungo, Broduer, Lehtonen, Smith, and Neimi dont?

I do. He has top pairing potential as a physical defender paired with a #1 defenseman.
- MJL

I agree. Some it seems are quickly forgetting his impressive performance as essentially a top paring D man down the stretch last season. A mere few games into a new campaign and all of the sudden he's a bust? A player's development isn't linear...there will be ups and downs, but I see the same potential as you do for Schenn.

Guess Gagne was also a big part of a Cup winner too.

- jmatchett383

Well, Byfuglien did lead the Blackhawks in playoff goals in 2010 and played all 82 regular season games that season, so he's definitely a bigger part of that team than Gagne was in LA

I thought Burke easily won that trade. I considered it ridiculous the moment I heard it. I remember thinking, "The only way we win this trade is if JVR ends up with PCS and goes the way of Brett Lindros."

Do I feel a little better about it since Schenn has actually played decent last season. Sure, because I thought it was a disaster in the making. Here's my injured player for your flop. Mine will probably get better because he's injured and can heal. I hope yours doesn't stay a flop.
- mayorofangrytown

Hey, again, I'm not saying the trade was the best, or even overly smart. But sadly, there was a reason behind it, albeit not a good one.

I think I have to keep a closer eye on her too.
- youarewrong

Stick your tongue back in your head Romeo.

Enstrom and Markov? Really?
- JAKEw1234

Markov is old, but he fits the criteria that I listed before.

We don't get to see much of Enstrom, mostly due to injury, but he's actually kind of godly.

Is Rask elite yet? I dont think I can give him that, yet. 2 years ago Halak was "elite"
- youarewrong

Yes, Rask is elite.

You tossed his name in to see if anybody read your whole post, didn't you
- 77rams

Haha... maybe......