Phoenix got that player in Pronger
And still felt the need to go after grossman too
Guess that explains why their a dumpster fire
- Just5

I don't know where your trying to go with this.

Everyone knows Pronger was a money/cap thing. So why even bring him up. Grossmann is a serviceable vet and I also think his cap hit was what they wanted too. He has one year left and is a good player to have on the back end with the young dman they have.

Theyre also a team that had interest in Pronger.
- Just5

They had an interest in Pronger's contract. They couldn't give a hoot about him as a player.

Nodl. Really thought highly of him when he was with St. Cloud State.
- TheGreat28

The one player I really thought was gonna be something, but didn't pan out was Patrik Juhlin.

The one player I really thought was gonna be something, but didn't pan out was Patrik Juhlin.
- johndewar

that's more than 20 years though!!!!! yes I remember him in the Olympics and couldn't wait to see him play for the flyers. thought he was going to be really good.

I don't know. Who was the Hawks big one dimensional dman?

The Lightning had sustjr. Who is really big but he can skate some and move the puck, and was still the weak link in that series
- Just5

hjalmarrson.

Why do you feel the need to troll when we are having a pretty good discussion?
- MBFlyerfan

It's gonna be a long summer hang in there

The one player I really thought was gonna be something, but didn't pan out was Patrik Juhlin.
- johndewar

Me too, he didn't take well to the physicality of NHL game of that era.

We've had this discussion before. If you have top defenseman, who can handle all situations, including the more physical parts of the game, such as the PK, then you don't need a defensive, physical stay at home player in the lineup as much. The problem is that there is a shortage of those kinds of players in the NHL. So teams look to add players who fit a certain role, to play in certain situations. There is still room, and there still is a need for players like Grossmann in today's NHL.
- MJL

I think the word need is a bit much. That type of d-man still exists, but is rapidly dying out. Less and less teams structure their defense around physical grinding d-men. The sport is to fast and skilled for that type of guy any more.


However, while hockey is still evolving, you will continue to see these guys, albeit fewer and fewer in numbers. They remind me a lot of true enforcers. There really isnt a need for that type of player anymore.

hjalmarrson.
- benjichronic

He possesses too many tools to be grouped with that type of player

I think the word need is a bit much. That type of d-man still exists, but is rapidly dying out. Less and less teams structure their defense around physical grinding d-men. The sport is to fast and skilled for that type of guy any more.


However, while hockey is still evolving, you will continue to see these guys, albeit fewer and fewer in numbers. They remind me a lot of true enforcers. There really isnt a need for that type of player anymore.
- jak521

You do need at least 1 or 2dmen with size and some snarl to win puck battles in the corner and clear the porch, but they need to be at least average skaters and have a little skill if they expect to see top 4 minutes.

I think the word need is a bit much. That type of d-man still exists, but is rapidly dying out. Less and less teams structure their defense around physical grinding d-men. The sport is to fast and skilled for that type of guy any more.


However, while hockey is still evolving, you will continue to see these guys, albeit fewer and fewer in numbers. They remind me a lot of true enforcers. There really isnt a need for that type of player anymore.
- jak521

It's all turning into hybrid type dmen. Look at hedman, pietrangelo, lindholm, ekblad, jones-- all these players are big, play great defense, and can move pucks out of their d zone whether that's by skating the puck or by passing.

Why do you feel the need to troll when we are having a pretty good discussion?
- MBFlyerfan

Love trolli gummy worms

You do need at least 1 or 2dmen with size and some snarl to win puck battles in the corner and clear the porch, but they need to be at least average skaters and have a little skill if they expect to see top 4 minutes.
- BiggE

Schenn and Grossmann are the former.. these are the guys like Rathje and Hatcher...

Now its more of a hybrid. You see guys like Sustr, Polak, Girardi, Hamonic and Emelin.

Love trolli gummy worms
- Streit2ThePoint

way better than twizzlers, maybe even better than swedish fish

I think the word need is a bit much. That type of d-man still exists, but is rapidly dying out. Less and less teams structure their defense around physical grinding d-men. The sport is to fast and skilled for that type of guy any more.


However, while hockey is still evolving, you will continue to see these guys, albeit fewer and fewer in numbers. They remind me a lot of true enforcers. There really isnt a need for that type of player anymore.
- jak521

You still need size on the back end. As the forwards keep getting bigger you need to have some size on the back to counter that

Look at some of the guys drafted this year. Crouse, Bittner, Greenway. You can't have guys like Gostisbehre continually going against that size.

That's why Morin could be so important. To have that size and still be able to skate and provide a good outlet pass will be huge with the bigger forwards.

hjalmarrson.
- benjichronic

Hjalmarrson??? Not even close.

It's all turning into hybrid type dmen. Look at hedman, pietrangelo, lindholm, ekblad, jones-- all these players are big, play great defense, and can move pucks out of their d zone whether that's by skating the puck or by passing.
- benjichronic

Yup, and I think Provorov and Sanheim both can be that type of player. Morin will never have their wheels or skills, but there will always be room in the top 4 for huge, nasty guy with decent skating and skills.

You still need size on the back end. As the forwards keep getting bigger you need to have some size on the back to counter that

Look at some of the guys drafted this year. Crouse, Bittner, Greenway. You can't have guys like Gostisbehre continually going against that size.

That's why Morin could be so important. To have that size and still be able to skate and provide a good outlet pass will be huge with the bigger forwards.
- J35Bacher

Never have I argued against employing bigger d-men. But big and slow, but physical... nope.

Schenn and Grossmann are the former.. these are the guys like Rathje and Hatcher...

Now its more of a hybrid. You see guys like Sustr, Polak, Girardi, Hamonic and Emelin.
- jak521

Hatcher in his prime was an average skater with solid skills. He could play in any era.

way better than twizzlers, maybe even better than swedish fish
- BulliesPhan87

Everyone is just trying to piss me off by bashing Swedish fish. I'll say it one more time... Swedish fish are superior to every other candy on the market.

Everyone is just trying to piss me off by bashing Swedish fish. I'll say it one more time... Swedish fish are superior to every other candy on the market.
- benjichronic

take off the swedish tinted glasses and see the truth benji

Everyone is just trying to piss me off by bashing Swedish fish. I'll say it one more time... Swedish fish are superior to every other candy on the market.
- benjichronic

Sorry bud, I'm a chocoholic. Give me a snickers bar, m&m's or the reeses cups any day over sugared plastic.

take off the swedish tinted glasses and see the truth benji
- BulliesPhan87

Runts

Hjalmarrson??? Not even close.
- jak521

Not even close to what?? Him being a one dimensional dman? Cuz he is. He's a big body that blocks shots, kills penalties, and plays shutdown d... doesn't really do all that much scoring, not the best skater by any means... how does that not fit that description??

Runts
- J35Bacher

banana only, the rest are filler