A healthy Klefbom is a #1 defenseman. Period.

On the Oilers, yes.
Otherwise you're saying he = OEL, Doughty, Karlsson... I don't think he's bad, just not a #1 on most other teams.

A healthy Klefbom is a #1 defenseman. Period.

On the Oilers, yes.
Otherwise you're saying he = OEL, Doughty, Karlsson... I don't think he's bad, just not a #1 on most other teams.
- geta02it

To me there's 31 #1 d-men in the league.

I don't have Klef in there, so I hate to see the people that really only think there are 5 #1 d-men in the league really think about this.

Solid blog Sean. Hopefully Talbot and Sekera can bounce back.

You should also write a blog about the Oilers coaches and look into that aspect of the team. Just food for thought.

Gah,

For awhile there you were putting together decent blogs but each new one sees you falling into the everything is Chiarellis fault lame category.

Klefbom was putrid last year especially in the first half, reportedly 100% injury free to start the year. Whether he actually was injured, who knows, but I find it suspicious that as his supposed injuries got worse and his actual play got better during the season as it went on.
- Aerchon

Klefbom has had a persistent problem in his shoulder stemming from an injury he had when he was younger. To my understanding, his injury had led to his shoulder having multiple bone fragments embedded in his shoulder's musculature and led to significant discomfort and a limited range of motion.

It had gotten worse after a few hits in the 2017 Playoffs but likely didn't notice the significance of it until the games started to ramp up in intensity and his shoulder started being taxed. At that point, it was likely a matter of not wanting to sewer his team's season by going to get surgery as- when he's healthy- he's a vital part of the team's attack.

The concerns about his injury history are 100% valid and shouldn't be taken lightly. However, nor should his value to the team be understated. His breakout abilities are invaluable and are a unique asset on the team currently (Bouchard may change this) so any trade sending him out needs to return a player of similar skillset. Further, his value/dollar needs to be exploited if we're gonna trade him. Any team acquiring him should pay fair value as his exceptional contract mitigates any lost value his injury history might incur.

To me there's 31 #1 d-men in the league.

I don't have Klef in there, so I hate to see the people that really only think there are 5 #1 d-men in the league really think about this.
- Lahey

No there are 20 some odd guys that are and a number that default to that ranking due to a lack of alternatives on their perspective teams...

Rather have Lucic. Backes will try play at some point
- Lahey

3 years left on a contract for a guy that we may be able to LTIR or 5 years left of Lucic and you pick Lucic? Agree to disagree, I guess.

Might be in cap hell next year because of it, but i think Yamato + Nurse + 1st could get E.Karlsson

A healthy Klefbom is a #1 defenseman. Period.

On the Oilers, yes.
Otherwise you're saying he = OEL, Doughty, Karlsson... I don't think he's bad, just not a #1 on most other teams.
- geta02it

All depends on your definition. At his best, Klefbom is a player who is pushes offense the right way against the toughest competition, effective with the puck in both ends and can eat up plenty of minutes.

The players you mentioned above are elite in those regards. I do not have Klefbom as high as any of those players but I don't question a healthy Klefbom is an effective top pairing player.

A healthy Klefbom is a #1 defenseman. Period.

On the Oilers, yes.
Otherwise you're saying he = OEL, Doughty, Karlsson... I don't think he's bad, just not a #1 on most other teams.
- geta02it

Not even close. Within every categorization, there are tiers of talent. McDavid is a 1C and so too is Jonathan Toews yet there's CLEARLY a distinction there. Pietrangelo isn't in the Doughty and Karlsson tier and yet is also a #1 Dman.

This having been said, my stance on Klefbom has changed the past year to where I don't believe he is a #1. He's an excellent complimentary top pairing guy, but doesn't drive goal-ratio results like he'd need to in order to receive that classification.

All depends on your definition. At his best, Klefbom is a player who is pushes offense the right way against the toughest competition, effective with the puck in both ends and can eat up plenty of minutes.

The players you mentioned above are elite in those regards. I do not have Klefbom as high as any of those players but I don't question a healthy Klefbom is an effective top pairing player.
- freelancer

True. But that goes to my response to Lahey, a lack of alternatives.
I'm not saying he's a bad player just not someone (even healthy) that makes or breaks games the way a ("#1") D-man can...
Is he better than Giordano in your opinion?

Not even close. Within every categorization, there are tiers of talent. McDavid is a 1C and so too is Jonathan Toews yet there's CLEARLY a distinction there. Pietrangelo isn't in the Doughty and Karlsson tier and yet is also a #1 Dman.

This having been said, my stance on Klefbom has changed the past year to where I don't believe he is a #1. He's an excellent complimentary top pairing guy, but doesn't drive goal-ratio results like he'd need to in order to receive that classification.
- MaximumBone

Those guys just come to mind but since you brought the comparison up... Pietriangelo and (IMO) Klef aren't even a comparable.

3 years left on a contract for a guy that we may be able to LTIR or 5 years left of Lucic and you pick Lucic? Agree to disagree, I guess.
- MaximumBone

(frank) that, disagree to diasgree

Might be in cap hell next year because of it, but i think Yamato + Nurse + 1st could get E.Karlsson
- Holy_Makinaw99

Nah that wouldn't be cap hell. Karlsson would walk at season end.

To me there's 31 #1 d-men in the league.

I don't have Klef in there, so I hate to see the people that really only think there are 5 #1 d-men in the league really think about this.
- Lahey

To me, there's a lot fewer than 31 #1 Dmen- at least proven ones. If I were list them I'd say: Hedman, Karlsson, Doughty / Klingberg, OEL, Lindolm, Jones / Keith, Pietrangelo, Subban, Josi, Giordano, Provorov and Suter.

I tentatively place Burns, Carlson and Byfuglien just outside of this spectrum based off their ability to drive offense but their defensive play is lacking. Hence why both have separate pairings taking on tough matchup duties (Vlasic/Braun, Orlov/Niskanen and Morrissey/Trouba).

Guys like Ekblad, Rielly, Werenski, Hamilton, Ellis and McAvoy are players I see close to within reach of ascending to these heights in the right situation.

Those guys just come to mind but since you brought the comparison up... Pietriangelo and (IMO) Klef aren't even a comparable.
- geta02it

As I stated in the second paragraph, I also agree with that statement. Klefbom isn't a #1 in his current state. What I'm gonna be very curious to follow is how Yawney's presence influences our D- Klefbom specifically- and how his absence from the Ducks influences their D- namely Lindholm. Those are two guys who I've always thought have near identical physical skillsets but Lindholm has a more settled mind for the game. This begs the question as to whether consistent positive coaching influence a player's awareness and consistency of defending enough to make a difference?

As I stated in the second paragraph, I also agree with that statement. Klefbom isn't a #1 in his current state. What I'm gonna be very curious to follow is how Yawney's presence influences our D- Klefbom specifically- and how his absence from the Ducks influences their D- namely Lindholm. Those are two guys who I've always thought have near identical physical skillsets but Lindholm has a more settled mind for the game. This begs the question as to whether consistent positive coaching influence a player's awareness and consistency of defending enough to make a difference?
- MaximumBone

And goes back to mine. You pair Klefbom with (insert "elite" defenseman here) and maybe that changes the equation. Healthy or not, on his own, he's just not that guy.
Well that would take Giordano out of the discussion as he's lacked any consistency from a coaching standpoint.
Some guys just have it and some need to work at it, constantly...

And goes back to mine. You pair Klefbom with (insert "elite" defenseman here) and maybe that changes the equation. Healthy or not, on his own, he's just not that guy.
Well that would take Giordano out of the discussion as he's lacked any consistency from a coaching standpoint.
Some guys just have it and some need to work at it, constantly...
- geta02it

Once they trade Nurse for Kronwall, all is good.

Once they trade Nurse for Kronwall, all is good.
- YzermanTheMan

Agreed.

Once they trade Nurse for Kronwall, all is good.
- YzermanTheMan

I thought we agreed upon Russell for Kronwall?

I thought we agreed upon Russell for Kronwall?
- EdmHockeyMan

That is just rude.

That is just rude.
- Feds91Stammer

Our Mantha and Larkin for your Mantha and Larkin

Our Mantha and Larkin for your Mantha and Larkin
- Little Ricky

Detroit has Givani Smith, all they need is AlfAlfa and Spanky and they have a wicked top line.

Detroit has Givani Smith, all they need is AlfAlfa and Spanky and they have a wicked top line.
- GhostofHA187

You mean African American versions and a white version of Stymie

McDavid legitimately could have 140 points if the Oilers swung a big deal for Panarin. Nurse, Bouchard, and Khaira for him if Panarin is willing to sign for 5x7 beforehand.
- fry

McLellan would never play them together. He only gives McDavid AHL wingers and centres

And goes back to mine. You pair Klefbom with (insert "elite" defenseman here) and maybe that changes the equation. Healthy or not, on his own, he's just not that guy.
Well that would take Giordano out of the discussion as he's lacked any consistency from a coaching standpoint.
Some guys just have it and some need to work at it, constantly...
- geta02it

Maybe I'm misinterpreting but you seem to think I'm not in agreement. I outright stated that I don't think he's a #1. Excuse me if I'm just restating something that you're already clear on and you're just restating your opinion.

As for the second part, I think some just have it and can adept easily and others require outside influence. I think it's likely linked to fluid intelligence, calm-headedness (low neuroticism) and adaptability.