Ranking The Atlantic Division Defensive Corps
On Wednesday, I took a stab at ranking the goalies in the Atlantic Division, so today I turn my attention to the blueliners. This is a little tougher, because defensemen come in many forms. You have you all-around guys, your shut-down guys, and then the offensive guys. That last category is the one that gets the most attention, because they put up the points, which is the most quantifiable stat.
Feb 28, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) talks with defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
So, since it is difficult to compare apples to oranges, what I decided to was take the top 4 projected blueliners from each team (in my opinion) and ranked them as a group against the other teams’ top 4.
8. FLORIDA PANTHERS
Apr 11, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Florida Panthers defense Brian Campbell (51) skates with the puck during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Campbell is kind of on an island of his own, as the rest of the unit is old (Ed Jovanovski) or very young (Erik Gudbranson and Dmitry Kulikov). This unit is going to grow toghether in the future, but right now, like the goaltending, the blue line is in the lower level.
7. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Apr 14, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Lightning 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
As Victor Hedman moves toward his prime, the is surrounded by aging or frail (or both) bodies. Matt Carle is solid, though overpaid, and the Lightning have to be waiting for the day that Keith Aulie steps up to fill in for Sami Salo and Eric Brewer. Another group with potential on the horizon but someone needs to step up and take charge.
6. BUFFALO SABRES
Apr 26, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff (10) during the game against the New York Islanders at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Christian Erhoff is finally making a respectable salary, after being grossly overpaid for the first two years of his contract. Tyler Myers is due for a rebound season, but until there is proof of that happening, the Sabres will muddle along. They do have a cupboard full of good prospects so in 2 or 3 years this will be a different story, but for now the likes of Jamie McBain and the re-tread Henrik Tallinder will have to make do.
5. DETROIT RED WINGS
May 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) moves the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Niklas Kronwall has tried his best to fill a big void left by Nicklas Lidstrom, but the supporting cast simply isn’t there yet. If Danny DeKeyser comes as advertised he will help bolster the blue line, but he is still a raw rookie learning the pro-style game. Kyle Quincey and Jonathan Ericsson aren’t going to put fear in anyone.
4. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
May 13, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) looks to make a pass during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Like him or not, Dion Phaneuf is still a high quality defenseman in the NHL, if not as dominant as many expected him to be. Cody Franson (when he gets signed) needs to continue on with what was a career season for him, and should be able to do that. Maybe this will be the year the Leafs find the right way to deploy Jake Gardiner, and he should be a spark for the Leafs. Carl Gunnarson is solid if not spectacular, and is a steadying influence on the blue line for the Blue Team.
3. OTTAWA SENATORS
May 22, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman
Erik Karlsson(65) controls the puck in the third period in game four of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Place. The Penguins defeated the Senators by a score of 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Karlsson will battle to reclaim the Norris Trophy after his injury suffered in 2013. His combination with Marc Methot is one of the best all-around units in the league. Jared Cowen will have something to prove when he signs his contract, whether he “wins’ or “loses” the staredown with Murray. Patrick Wiercioch will be looked at to keep his trajectory going that he established last season and become a more integral part of the corps.
2. MONTREAL CANADIENS
May 2, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K.Subban (76) skates with the puck against Ottawa Senators during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
P.K. Subban is coming off a tremendous Norris Trophy season, and he deserved it, but will have to be better this season to hang onto it. Andrei Markov is getting up there and has to play less of a role because he is deferring to Subban, and so much of his production is on the power play these days. Given his history, he is also due for an injury sometime soon. After that top duo, there is quite a drop off to Josh Gorges and either Alexei Emelin (when healthy), Raphael Diaz or Jarred Tinordi. How (and if) Tinordi fits into the top two pairs this season could make the Habs a much more fearsome foursome.
1. BOSTON BRUINS
Jun 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman
Zdeno Chara(33) during the second period in game four of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
While he might not be the best defenseman in the division, Zdeno Chara is still the most fearsome in his all-around game. His offensive production dropped off last season, but he is still a force. He is complemented well by Dennis Seidenberg, and Johnny Boychuk made great strides last season, especially in the playoffs. The wild card is Dougie Hamilton, who got his feet wet last season to mixed reviews, and with the departure of some veterans, will need to step up and seize the opportunity presented to him.
No blueline group in the Atlantic Division is without its questions, and no team has insurmountable depth. The top 3 clubs of Boston, Montreal and Ottawa have an edge over the rest, but health and contract agreements will play a big role in keeping them there throughout the season.
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