Joined: Aug. 2018
Posts: 6,310
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I don't think Liljegren ever makes it, and the clock is certainly ticking on Sandin as well, both are finishing their ELC without much of a cup of coffee in the NHL.
Overall the defense is just average and the team defense is poor. There will be tons of 4-5, 5-4 games this year, same as last year. I really like the Brodie signing, but overall the defense is average at best. Muzzin, Reilly, Brodie are a solid top 3.
Bogosian was pretty much washed up and out of the NHL before the Lightning made him look so good. Hes physical, which is needed, but is more of a remnant of the NHL of the 90s. Hes a 7th dman and should only get 25 games or so this year.
Dermott and Holl are solid, but will offer just average defense and below average offense. Ideally they would be a nice 3rd pairing, nothing spectacular, but getting 12-15 minutes a night.
Lehtonen after camp is obviously not viewed as well as Dermott. It could be that hes a more offensive option, (but then offense isn't the issue, defenders who defend are). But as I've said before, I think hes a Mevedev (a very similar Russian dman Philly brought in 7-8 yrs ago, who didn't look bad, but didn't look good either and lasted just one season).
Overall the defense is missing a solid minute eating and possibly offensively adept RD on their 2nd pairing. But their defense is magnified by the fact the forwards don't back check or play sound positional team defense.