Joined: Jun. 2020
Posts: 9,162
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Skjei isnt bad. Rangers' defensive scheme is pretty bad and it made his numbers look worse.
Canes system is better for him. He has a positive xGF/xGA ratio, something he hasnt had in the previous 3 seasons. HD chances for are in the positive, HD goals ratio also above 50%. All of that with him playing on the 2nd pair that gets the majority of the heavy defensive minutes on the team. His O zone starts / FOs are 43 and 45%, respectively, some of the lowest on the team.
Do I wish Skjei would be a little more physical some times or be more consistent with his offense, sure. He is making good sticks that break up offense in the defensive end on a regular basis and skates really well for a big guy. He can carry the puck out of the zone when he feels he has the chance. We can see the dip in the defense with his absence right now.
I get that Skjei isnt a xGF darling or putting the same offense that got him his contract but he is hardly a bad defender. He is about a million overpaid which lowers his value in the flat cap but, still a very solid 2nd pair defender.
Foegele stays over adding Kulak. We could get a 3rd pair LHD pretty easy or go with Sellgren, Honka, or Keane. Unless Hakanpaa doesnt like it here, he probably stays as well. I dont think Debrusk is that guy for us. We could let Seattle take Skjei and then keep Foegele for less cap hit. I dont see the benefit in the Canes making that deal or really any of them.
Gardiner is the guy we need to move. He cant play against top lines. We have the offensive defender to play the heavy offensive leaning minutes in Hamilton. We need a solid minute eater who can handle the defensive zone like Skjei with Pesce.