Quoting: Heinzey
Totally understand and fair point. I just think we shouldn't fill out our defense with no room for those guys to get called up and start having some exposure. Helleson especially has spent long enough in San Diego.
Helleson has only been in the AHL for a season, and the first half was rough for him, he was having a difficult time adjusting to the pace of play and wasn't taking that next step. He is still waivers eligible for 2 or 3 more seasons as well, so I think one more year in the AHL, gets a couple of NHL games as the RHD injury call up is the best path forward for his development. Plus, as a RHD, he will be playing with one of his future line mates in Zellweger/LaCombe/Mintyukov down in San Diego.
My personal take on our defense situation is to sign Dumba to a 5x5 for 1RD, get a LHD from a cap strapped team for a year or two left on their deal (Forbort or Reilly from Boston come to mind) for 2LD, and bring Shattenkirk back for 1-2 season for 3RD. Keep Fowler, Drysdale, and Benoit as the full timers, and I don't really care who is the normal 7th man, maybe its White, maybe its Vaakainen, maybe its Juolevi.
1RD: Other than Helleson, we have no RHD even close to ready, we need a top 4 RHD for 3-5 years, my pick is Dumba, great in the locker room, very much a Verbeek style player, I frankly don't care that he doesn't score anymore, his defensive game has gotten better every year, and he will throw the big hit or throw down for his team mates. Like the tiny ball of hate, win or loose, he will get a piece of you when you play against him.
2LD: Forbort/Reilly/Whoever for Drysdale also needs to be at minimum complementary to offensive D, or just an outright defense first player. Teams will still be cap strapped the next couple of seasons, there will be decent defensemen available for loose change from teams that need to clear out cap. Defense first LHD are plentiful enough in the league.
3RD: We have a lot of LD rookies who will be getting sheltered minutes in the next season or two, Shattenkirk is a good enough all around D for 3rd pairing and rookie watch duty. I also believe Shatty and Benoit are adequate as a 3rd pairing, and Benoit could use some more tutelage under someone not Klingberg to round out his game. The kids will get plenty of call ups over the next season or two, and having a competent chaperone for them on 3rd pairing will be important for their development. He is also great in the locker room, the team loves him.