Justin Holl in the top 4 is a huge win for the atlantic division

He’s big and can handle 20 minutes.

Well actually he can't otherwise the leafs and their fans wouldn't be so hot to get rid of him

What do they know? Look at his stats and bio.

Yeah I checked those out too...

What little defensive value he adds, he gives it all back by being well below average offensively. Yes, I'm aware they need to be better in their own end, but its not worth it if it comes at the cost of their offense as well. That's essentially how toronto went from a high scoring team with a few problems to a slow af dinosaur that won exactly two extra playoff game than they did before all their crazy moves.

We don’t need offense, that’s what Power is for.

bro did you even read what i said lmao. What good is having power create if the puck dies on his partners stick? And fwiw, Holl was terrible in the playoffs too. terrible shot quality against numbers, on the ice for 10 goals against at even strength and he played fewer minutes than jokiharju so you give him an increase here at 31 going on 32, its likely not going to work out.

Well, I guess we roll with Joki and Lybush again?

or they can go after a two way defender and spend some actual $ or assets? Thats what the next step should be. None of this marginal stuff disguised as improvement that doesnt move the needle. They need a big move on the blue line. Especially if samuelsson can't hack it (50/50, he was bad, but he was also playing with a broken hand so hard to tell )

I’m down with moving an asset for a top 4 RD. Also, I don’t do anylitcs, I’m more the eye test type.

That's fine but you should know the Sabres are like knee deep in the analytics. Their moves will most likely reflect that, the way their drafting has.

Besides, analytics are just numbers reflecting whats happening in the game. They are the eye test, but at a larger quantity and more reliable rate.

But there’s like no RD that are young, Tanev, Gudas.. Severson, yeah nice but everyone is going after him and he’s going to cost. I don’t know why we haven’t been drafting a RD to begin with, we have enough forwards.

They go with best player available. Tampa's drafting at one point was super forward heavy too. RD doesnt necessarily have to be young, just has to add value.

Perhaps Holl will struggling in Granato system. Adams wanted to trade for Chychrun and he has already said that it is not fundamental for him to get a left-handed or right-handed defenseman. This opens up a bit more options in UFA.

Here are my options that I like:

Mayfield

Clifton

Severson

Dumba (His offensive game has gotten worse, but his defensive game has gotten better, though Buffalo analysts will have to figure that out)

Graves (LD)

Gavrikov (LD)

Soucy (LD/RD)

Schenn (not sure if he can consistently play top 4 minutes, but he is an experienced and proven physical D)

Of that group, I like Mayfield, I'm old school. I like left/right pairs.