What's up with the D-Corps?

by Diomedes7 on Jun 27, 2011 11:01 PM EDT

What are expectations for the Predators' D-Corps next season?

Let's assume for the sake of this post (and my sanity) that Shea Weber gets re-signed.
Already signed are: 1) Ryan Suter, 2) Cody Franson, 3) Kevin Klein, 4) Francis Bouillon, 5) Jonathan Blum, and 6) Ryan Ellis. Shane O'Brien is an UFA.

Will Ellis make the team out of camp? Will O'Brien get re-signed? What is the status of Bouillon's health and what can be expected from him in 2011-2012?

What will the D pairings look like?
Who will play the PP units?
Who will play the PK units?

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We’re plaining on confusing the opposition by playing 12 Dmen and just 6 forwards, launching the dreaded 3 man D rush when they least expect it!

I would imagine Suter/Weber and Blum, Franson, Klein and Cube in some various pairings (if Cube is healthy) and maybe Laakso as the #7 guy. Ellis will likely start out in Milwaukee. In some odd event that we actually trade a Dman for some offense, maybe O’Brien gets brought back. Unlikely though.

by Grizzledbear on Jun 27, 2011 11:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yes, with the feared 2-3 forecheck that involves two forwards in the zone and the 3 defensemen all sitting at or behind the blue line.

Regarding going 0-4 in the NHL Awards, I quote the great Hornqvist: "S**t's gonna happen."

by DonBorvio on Jun 27, 2011 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s when the D and O switch positions that the opposition goes into panic and watches helplessly as the 3 Dmen flood the offensive zone! :D

I should stop, I may be giving the higher ups some ideas here. :o

by Grizzledbear on Jun 28, 2011 12:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I actually don’t have a problem with this if it’s Ellis as the 3rd D-man :P

Regarding going 0-4 in the NHL Awards, I quote the great Hornqvist: "S**t's gonna happen."

by DonBorvio on Jun 28, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Don't forget about Josi

He’s probably going to start pushing really hard to make the big boys squad.

I am curious about what will happen to O’Brien. I’m not sure how hard he would be to replace or even if the team will need a replacement.

Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.

by 3DLink on Jun 28, 2011 12:07 AM EDT reply actions

The thing with SOB is, we really don’t have that type of Dman in our system and his physical play is the reason we traded for him in the first place. It’s a quandry in that we have so many Dmen ready or almost ready to push for a spot in the lineup, but they all tend to bring the same finesse type game to the table, not SOB type Dmen. If Cube retired it would make bringing SOB back a good decision, but I’m not sure that will happen.

by Grizzledbear on Jun 28, 2011 12:30 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I’d much rather have SOB over Bouillon if given the choice. I like having some grit even if it does lead to some untimely penalties.

I wonder if guys like Ian White or Steve Montador could take over O’Brien’s role. That just comes down to contract negotiations. Montador’s current contract is about the same as O’Brien’s and White’s is just shy of 3 million, more than Poile may want to pay. Also more than White may be worth. I didn’t see him play much this season.

Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.

by 3DLink on Jun 28, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

You do realize...

That at one point last year Bouillon lead the league in hits by a Dman, so I wouldn’t question Bouillon’s grit, plus like you said, Bouillon rarely takes dumb penalties.

by HardCorePredFan316 on Jun 28, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

it boils down to cube’s status due to health.

by predwheels on Jun 28, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

He lead the league in hits but he’s also still dealing with concussion symptoms and he’s not on any announced timetable. I have trouble picking him over SOB.

Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.

by 3DLink on Jun 28, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

We need to trade some defenseman for solid forwards.

by preds4ever on Jun 28, 2011 1:20 AM EDT reply actions

From your keyboard to Poile’s ears!

by Grizzledbear on Jun 28, 2011 1:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

who would net the greatest return with the least amount of loss to the corps?

by Diomedes7 on Jun 28, 2011 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, if we use Sulzer as a basis for a scale…
Teemu Laakso would see a return of a conditional 6th round draft pick for 2013, that condition being that he is one that saves mankind from the coming apocalypse.
C-O Roussel would net us Rick DiPietro’s groin muscles.
Kevin Klein would net us the unfettered ire of whatever team we traded him too.
Ryan Ellis could be exchanged for a handful of magic beans and a goose with some sort of digestive disease.

On a more serious note. It seems that offensive defensive men are being bandied about in a lot of trades at the moment. It is too early to determine if it is an anomaly or a trend, but in the case of the latter the Preds would have some excellent negotiating power. Ellis and Franson would both be seen as blue chip talent with a high ceiling for potential. A team that is more offensively inclines could really let those types of players succeed playing their style. That said, it is best to let a player marinade in the Nashville system for a little while so that absorb some of those essential defensive juices.

Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.

by 3DLink on Jun 28, 2011 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions

IMO, Ellis would have the highest trade value, coupled with another player/prospect/pick. Problem is, does a team that has a player you may like want what you are offering in return. The “we can always trade from our strength to get what we need” often runs into this problem. A team that may want a kid like Ellis may not have what you want in return for him.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, our drafting strategy has to change or this always being in need of skilled forwards will just continue on.

by Grizzledbear on Jun 28, 2011 11:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

in the past couple years the Penguins have gotten some nice returns on two PMDs:

EX 1
          Trading Ryan Whitney, D to ANA
                           for
          Chris Kunitz, LW
          Eric Tangradi, LW

EX 2
         Trading Alex Goligoski, D to DAL
                         for
         James Neal, LW
         (and Niskanen)

by Diomedes7 on Jun 28, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Ellis has more offensive potential

than almost everyone else in pipeline. He could be a game changer if he ends up as good on the PP as some think he might be.

Not that we don’t need a solid point producing forward but points from the blueline count too.

I think Franson is the only D you might see a decent return for in a trade.

Thelma & Louise? No way! That's disrespectful (to Thelma and Louise).

by Marcus Newman on Jun 28, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t think Franson will bring as a good as a return as Ellis will. Of course, you don’t move Ellis for a 2nd tier forward, but in the right deal I would certainly include him in it (like for that guy in NJ!). :)

by Grizzledbear on Jun 28, 2011 6:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I’m very impressed with Blum. My top 6, in order but not necessarily pairs, are Weber, Suter, Franson, Blum and Klein. Tweaks, of course, for whether we’re trying to shut down or have offense.

On the PP, I’ll go with pairings of Weber-Franson, Suter-Klein. On the PK, I’ll take Weber-Klein, Suter-Blum (or SOB, if he’s back)

I love Bouillion as a player, but I don’t feel like there’s a good place for him here. He’s not a top 4, and I’d rather have Blum/Josi than him in 5-6. I like SOB… I just wish there was a way to put Frankie B’s heart in SOB’s body.

I really want to see some of Josi this year. Maybe pair him up with Blum as the third D line, and use Weber/Franson/Suter/Klein as the core. I’d like to get a look at Ellis, too. By the end of 2011-12, I could easily see Weber-Franson, Suter/Blum, Ellis/Josi as your top 6. Just talkin’ out loud.

by Leeyore on Jun 28, 2011 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

If I could count to 6...

…I would have included “a healthy Bouillion, for the moment” as my sixth.

by Leeyore on Jun 28, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m very impressed with Blum.

me too
surprised you don’t have him on the PP

by Diomedes7 on Jun 28, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

power play

blum-weber
suter-franson

2012-13 after we lose suter to free agency.
ellis-weber
blum-franson

by predwheels on Jun 28, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

You know… even I’m looking at my own PP comment sideways now. Klein’s no puck handler, and he’s no real point threat. LOL In any event, if he (Blum) is not on the PP at the start of the season, I think he will get there and stay there… and quickly.

by Leeyore on Jun 28, 2011 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Franson is 5-6 on the pk this past season. klein was 1-2. i do believe we need D out of defenseman.

by predwheels on Jun 28, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Weber & Suter on 1st no doubt and split on PK and PP

2nd would be Blum & Franson
3rd Klein & Cube or Ellis/Josi whoever shows up at training camp better and if Cube is in good health
Franson & Blum will fill out PP maybe a bit of Ellis/Josi on previous statement
Cube & Klein on PK with Blum mixed in.
7th will probably be Laakso depending on a trade.

by benginat0r on Jul 1, 2011 4:11 AM EDT reply actions