Like it. Our team is looking more and more like an NHL team from a roster perspective. The D has no real game changers but hopefully with Dunn, Soucy and Schultz we have puck movers on every pairing.
I sincerely hope Hakstol spent the off-season working on defensive structure for the team. With all the moves Francis has made this off-season, Hakstol has to show that he can ice a better team with the roster improvements. If not, it is going to be his job on the line.
I can’t imagine that Francis puts up with anything resembling a decline in success. Even then, I’d imagine he expects the team to be at least 25% better or Hak is gone. This is a much better team than the one they iced on Oct 12, 2021, despite a slight reduction in defense.
I'm guessing nobody here watched him at all last season.Like I've said, we probably have to sign another defenseman.
Should be a solid 3rd pairing guy for us.
I'm guessing nobody here watched him at all last season.
He didn't make the roster to start the season because he looked like absolute crap in preseason, cleared waivers and got sent down to Hershey. Played 24 regular season games because the Caps were desperate for warm bodies on defense, remember they picked up ChoLOL on waivers.
He looked good as Carlson's stay at home partner for a couple of seasons, but he's had 3 leg injuries since then:
- Torn Hamstring
- Torn Achille's
- Sprained MCL
He's a suitable 7th D because he has NHL experience, but should not be a regular player.
So now the Kraken picked up 2 defensemen that the Caps kicked to the curb, and 4 exCaps total (Bura and Gruby).
Yeah, it's depth, but not a legit 3rd pair D. He'll clear waivers.That's fine too at $750K given that you can burry the fulll cap hit in the minors.
Right now, unless there's a trade for another RHD, I think Borgen's playing on the 3rd pairing(with Soucy) and Kempny might be the 7th guy, if it's not Fleury or Evans.