Denis Question

Will he have a little bit better defense to work with this year, or is there anything to indicate he'll have a better year?

He's played in 105 minutes of preseason action, giving up two goals on fifty shots (that's a 96% save percentage for those scoring at home). At the two games I saw him in, he's already in top form in regards to positioning, rebounds, etc. He seems to want to tell Brathwaite that "Hey, this is my crease, you'll have to beat me to get to it." Can't really tell about how the top six will play in front of him, but having players like Marchart and Letowski actually backchecking will help him alot. Once the top six gels, hopefully, the shots against per game total will go toward the middle of the league instead of at the top. He'll lower his GAA and raise his save % this year.

Will he have a little bit better defense to work with this year, or is there anything to indicate he'll have a better year?

I think you might see Denis take a step back. He could have issues with not starting nearly every game. And he could get that Sophmore Starter Slump.