I’d do it today. I’m probably the only one though. You’ll probably hear some screaming.

I’d even expand it. Add Heinen take a mid level prospect or 2 back.

This is a good one though.

how is a guy who doesn't play top 4 minutes a top 4 dman?

Don’t see the bruins moving Grez with the uncertainty of Chara’s future and resigning krug on the LD side.

He would be top 4 on most teams especially Winnipeg

oh cool, we can just pretend?

There are infinite examples of players being good for a role and then failing when forced into a bigger role elsewhere.

He plays behind Chara who plays 1st PK and Krug who Plays 1st PP. He’s also not sheltered from matchups he plays against top lines. Not pretending these are just facts please tell me who he should play over in the bruins top 4 of Chara Krug Mcavoy and Carlo? I’ll wait

Urho and Lauzon. Can’t block them forever. Even if they trade Grizz, Krug walks, Chara retires they still have those 2 Moore and likely sign a vet. Not really an issue.

just because there are better players in front of him, doesnt mean he is guaranteed to be good enough to do it himself.

Don’t have to pretend. His Corsi rating puts him in the top 30 LD. It’s better than any D man on Buffalo not named Dahlin.

i think Chara retires next year and we resign krug and Grez. Vaak slots in on left side.

Krug-Carlo
Vaak- Mcavoy
Grez- Lauzon
At least i hope this is what the D looks like

Unfortunately you are prob right. Then they lose Grizz in the expansion draft at years end.

I’d rather move him for a young RW, play Lauzon on his natural side with Clifton as his pair on RD.

is that supposed to hurt my feelings?

But, hes not a top 4 defenseman. He plays 18 minutes a night. Its ok to just be a good player, don't have to make things up.

You are acting like this is some unproven rookie. Its his 3rd season playing solid minutes and producing on the backend.

:: squints :: still on the third pair NEXT year? after being told he is only there because of chara? hmmm.

You are acting like being a third pairing defensemen is the same thing as being in the top 2 pairings. I'm not the one who called him something hes not.

Thats also another thing, if we trade Grez who gets left unprotected in the expansion draft. Saying we resign krug it’ll him carlo and McAvoy protected, someone is getting left out.

No, it’s to show how you much you are undervaluing him. Just because he’s blocked does not diminish what he is. He’s played 1st pairing minutes at times paired with Mac. Malkin is not a #2 center, played that role his entire career. He’s a #3/4 guy stuck in #5 role due to depth.

I'm not undervaluing him. He was called a top 4 defensemen. He does not play top 4 minutes. Therefore, he is not a top 4 defensemen. Its impenetrable logic.

malkin plays the 2nd most minutes on his team out of 12 forwards along with crosby. he doesnt play the 5th most of 6 minutes like your guy.

Ok, then Malkin and Draisaitl are not 1st line guys by that logic. But talent wise...they are.

If they re-sign Krug you can bet it will be Mac/Carlo/Krug protected. Krug would like get an NMC to make sure of that. The rest will be exposed. If Krug walks they will have to choose between Grizz and Lauzon as the 3rd guy.

The trade is really bad for the bruins, but one thing I thought was funny: you says that grzelcyk is a top four that can play both sides, and then sign him to a 3 year 2.5 million dollar contract? That’s a laugh.

They cant keep everyone on the blue line and if krug will sign that contract then grz iz the odd man out. Seattle will take him and hea gone for nothing. I think they move him but for draft picks not a players though.

It is very common, in fact, it’s really the only way these terms are used, to use terms like, “first line center,” or, “top four d,” to indicate their standing in the league, not with their team. Stamkos has spent much of his time this year on the second line. Is he not a first line player? Of course he is. Parayko is a top pairing d man in this league that typically plays on the second pair. Honestly, this is the first time I’ve encountered the argument.

I see where you’re coming from, but it just isn’t how the terminology is used.

Roslovic doesn’t play top 6 forward minutes but I assume wpg fans consider him a top 6 fwd right now, no? Both players have the potential to play elevated roles with success than the roles they’ve been given to start their career.