Quoting: Wqrrior
I agree. I'm not a diehard canes fan so hopefully my evaluation matches what they think.
I noticed you said CAR's choice between Dumba and Brodin.... you value them the same? I have Dumba far more valuable than Brodin... term, stick hand and player quality all points to Dumba, no?
Right now, I'd say Brodin has more value. Here's a couple quotes on him from The Athletic writers:
"Evolving Hockey has [Brodin's] even-strength defense rated as second-best in the league.
Brodin’s lack of numbers has hurt his trade value in the past. But as analytics are becoming more advanced — and teams are embracing them more and more — Brodin’s play is becoming easier and easier to quantify. And most signs point to Brodin being a top-pairing defenseman in the NHL. In three of the past four seasons, Brodin has been a top-30 defenseman in Wins Above Replacement (19th this season, ninth in 2017-18, 29th in 2016-17). Cumulatively, he’s 12th among all defensemen in that span with 6.9 total WAR. It’s impossible to dismiss him because of his low scoring — the data is there, and it shows that Brodin is as valuable as they come. And the smartest front offices know it."
"Brodin might be one of the game’s best defensive defenders, severely limiting chances and goals against whenever he’s on the ice. He’s a big part of the Wild’s identity in that regard and is having an excellent year with arguably the best defensive impact (a combination of expected goals against and goals against). It’s been such a strong year that my model projects him to have the largest impact defensively going forward of any player. Brodin doesn’t have much to offer offensively, but he would be a terrific addition for a team looking up to shore things up in that department if the Wild decide to move him. Given his value, I’m not sure they should unless the offer knocks their socks off."
Brodin is really unbelievably good in his own zone. He isn't going to put up huge point totals, but he's amazing at either carrying the puck out of the defensive zone or making a great pass to a forward that can. That's how he creates offense and it usually doesn't show up on the score sheet. He also is one of the most fluid skaters I have ever seen. He isn't insanely fast necessarily, but his edge work and fluidity is up there with the best in the league. He isn't flashy, but he's a damn good defenseman.
Dumba is the flashier player that has much more upside offensively, but he sometimes goes for the flashy play and it costs his team (although he's been a lot better about not doing that the past couple years). I look at him as a ceiling with somebody like Brent Burns, but his injury has set him back a bit it seems. Like Brodin, he's a pretty great skater as well, but not quite up to Brodin's level.
I guess the value kind of depends actually. Dumba has more risk but he'll get you goals in big moments and he's more of a first unit PP guy and he does have the longer contract that is reasonably priced. Brodin is more the PK specialist that is a wizard in his own zone and excels in the transition game.