And here I thought this was going to be a post about the Lightning recalling Fredrik Claesson!!.. 😃

FINALLY

I don't think Brannstrom is the issue, and I don't understand how DJ can't solve this lmfao. He doesn't have a solid defence partner to play with. Holden and Del Zotto are hot garbage, and Mete is good but too offensively minded to be playing with a rookie.

Brannstrom will most likely be paired with Zub while Chabot is stuck with Zaitsev.


As for Mete, he'll be rewarded with a demotion or a Josh Brown for a D partner lol.

Holden is far from garbage imo. He's a more than capable as a stay at home guy, he's just not able to be that AND a babysitter for Zaitsev/Brown AND be the guy breaking the puck up ice. If they let him play with someone like Brannstrom or Mete who ARE good puck movers who can lead the break out, it let's Holden simplify his game down to focus on supporting them defensively. Now obviously having him in the top 4 is still far from ideal, but right now he's the best option they have. In a perfect world he plays 3rd pair with Mete, they bring in a 2nd pair RD to play with Brannstrom, and they fire 22 and 3 into the stratosphere.

Apparently Holden is in COVID protocol, which is why he's been called up. Which means that right side is still gonna be floundering. Hopefully Brannstrom hits the ground running with Zub, and by the time Holden is back taking Brannstrom out is a non option.

He's actually such a great dude. Criminal that the Sens got lit up by the Bolts and Claesson didn't even get to score

Pretty much this. Holden has been fine as a shut down guy, but he has too many roles to fill since his partners are crap. JBrown, Zaitsev, and Mete just aren't the right fit for this team unless they have a partner who can carry them hard and even then, they're all drags on em. Brannstrom, especially if on the RD, is just what this team needs.