Quoting: TM11
Mackenzie Weeger is 4th on Florida in points this year and HAS 0 PP Points, Chychrun is tied with 3 D for 2 points on his team, and Essa Lindell has 1 point. these are all good D that are having slow starts point wise but playing well. Im not gonna have you tell me Nick Jensen, Ferhevary, or TVR (arguably) are playing better than him.
Quoting: grobkenwood
2 points in 12 games is far from amazing. Especially with powerplay time and 64% offensive zone starts.
Per the Athletic:
Erik Gudbranson: -0.8 GSVA, Replacement level Player
vs
Martin Fehervary: 0.1 GSVA, Third Pairing Player
TVR + Schultz: both 0.6 GSVA, 2nd Pairing Player
Jensen: 1.2 GSVA, Top Pairing player
Orlov: 1.5 GSVA, Top pairing player
Carlson: 2.9 GSVA, Star Player
In addition to Jensen's stats, Money Puck also ranks Orlov-Jensen as one of the best D pairs in the league.
I don't use advanced stats often as I don't think they tell the whole story, but this is the best way to get my point across. Gudbranson is bad, I've watched Calgary games and I've been far from impressed, and the Capitals defense is better without him. Schultz, Fehervary, TVR, Jensen, Carlson, and Orlov are all far better than Gudbranson, and I certainly wouldn't trade Sprong, let alone Sprong and Schultz for him.