Still, I think the defensemen in our system right now are in the position our forwards were prior to Eberle and Hall arriving – a lot of promise, but too few actual top line guys. As I have said, I would be happy with any of the top 5 players in this year’s draft, but I might at this point be most happy to see us select Larsson.

It’s obviously way too early to know that, but it’s a gut feeling. He brings a pretty well balanced game. He’s got a lot to learn, but I think he also has a good hockey IQ from what I’ve seen of him on the Oil and in College, as well as what I’ve been reading from the media/scouts/etc.

Plante is still a big question mark, but he’s got that potential to be a Jason Smith type, if he wants it bad enough.

Peckham has been PHENOMENAL this year. He still makes his share of mistakes, but he looks like a Regehr in the works. I might be getting too excited about these guys, but I think you might also be downplaying their abilities maybe a bit too just because we’re used to that mentality that we don’t want to set ourselves up for disappointment. Our blueline doesn’t look like it’s top 10 or anything, for the future, but there’s some good players in there too.

If we are talking about today, I definitely agree that it is quite weak though. But depending on how these guys all develop, we could have a pretty good blue line to go with our super-skilled forward group.

From the group you list, I concur that we can expect all of them to be decent (or better) NHL’ers now or in the near future, BUT it is not overall a good enough group in my eyes. There will be a time when we have to assess who is the most cost effective alternatives and move others to make room for a legitimate number 1 defenseman (that we sorely need) or at least a great #2 d-man. Whitney-Gilbert is an example of a great 2nd pair, but they fall short as the go-to pair. Ideally, Peckham is a #5-6 guy, while Petry is a #4 power play specialist. Where Plante and Smid fill in, who knows. In the meanwhile, Marincin should be knocking on the door in a few years, although I am not so sure Belle or Chorney will ever make the team permanently. I’d say Plante has the better chance of those three.

Stunningly, for a team that was based on grinders not long ago, we are desperately short on quality bottom 6 players. I am sad to see Jacques fail to come close to his potential, he has the tools but isn’t good enough of a craftsman to be valuable for us. And I agree about Stortini, he is taking steps back. MacIntyre I never considered an NHL player, altough I love his ‘story’ – mainly because he so clearly is not good enough, but still gets to play in the big league. There is a movie script in there for certain. Fraser…does not cut it. I’d rather see O’Marra around for more games, or Vande Velde for that matter.

Hilariously, Mr Massey over at CnB commented on Foster as being a ‘watchtower at 6’5″ that should be able to scan the ice easily, but can’t find a pass to save his life”. It’s a harmless deal for us at 2 years, but a giant slow Marc Andre Bergeron is worse than a speedy little Marc Andre Bergeron. Basically, we picked up Alexei Semenov…again. Better than Cory Cross?

Our power play desperately needs movement and initiative. It has been starved for a dynamic group for years. I don’t mind Hemmer on the half-boards, but hanging around there for 2 minutes creates nothing. Cut inside once in a while, move the puck faster, and for Darwin’s sake – bring the disk towards the crease whenever possible. That’s where Omark does quite well, and at times also Penner when he gets his frame moving in the right direction.

I think the tough thing with him is he’s had his share of injury issues now. Including a couple of X’s on the ol’ punch card (two concussions).

But I like the toughness he brings to the lineup. He’s not our best d-man. But I think if he can remain healthy for a couple of years, he’ll figure it out and it will all come together.

What I see for one day down the line…

Left D: Whitney, Peckham, Smid
Right D: Gilbert, Petry, Plante

This could change of course. I love Whitney, but I think we are accustomed to our top d-men being recycled out.. so I could see that happening again. Eventually we’ll have Marincin in the mix too, and maybe Belle might end up working out at this level. There’s also still time for Chorney to get things together (although I’m less optimistic about him finding his game than I am about Smid).

On the note of the PP: I hate to say it.. Hemsky is definitely our most skilled player and very good on the powerplay, but I think our powerplay is what it is because we’re used to Hemsky running it, and he plays that kind of game. Not knocking him though, so back off Steve-O

Agreed on Fraser, and sadly Jacques. Add in Stortini as well unless he starts playing better (Renney isn’t the only one that’s seen his play drop). Ditto for MacIntyre. Cogliano experiment should also end, I agree. Foster.. again.. agreed. He’s a very HIGH risk defenseman with very little reward. The offensive game just hasn’t been there, and I think he very well could be the worst d-man on the team when he doesn’t have the puck.