What Is The Most Underrated Defensive Core In The NHL.?
I had to double-take this year while perusing each team's defensive cores this year analytically. The one team that didn't hit my eye test this past season as well as it should have during my partaking of divorce-worthy levels of hockey was? The Columbus Blue Jackets. Yes sir.
Zack Werenski
The Norris winner had one of his best defensive season last year (Still think Seider should have one) but for pure offensive impact I would certainly not poo poo the decision to give him one this past year. Elite he is and that is obvious. Zach played with almost every Dman on the team as well and stayed consistent regardless of who he was with
Ivan Provorov
This surprised the hell out of me honestly. Provorov has never has a positive defensive season in his career. Not even close. I mean this is not spectacular, but it far exceeds anything he has ever accomplished and if the Jackets could get him more in the second pair slot he could very well be playing at an elite 2 D level.
Damon Severson
If you have read my previous article on my "All Pearlo team" You will know that this one does not come to surprise to me. Severson has been underrated for a log time now and last year he probably had his best season, Damon has been a great play driver for years now and above average defensively. Last year he brought it to another level though and quietly played top end shut down hockey while having a huge positive affect on all of his line mates. Werenski got a lot of help on his way to his Norris playing with Severson more minutes than any other D partner.
Denton Mateychuk
i have been championing Denton since he was drafted. He has an absolute bomb for a shot and his offensive skills have always shown to be trending towards the elite side so I am not completely surprised by his rise but honestly did not see his offensive play control hitting this lever quite this quick. for a 22 year old his defensive awareness in all three zones his very good and I imagine will remain so or even more likely blossom more. He will likely get more of a look against elite competition this year from coach Bowness and it appears he will be willing to take it and run. This top 4 all of a sudden is something to be reconned with and should be considered up there with some of the best in the NHL.
The depth gets a little shallow unfortunately, but Dante Fabbro is a very serviceable 3D who does not hurt you at all for sure. Christianson finally got his feet wet in the NHL last year but honestly struggled quite a bit and Gudbranson whom they resigned this year at a low AV can provide some spot work at this stage but is nothing to write home about at this stage of his career. Really never was.
With all that being said though defense shouldn't be a problem with the Jackets should it? Greaves had a 17.5 goals saves above expected and yes, Merzlikins was not great as a backup, but what gives with Columbus being only 17th in the league in goals against? I took it upon myself to rewatch some Columbus games from last year and that combined with other analytics gave me an interesting answer as well as maybe some intel on why Werenski is wishy washy on resigning at the end of this contract. I will tell you about in my next article. Untill then I hope you are all enjoying your summer and thanks for reading.
