***Columbus Blue Jackets vs. LA Kings GDT 4/16/22 7:30pm on BSW***

[hokiecat]

Brown and AA definitely an improvement over vilardi and Byfield. Also, Iaffalo seemed to be a bit more focused and energetic last night. Lastly, Moverare in with Durzi was massive.. they belong in a 2nd-3rd pairing role and you 100% need someone to cover up for durzi’s defensive deficiencies, although I’m surprised that bjornfot/Durzi pair seemed to struggle a bit in previous outings, since bjornfot is somewhat conservative, but definitely a far superior skater to moverare. Either way, moverare has impressed me in his limited stints because he definitely seems to understand his own deficiencies and leans heavily on situational awareness and positional play. He also seems to be proficient at getting those quick blue line wrist shots through and onto net.

I've been consistently unimpressed by Toby this year. Aside from being 20 and a first round pick, I don't understand why he is given such a long leash when he is a weak link on the ice. You can't play Durtzi, offensively gifted and defensively an adventure, with Bjornfot, who is routinely bad at both ends of the ice.

 

[Pickle_Pucks]

I've been consistently unimpressed by Toby this year. Aside from being 20 and a first round pick, I don't understand why he is given such a long leash when he is a weak link on the ice. You can't play Durtzi, offensively gifted and defensively an adventure, with Bjornfot, who is routinely bad at both ends of the ice.

He's so tough to get a read on. On one hand the other Swede defenseman taken around him aren't exactly taking the league by storm. Broberg who was super hyped has really struggled in the big leagues. Soderstrom looks like a potential bust. Toby has held his own in a terribly tumultuous setting. Last year was an absolute ***** storm for the entire club and this year has been the same on the back end. He skates real well and has shown flashes when he decides to activate himself into the play. I could see him taking big steps as the club steadies itself and improves in general, but at the same time if there is a GM who really values a Vilardi + Toby + 1st package I won't shed any tears.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

I've been consistently unimpressed by Toby this year. Aside from being 20 and a first round pick, I don't understand why he is given such a long leash when he is a weak link on the ice. You can't play Durtzi, offensively gifted and defensively an adventure, with Bjornfot, who is routinely bad at both ends of the ice.

I see what you mean overall, but there are signs that he will be good imo. I think we're just a little spoiled atm with Durzi and Spence looking like they fit in right away (though yes Durzi can be scary at times in his own end). Bjornfoot is hopefully like most young defensemen and just needs time before he can be a good NHL player.

 

[VCRW]

I see what you mean overall, but there are signs that he will be good imo. I think we're just a little spoiled atm with Durzi and Spence looking like they fit in right away (though yes Durzi can be scary at times in his own end). Bjornfoot is hopefully like most young defensemen and just needs time before he can be a good NHL player.

Exactly. Bjornfot is a much needed left shot defenseman of the future. He is still quite young at 20/21. It’s unfortunate that the injury situation forced him into more than a 3rd pairing role where he could be sheltered in his development. His skating is excellent, his passing skills are better than average, and he is getting stronger.

 

[jammer06]

Exactly. Bjornfot is a much needed left shot defenseman of the future. He is still quite young at 20/21. It’s unfortunate that the injury situation forced him into more than a 3rd pairing role where he could be sheltered in his development. His skating is excellent, his passing skills are better than average, and he is getting stronger.

I'm on the spend from the right side train as well. Toby has more value growing in the club, and is hurt by the fact that we need more LD depth, not a LD for LD swap.

 

[KingJ]

Shoutout to Jordan Spence. I was afraid he was rushed, but the kid has been solid and gaining more and more confidence. You can tell the game is slowing down for him.

Durzi is the one struggling a bit but I think it has to do with the extended role, bad pairing with TB and trying to do too much.

 

[santiclaws]

He's so tough to get a read on. On one hand the other Swede defenseman taken around him aren't exactly taking the league by storm. Broberg who was super hyped has really struggled in the big leagues. Soderstrom looks like a potential bust. Toby has held his own in a terribly tumultuous setting. Last year was an absolute ***** storm for the entire club and this year has been the same on the back end. He skates real well and has shown flashes when he decides to activate himself into the play. I could see him taking big steps as the club steadies itself and improves in general, but at the same time if there is a GM who really values a Vilardi + Toby + 1st package I won't shed any tears.

Rob Scuderi didn't even get an NHL cup of coffee until the age of 25. Willie Mitchell wasn't a regular NHL player until the age of 24, having played 68 games in the NHL when he was 22-23. Bjornfot just turned 21 and has played about one and a quarter NHL seasons. Way too early to really know what he'll end up being, and he definitely has a fair bit of talent. I would not be surprised if he ended up being a solid top-4, maybe even top pairing defenseman on a Cup-contending team.

The Kings have a glut of talent on the right side, they should deal from a position in which they have strength. Right D are usually more valued anyway, it's really weird to have a team overloaded on that side. The Kings don't need to deal away one of the only talented youngsters they have on the left, they'd have to then replace him - they need to add, not subtract LD.