ERIK GUDBRANSON - Defenseman - 27 - $4MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2021-2022
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
Erik Gudbranson is the perfect example of the type of defenseman that is slowly getting phased out of the NHL game. Gudbranson has great size, he can play a physical game, and he has a hard shot. Traditionally, defensemen with his profile are staunch penalty killers and "minute munchers," capable of "eating" top-4 minutes with ease. Gudbranson cannot do that. Gudbranson's elite size allows him to play a physical game and win board battles, but he lacks the puck skills to be an impact defender in transition and struggles to make the most of the puck on his stick once he wins that board battle. Similarly, Gudbranson's size allows him to tie opponents up in front of the net and clear the crease, but his lack of foot speed causes him to sometimes get beat by faster, smaller forwards. Getting beaten on the rush causes Gudbranson to give up more high quality chances than average, which nullifies any value his size might have in the slot. I still think there is a place for Gudbranson, though, on a bottom pairing, sheltered to play only against physical opponents and with the specific role of being along the boards, winning battles for pucks for a more mobile partner. That would make him a physical, limited seventh defenseman, and that's exactly what I think he is at this point in his career.
Erik Gudbranson is the perfect example of the type of defenseman that is slowly getting phased out of the NHL game. Gudbranson has great size, he can play a physical game, and he has a hard shot. Traditionally, defensemen with his profile are staunch penalty killers and "minute munchers," capable of "eating" top-4 minutes with ease. Gudbranson cannot do that. Gudbranson's elite size allows him to play a physical game and win board battles, but he lacks the puck skills to be an impact defender in transition and struggles to make the most of the puck on his stick once he wins that board battle. Similarly, Gudbranson's size allows him to tie opponents up in front of the net and clear the crease, but his lack of foot speed causes him to sometimes get beat by faster, smaller forwards. Getting beaten on the rush causes Gudbranson to give up more high quality chances than average, which nullifies any value his size might have in the slot. I still think there is a place for Gudbranson, though, on a bottom pairing, sheltered to play only against physical opponents and with the specific role of being along the boards, winning battles for pucks for a more mobile partner. That would make him a physical, limited seventh defenseman, and that's exactly what I think he is at this point in his career.
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