It’s time to enjoy some of the best and worst defensemen from the 2018 free agent class. Defensemen often get measured in different ways than forwards do.
The annual summer of paying and overpaying players often has its share of winners and losers. Almost two months in, we take a look at those who have been studs and those who have been duds.
Let’s examine some defensemen of note for today.
Studs From The Defensemen
Calvin de Haan — Carolina Hurricanes
de Haan will not wow with offensive points but he plays the position well. His minutes in Carolina have been rationed to near 19 minutes a night. Lately, he has seen 20+ minutes in four of his last five starts. He played a sheltered role at first but that role has been increasing of late.
Overall, the defenseman has only tallied a goal and two assists. That doesn’t sound like much for a $4.55 million AAV. On the other hand, his possession metrics have been off the charts good along with the rest of Carolina (a touch above team average). The expectation lies that his peripherals (blocks, hits, etc.) will start rising. So far, they have begun to respond as the minutes have increased. Expect an even better second half as his responsibilities further increase.
Ian Cole — Colorado Avalanche
Cole has provided Colorado with a stability in their second pairing defense they have not seen in some time. While he only plays about 20 minutes a night, he has responded well to the system the Avalanche employs. He only has eight points in 22 games but again his ability to block shots (three a game) and play timely defense is worth its weight among free agents.
His metrics are about 2-2.5 percent above team relative and his even strength play has featured some bad luck. Goalies possess a .916 save percentage at even strength with Cole on the ice. He is on pace for over nearly 30 points. That would be a career high for him.
Cole signed a three-year deal to enjoy a middle pairing defenseman role with some upside. He has delivered everything asked of him and then some. It seems the reputation he gained in Pittsburgh was more of a bum rap. Steady defensemen have been hard to come by the past several summers in particular.
2018 Free Agent Studs And Duds — Left Wing
Duds From The Defensemen
Jack Johnson — Pittsburgh Penguins
Johnson knew it would not be easy going to Pittsburgh. Many pundits and fans expected the worst. The points are not so much a red flag (six in 21 games) but the missed defensive lapses have been a cause of concern. The Pittsburgh defenseman too many times has gone for hits leaving him out of position (69 so far). Results decidedly have been disastrous even in a sometimes sheltered role (playing 19 minutes a night).
Will Johnson continue to be picked on by other teams? The answer is undoubtedly yes. The pace of play often spikes in the other direction when he is on the ice. His metrics are nearly 4% below the Pittsburgh average. This player was signed to a five-year deal even with his history in Columbus. It dumbfounded many and will for the next several years. Johnson has shown one good year in the last four or five which should scare Pittsburgh plenty.
Brandon Manning — Chicago Blackhawks
Manning enjoyed a decent season last year in Philadelphia and that resulted in signing a two year deal with Chicago. Needless to say, the defenseman not adapting to a high-paced environment has hurt. The kids playing quite a bit does not help but Manning has that look of waving the white flag too often. His two points in 17 games given his more defensive role is not the end of the world. However, he finds himself out of position often and has even been healthy scratched a few times.
The result comes down to a player who now plays 14-15 minutes a night where he played more earlier in the year. Manning, like most of the Chicago defense, seems over his head too often. The -5% metrics to team average is not going to correct itself anytime soon either. Chicago probably could have spent their money elsewhere developing another young player honestly.
