Bik Nizar

kind of visualize more off-ramps for some of these guys, that environment needs to improve.

And I think that's the hope that moving forward is, hey, that structure comes back and you see how these players can perform with functional NHL-level defensive competency.

But the bar is so much lower for Marcus Pedersen to cross as far as his output than it is for Elias Pedersen.

Because for Elias Pedersen, he's probably going to hit 70 points.

For someone to say, you know what, that's enough.

That looks like a first-line center.

The defensive D-man profile is just don't get...

whooped down your own side of the ice.

You got to pump that value up before you move them out.

I'll just read off a couple of D-man trades that happened in this calendar year.

Now, not every guy is similar playing style to Marcus Patterson, but just to show you

Guys who can play 20 minutes a night and what their value looks like.

So Rasmus Anderson, first round pick, prospect, Zach Whitecloud in the second round pick.

Carson Soucy, third round pick.

And again, the Rasmus Anderson, there was some retention there as well.

But you'd expect that outcome to materialize as well if something comes down the road for Marcus Pettersson.

Connor Murphy, future second round pick.

That was also retained.

Tyler Myers in this city retained second rounder and a fourth rounder.

Now, Mackenzie Weeger, all the twos as well from Utah.