D depth has dropped off a cliff in a year
2011-12
Hamhuis Bieksa
Edler Salo
Ballard Rome
Alberts Sulzer
Tanev
2013
Hamhuis Bieksa
Edler Garrison
Ballard Tanev
Alberts Barker
Joslin?
So let's say for example in extreme situation the team has 3 injuries on D (more likely to happen after lockout/no pre season apparently) to the top 6. That leaves you with:
Hamhuis Sulzer
Edler Tanev
Alberts Rome
vs
Hamhuis Tanev
Edler Alberts
Barker Joslin?
For the past few years, the team has been losing dmen to free agency at an alarming rate, and the chickens is at risk of coming home to roost. D depth was taken for granted. Lost to free agency without significant compensation:
Weaver
Ohlund
Mitchell
Ehrhoff
Salo
Rome
That's an entire NHL D corps.
not to mention the Sulzer/Gragnani trade (I was optimistic until I saw Gragnani play)
Sorry to be a debbie downer but its true