Quote:
Originally Posted by DrinkFightFlyers
This seems to be a common misconception around here...that top defenders are developed, not traded for/signed. While it is more cost-effective to develop your own #1, a lot of the top defenders in the league have been signed as UFAs or traded for. There are lot of young defensemen out there with #1 POTENTIAL, but that doesn't mean they will ever develop into that or that they will stay with their current team.
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Suter, B. Campbell, and Chara are about the only ones that I can think of. Chara wasn't who he is today and Ottawa made a choice between him or Redden. Campbell isn't a top flight number one, so he doesn't really fit. Ryan Suter is about the only big name free agent, but Nashville did everything in their power to keep him. It is incredibly difficult to get a number defenseman outside of drafting and developing your own.
Timonen would fit I guess, but don't forget that Nashville also had Weber, Suter, and Hamhuis already in the system.