Greg Zanon

[g3ryder]

How do you guys view Zanon as a defenseman? I know he's a huge fan favorite, especially after playing out the year on a broken ankle, but do you see him as a legit top-4 dman?

[Jarick]

Yes I do.

[this providence]

I wouldn't consider him a legit top 4 player on most contending teams.

However, where the Wild are at, Zanon is a top 4 player. At least he's been played as one by Richards.

[mnwildgophers]

He would probably be better suited off as a PK specialist. I mean, I love what he brings to the table, but if we had better options, then we wouldn't have to play Zanon as much in our top 4. I think he can handle it though.

[saywut]

He's a complimentary top-4, you play him with an adequate puck mover/skater and he's fine. You play him with a pylon and they'd get exposed for lack of speed.

The problem is he's our best d-man, where he should be at best our #3.

[State of Hockey]

No, I see him as a good #5 defensemen. He's playing ahead of that because of the coach and lack of defensive ability on the roster.

Honestly, he's not a favorite of mine because he's not that good overall, and he's foolish when it comes to playing tough. It's admirable and all to be near the league leaders in blocked shots, but if you're always going to be incapacitated by the end of the year, it may be time to be wiser about when and how you do it. One day he may be needed for the playoffs, and he needs to understand that his health for that time is most important.

[GopherState]

Originally Posted by this providence

I wouldn't consider him a legit top 4 player on most contending teams.

However, where the Wild are at, Zanon is a top 4 player. At least he's been played as one by Richards.

I would agree with this. Zanon is a good defensive 4/5 guy and brings a lot of grit and toughness; however to say he's a regular top-four guy is a stretch. He's been playing second-pairing minutes a lot this past season but that was more due to injuries and Richards having issues with line changes than anything.

[rynryn]

he's top 4 on our squad, but he isn't on most teams. Like Walz, the guy stands out because of his on-ice never-say-die play more than skill (though both were great at certain things). I like what he's getting paid right now and taking into consideration value relative to our other D, he's underpaid. Down 6-3 in the last three minutes and need to kill off a penalty? He'll be working just as hard as if it were 2-1 in our favor.

[firstroundbust]

He's a 4.5

but he's #1 in our hearts.