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Vancouver Canucks: 4 Possible D Combinations

By Janik Beichler

Dec 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Schultz (55) gets tangled with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton (27) and goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Schultz (55) gets tangled with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton (27) and goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Option 1: The Likely

Proposed combinations:

RD

Alex Edler Chris Tanev Ben Hutton Erik Gudbranson Luca Sbisa Nikita Tryamkin Andrey Pedan Alex Biega Troy Stecher

Whenever they were healthy this season, which did not occur too often, Edler and Tanev built the top pairing. Edler, a 30-year-old defenseman in his 11th NHL season, brings a lot of experience to the lineup, and will have to step up even more if Dan Hamhuis goes to free agency. Tanev was an unsung hero in Team Canada’s gold medal efforts at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, which rounds out a great pairing.

The second pair is new — it has to be. Gudbranson was acquired to be a top-four player and, even if fancy stats say he can’t be, that is likely where he will start the season. Gudbranson would be the one to gain possession while Hutton is responsible for driving the puck up ice after that happens. In theory, anyway.

Related: Canucks Paid Market Price for Gudbranson

As to the third pairing, we have Tryamkin, who proved to be NHL material on the right side of the ice, just like he is on the left. Sbisa might not be the greatest partner, but they could make for a physical third pairing that can eat up minutes against the opposition’s bottom lines.

That leaves us with Pedan on the left side and Biega and Stecher on the right. Stecher will most likely start the season in the AHL, no matter what happens ahead of him, while Pedan and Biega fight for NHL spots.

Next: Option 2

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