In the roundup, we discuss Victor Met as a top d-man for the Montreal Canadiens, what to do if Ryan Poehlin is ready and Max Dom’s next deal.
1) Has Victor Met proven that he can be a top-2 defenceman, and if not, what does he have to do to reach that level?
Emmanuel: I don’t think he has shown that he can be a top-2 defenceman just yet. While he has displayed his exceptional hockey IQ and skating ability, I think he is more suited to playing on the second pairing rather than on the first. The issue is that he has more chemistry than Weber compared with Petry. Since there are no other left-handed defencemen on the Montreal Canadiens that plays the same way as Mete, they have no choice but to play him with Weber, barring a potential trade.
For starters, what Mete has to do to reach that level is to start picking up more assists and maybe one day score a goal in the NHL (I’m sorry, I had to.) I don’t think he’s far off from reaching that top-2 status as long as he continues to improve as the season goes on. I think this process can be sped up if he’s given more chances on the powerplay, maybe even leading plays on the second unit.
Dillon ‘Dom’ Dominique: In my opinion Mete isn’t and likely will never become a true top pairing defenseman because he lacks a few qualities needed to be such. He lacks the offensive and defensive capabilities it takes to be considered among the best at his position. Starting with his lack of a powerful shot from the point to his lack of great playmaking in the offensive zone he just doesn’t seem like a player who could put up more than 30 points in a season.
While he is a good defender because of his positioning, stick and great outlet passing, he isn’t strong enough to work the boards or clear the front of the net. To be a top-2 defenseman, I think he would need to be elite at either the offensive or defensive end of the ice, and I don’t see Mete becoming either one. That said, I do see him as a true 2nd pairing d-man.