SO! I smell a battle here. We're gonna pick apart the boys piece by piece and see who we would choose to lay claim to the "last really good defense position". Because really? #5 and 6 are just fillers in writers' eyes (even though they still get more time than third liners).
Brad Stuart (#23) vs. Jonathan Ericsson (#52)Build: Stuart weighs in at 213lbs. and stands a nice 6'2". He's 28 years old and should be coming into his prime. Ericsson is 6'4" (6'5" on some sites) and weighs 206lbs. Don't let the weight difference fool you, both know how to use what they have. Ericsson, being the biggest guy I've heard of excepting Chara, gets my vote for Best Build. As it is, those numbers are probably from the beginning of the season, and I'm sure they've either had him build up or he just plain has from his black ace time.
Looks: When Stuart came to Detroit from LA, he had the blonde highlights of a surfer dude. He's since shed the spiky streaks and is sporting a simple brown shaggy poofball (though it might've diminished when that playoff beard left). What stands out most about Stuart though is his kind, almost puppy dog eyes. The man is so soft-spoken you have to be dead quiet to hear him most the time, and I've never seen eyes reflect this demeanor so well! They're certainly something to get lost in. Ericsson, on the other hand, seems to be taking after Detroit's "new Yzerman" (per Lidström's claim when he arrived in the States) in copying countryman Henrik Zetterberg's long and slightly greasy 'do. When he was drafted, he had the dark locks chopped and spiked, where did that go? But the sealing deal for Ericsson is his eyes and smile combined. Yes, I'm an eye person, but smiles can also really do me in. His combination is about as knockout as they come. Dark eyes, not your typical Swede color, with a shy-blended-with-cunning smirk can sweep one off their feet. Think I'm joking? Look at this picture! *Fans self* That's a face to swoon over if ever I saw one! So overall, even though I was raised to like the pretty boys with highlights - no matter outgoing or shy - I'm the typical rebel who likes the opposite, and Ericsson's cliché bad boy long hair, combined with that mischievous smile do us in. Ericsson for the win.
Nickname: Finally, a simple column to judge. Can Ericsson go for the trifecta? No way can I hide it, the answer of course is yes. Stuart is simply "Stuie" or any variation of that - typically "Stewie" even though his name doesn't have a 'w'. What does that remind me of? Family Guy. I can only take so much of that show before I want to break something. So definitely not my favorite nickname. Ericsson though? "Big Rig". Oh... yes, most definitely. The name fits the man and it has nothing to do with his legal name. Originality! And it suits him! And it can even be considered slightly dirty. Ooh, might've just went a step too far. But I don't care, Ericsson still takes the cake even if my slightly twisted mind wouldn't have come up with that!
Winner: Jonathan "Big Rig" Ericsson!
Now for an honest take on abilities? I would still vote Ericsson IF it could be between the two for the #4 spot. Stuart is a stay-at-home defenseman who, because the rest of the team does it, tries to move into the play at times. Unfortunately it doesn't always end up too pretty (see Game 3 of the Cup finals). If he would accept that he is JUST a stay-at-home d-man I would be content. He has a rocket, he hits BIG, and he is very solid in his own end. But Ericsson was hand-picked by our master scout to be a glove for this specialized team. Two-way potential, solid at both ends of the ice, a rocket of a shot, hits big and will soon hit bigger, and oh yes, will drop the gloves if he must. Care to see him wail on an unfortunate minor-leaguer a couple inches smaller who didn't think the big guy could handle himself? Be my guest, stare in awe at the beast unleashed (he's #4 in white). I think I'm in love with the potential. Hey Kenny? Bring the kid up :)
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