I really don't get why everyone thinks the sky is falling here. What they didn't over pay for aging vets? Ohh no what will they do without a 36 year old Brenden Dillon? They did exactly what they needed to do they bought out Schmidt to open up some space they let an aging vet move on to get younger guys into the lineup on D & they didn't overpay for mid level forwards.
This team is positioned very well to continue to be competitive, they do absolutely need to nail a winger for defenseman trade but that has been the case for at least a year even before the Rutger stuff they needed to move out a young winger in a trade for help on the back end. Honestly Rutger wanting out might end up being a positive as now when looking at possible returns you can look at true #2 guys instead of 3/4's.
Rasmus Anderssson has been brought up a few times not to say it has to be him but if the Jets were able to swing a Rutger for Andersson like trade and were able to roll a defense of:
JMo/Andersson
Ville/DD
Samberg/Pionk
With their current forward core and the guys on the Moose + Barlow pushing up that's a very solid foundation to continue to try and be competitive with.
Largely agree. Dillon is 33, not 36. I think Jets could have extended Dillon 6-7 months ago and maybe for less than he got from NJD, at least less term. That would have left a block in front of Ville. He would have needed to play 3RD to get in.
Until they signed Miller though, it looked like down 2 Dmen with only 1 coming in. Signing Miller filled that hole. I think he is the kind of smart vet who will help Ville progress.
Not winning the bidding for Monahan and not signing any of the other overpaid UFAs is a victory. Though I really would have preferred signing some of the top 4 RHD who were available over Miller.
McG for Andersson would be great. I doubt Flames are willing to let him go though. Plus Andersson has a 6 team NT list.