Hilarious.
For real though, we need
someone to fill the role. We’re easily at least 1 more full year away from Jiricek being an adequate top pairing player.
I think both Severson and Gudbranson are extremely underrated by most people. The problem is Gudbranson simply isn’t good enough to handle the heavy minutes next to Werenski over an extended period, and IMO I think Werenski/Severson are actually EXTREMELY similar players. TOO similar to be effective DEFENSIVELY while playing together.
I’d easily start at Jiricek-Sillinger as a realistic base for a trade to acquire a WORTHWHILE player on defense along with possibly another “veteran”/“depth” player.
I trade Jiricek before Mateychuk and Sillinger before any of the Russians or Johnson. At the end of the day Jones is missed.