Laf is the only winger on the roster signed for more than the next 2 seasons and Cuylle is the only other one currently on the roster who is RFA controlled for more than 2.
The depth may be there now, but it isn't going to be there for much longer. Trading Perreault is a bad idea for many reasons, but mostly because they're going to need productive ELC players to off set the bigger contracts (Laf, Fox, what Igor is likely going to get.)
The FO screwed the pooch by not solving their Lindgren problem this offseason. They don't need a young stud LD, they just needed someone who is capable of reliably handling top 4 minutes and isn't a detriment at both ends of the ice. Those guys were available but instead we've got a 4.5 million dollar guy who might as well just be a rut in the ice. Sean Walker (who many of us wanted to take a look at) is making a million less and can reliably play both sides while being 100x the player.
I agree with you on Lindgren out Walker in but the organization seems lost when it comes to addressing the defense.
As I posted before what is the reason why Scanlin is playing RD in Hartford?
Traditionally it takes longer to develop d men. What’s the plan. It appears that other teams have started to lock up pending 25/26 UFA defensemen.
We have very little draft capital. I believe one of the few paths that remain is trading for a solid young LD. That’s going to cost assets.
If it happens to be anyone other then Cuylle
Lafreniere
Chytil
Edstrom
Then so be it.
Once again I’ve been told for so many years by people like yourself who follow the amateur circuit come draft time is to always take the BPA.
The reason that is given is then you can trade from strength to address a need.
The need is LD.
You yourself just recently posted that there are 9 better forwards in Hartford that are better than Matt Rempe (who at 22 has already played in over 30 NHL games) if this is true how many more Rangers prospects that haven’t turned pro are better?
To me that signals a great pool of forward depth.
If it takes a package of one of Othmann or Perrault and a d-man then so be it.
Trade Perreault, now i've heard it all.
Not that Chicago would do it but you wouldn’t package Perrault for Vlasic?