Seriously though, I don't know why everyone has a hard-on for our defensemen in Albany. "zomg dont trade gelinas."
WE HAVE NO SPACE ON THE NHL ROSTER. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A FUTURE IN NEW JERSEY.
These guys have nowhere to play. I don't care how many points they have, there's no room for them. And there won't be room next year, either. These guys won't get qualified or will refuse to sign, and then we've lost assets that we've spent years investing in.
Even if ONE of these guys, by some miracle DOES make the team....we don't need to hold on to the others. You could make the argument that they make Albany better, but Albany is terrible even with them.
Gelinas/Urbom/Burlon are all interchangeable to me and I'd move any of them in a heartbeat with no hesitation. The only prospects I won't entertain moving are Merrill, Boucher, Matteau, and the goalies. I'd be reluctant to move Severson but would do it if I had to.
Of course, this changes if we ship out some defense, but we all know how much Lou loves having surplus defensemen.