Lebrun

Sure they could be ready by next year but being NHL ready and NHL elite ready are 2 different things, Martinez (or Petry who i think is the better target) really sure up the D depth which has shown weakness recently for this year and next then they are replaced by much more prepared and developed young players. Colorado is trying to chase the cup right now, they are lucky Makar adapted so well so fast, defense usually take until their mid 20's to peak

Bingo. I was about to say the same thing. If Colorado really wants to run 2 rookies as part of a legit defensive corp, by all means go ahead. But look at teams like LA right now, where they are doing the same thing. It's not pretty.

Martinez would be a good stop-gap for the next season and a half while Byram/Timmons get their feet wet next year. On top of that, he's got winning experience, is phenomenal in his own zone (breakouts, shot blocking monster, etc) and has that "clutch" factor. Dude scored the Game 7 winner against Chicago in 2014, and then topped that with the series winner against New York to win the Cup.

I'd love to hear a bit more about Ranta. But I like the deal for the Kings, despite it not having a 2020 pick.

Even without Byram and Timmins making the jump Martinez would give them 7 regular NHL D men in Makar, Girard, EJ, Graves, Cole, Zadorov, Martinez. Plus Calle Rosen as a depth guy. Unless they are going to regularly run 11F and 7D it seems like a waste to carry 7 quality NHL defensemen if they healthy scratch one of them most nights