Do we really need more LD?

Lindgren
Miller
Reunanen
Robertson
Rykov
Jones

I’ll cry if holland does that

For the foreseeable future yeah totally putting Staal anywhere near a lineup equals rooting against your own team and I don't see Jones and Robertson being ready for the NHL until having spent 2 seasons (20-21 and 21-22) in the AHL. Plus he'd help our PK, along with Faksa and Nosek who also help fixing that

What im trying to say is you don't trade for caleb jones to cover the next 2 seasons or so, you get him for later

Ok, he's still a pretty good NHL ready d-man who's proven unlike most of the guys on your list except Lindgren... plus where's that written, in 2 years, when he is in his prime, there'll be teams willing to pay big to get him which will be good for us. Miller will make the NHL next season so a LD side of Lindgren, Miller and Jones seems pretty strong IMO

I like all these trades aside from giving wayyyyyy too much for Faksa (a 2nd alone is on the high end of a return - despite his reputation, Faksa has had negative defensive value at Evens and SH over the past 2 seasons)



Also you should be able to get a lot more than a 5th for Smith and Lias. Don't equate Smith with Staal, they're very different.

Strome, Trouba, and Jones trades look great though. Rutta's a good target as a 7D. Pitlick's not bad either. Nosek is kinda trash though. His negative offense essentially neutralizes any positivity gained from his defense.

https://www.imgbbb.com/image/TUmIbR

The RAPM chart you love so much tells me he's NOT negative at defense lol.

Also would you prefer Larsson/Girgensons?

Smith's issue isn't speed(like Staal), it's decision making, he seems to make bad decisions pretty often lol

Smith's issue is Ruff. He was literally one of the best blue line defenders in the league (even for the Rangers briefly) and then Ruff came on-board. Everything Ruff touches turn to crap defensively.

Idk if Edmonton accepts that trade but it would be very good for NY.

Right but GMs look at Smith and they see him struggling big time they don’t care about his defensive coach...

Also do you have any clue to why we hired him in the 1st place?

I have no idea what GM's see when they look at Smith.... He's big, strong, physical, can play both D and F in a pinch, and has performed very well in the playoffs. I can think of a few GM's who would like all of that. Scandella got a 2nd last year, and he's not very different from Smith.

Ruff got hired because NHL GM's are dumb and equate not giving up goals to defense as opposed to goaltending. Now the Devils are interviewing Ruff to be head coach. If teams are still interested in Ruff, there's definitely a few interested in Smith.

Edmonton declines that offer in a heartbeat