Butcher is a healthy scratch. Easy no from MTL

Switch Mete for Lekohanen? Devils are going to lose alot of defensemen during the TDL and Mete would be a replacement

He's scratched because we have too many Offensive defensemen

Still that means there are possibly 6 options better than him just in NJ

Not really. Butcher was solid in the games he has played this year. These are all of our LHD
Smith - one of our best defensemen and replaced Butcher this year. Ton of potential
Kulikov - very good defensively. Plays with Subban who needs a defensive partner
Murray - Solid both offensively and defensively. Plays with Vatanen who needs a defensive partner

Still I'd go for someone else at that price

Like who? Ekholm is too expensive

Goligoski, Savard...

Savard is a RHD which the Habs don't really need
Goligoski has a M-NTC and it seems like players are unlikely to waive for Canada

Savard could be our 3rd RHD. We have none for now. Mostly Romanov/Mete filling this role. We could fnally move Romanov to where he should be on the left side

1.Romanov played RD in the KHL, he is comfortable there
2.We dont need more slow defenceman
3. In this trade we are also paying to get rid of Byron's contract
4. The only other logical option is Dunn

Savard would cost more than Butcher and Butcher would be playing a bigger role in Montreal compared to Savard

I think Dunn isn't available anymore.

^ This explains the Butcher scratch situation as well as anywhere I've seen. Also different point but don't think he gets traded at the TDL with his value as low as ever. Assuming Kulikov and Murray are traded I'd let Butcher play top 4 minutes to close out the season, probably get some points and showcase him on the PP and then look to trade in the offseason.

Perfect idea! We won't many many defensemen after the TDL so it would be the perfect chance for Butcher to play. Hopefully Ruff gives him a shot