So in the way-too-early-to-be-available department...
I wonder what some combination of Ritchie, Nichushkin's rights, and Eakin could snag us on defense. Ritchie doesn't seem to be a good fit here, Nichushkin and Ruff don't mix well (or at all, seemingly), and Eakin's job is quickly being usurped by Shore and Faksa (and likely Dickinson soon).
I think its pretty clear that left-side defense is, organizationally, our weakest point all across the board. Everywhere else looks ready to compete now or within the next couple of years, except for LHD. Long-term we've got what, Lindell and Nemeth? Neither look like quality options right now. I definitely believe its a position that we need to look into strengthening sooner rather than later, meaning it'll have to be from outside.
Ideally we'd get a top four LHD who can skate well and move the puck. I'm struggling to even come up with players that fit that mold at all, much less those that would be available. Long-term assets fitting that mold just don't get moved often.
Maybe Calgary gets desperate for forward depth and ships out Gio or Brodie (our package wouldn't come close to good value, though). Maybe Edler gets moved as Vancouver's young defenders mature. Paul Martin could be a cap casualty in San Jose. Maybe Orlov out-prices himself in Washington next offseason. I don't know, the market could change drastically over the course of the next year, as could our own issues.
FA looks pretty weak, not a ton of great options there.
I'm interested to see how Nill proceeds, because really all we've heard is that he's happy with the defense how it is (probably just media filler, to be fair).