If we didn't already have Staal and Girardi locked up, Yandle would have ben a lot more feasible a signing...but we do, and it wasn't. We have to bite the bullet for our mistakes, and reset.
and probably lose out on another ECF/SCF that could have been possible this year.
Seriously, Diaz probably could have played better than Staal did last year.
As long as Dylan (and Graves eventually) play regularly I will be happy. I do not want a repeat of last seasons 34 games for either guy.
This is the only silver lining to not signing Yandle. If Graves develops like he is projected, and assuming both Staal and Girardi are moved, our d corps would be 4 homegrown guys, and most likely supplemented by 2 UFA/trade candidates (forseeably):
McDonagh
Skjei
Graves
McIlrath
Imagine if you could supplement that with two of Shattenkirk, Fowler, Dumba, or Vatanen.
This doesn't even include the possibility of Skjei playing the right side
That's a very good d corps in about 2 years time. Not terrible, and enough to offset (and more) Hank's decline.