Throw Philly Schuldt, Merrill and a 2nd.
They get a younger, cheaper potential top 4 defenseman who could at least be a defenseman who puts up points that they could use for more time. And a capable Merrill and a 2nd. For a season and a half of Niskanen (essentially Gudas, since that's all he cost).
Then we would have to trade Stastny to clear cap space. But that would give us assets to get a rental third liner at the deadline.
If not that, something similar is possible. We have too many young defense that all need seasoning at the same time anyway, we need to trade at least one because you never want that many on your blue line at the same time.
Move out Stastny? The guy who almost killed us 2 years ago in the WCF? The guy who put up tons of points in last years playoffs?
Eakin still doesn't look like himself, and he may never be back to 100% after being concussed in the preseason (let's be honest that's what it is, Vegas never lets it get out there that their players have concussions).
The last thing they should do is make short-sighted moves that ruin their depth for the playoffs and next season.
2020-21:
Patches Glass Stone <-proven effective
Marchy WB Smith <-proven effective
Rookie Stastny Tuch <-savy old vet with young buck wings
Carrier Nosek/Roy/Cotter Reavesuntiltheendoftime <-Turkboners
McNabb Schmitt <-proven effective. PMD + PK manly man
Rookie Theodore <-Teddy should be more reliable
Snarly Old Vet - Rookie <-good cop, bad cop
I think a player they might want to target would be DeAngelo. He doesn't fit into NYR's long term plans with Fox & Trouba, and his cap hit works. He'd be able to slot in anywhere in the top 4 and provides toughness and moves the puck well.
19-20:
McNabb Schmidt
Theodore DeAngelo
Merrill/Holden Engelland
20-21:
Schmidt DeAngelo
McNabb Theodore
Snarly Old Vet - Rookie