Sigh
Just read through this thread.
It is full of whining and unrealistic solutions.
1 - we need more picks. fine. But you are not going to get decent picks for players we want to get rid of. tons of the posts here overvalue the trade value of our players.
2 - not one post referred to Utanen. He has a decent chance to make the Finnish team. Woo wasn't even invited. And with concerns about defensive ability of Juolevi and Hughes, in a couple of years a steady D-man will be what we need.
3 - One poster suggested signing a top 4 UFA at a good rate. Seriously? Thats not how FA works.
4 - One suggested signing Stralman - he'd be 33, and is not going to be cheap, or sign a short term contract.
5 - repeated suggestions to trade Edler, who has said he will not waive his NTC, and in reality is probably willing to re-sign at a reasonable rate. And would likely be as good as anyone we could sign for about twice the price.
The future is not all bad. We expect Juolevi and Hughes next year. We have Brisebois, Sautner, Woo, Chatfield, Utanen, Eliot, McEneny in the system. We may get Tryamkin back (which I think is our best bet to really help our blue line).
Hutton and Stecher look like legitimate 5 - 6 D men. (Hutton maybe even top 4).
Yes we have a ton of fringe players like Guddy, Poohy, Biega and MDZ. The only one who has trade value is Gudbranson. He is a big tough body, and would help out a legit playoff team as someone who can handle the playoff grind. He's wasted on the Canucks.
But Edler and Tanev to steady the line up next year.
So
Edler Juolevi
Tanev Hughes
Hutton Stecher
Gudbranson or Biega as 7th D man.
Resign Pouliot as a recall from Utica (if he clears waivers) ... and as someone to leave for expansion.
And if Tryamkin comes back ....