Since we're talking about trades everybody knows is going to happen, let's talk about Kevin Shattenkirk to the Rangers. As much as I don't really want it to be a thing, we all know it's totally going to be a thing, right? So the question is: what do the Rangers give up for Shattenkirk?
I'm guessing JT Miller, a 1st, and some spare change.
Man, I'm hoping they wait it out at this point. Our D needs much more than a Shattenkirk bandaid to do anything in the playoffs. We have an issue in net this season too.
I know we can't keep everyone, but why pay for Shatty when he's made it abundantly clear he'll come to us on a decent contract in the off-season? I hope management sees this. Getting him now is pointless unless there are other moves and a healthy Raanta can be our usual Hank.
Offensively we're dynamite with everyone healthy. So much depth. But we need better goal-tending and I'd say another D on top of Shattenkirk. We need G gone, Klein on the third pairing at most, and another righty. I guess Holden could do it. But then we have:
McDonagh - Shattenkirk
Staal - Holden
Skjei - Klein/Clendening
Still not great. Not deep playoff-run worthy. I'd want something like:
McDonagh - Shattenkirk
Staal - X
Holden - Skjei/Clendening
That'd be a step in the right direction.