Quoting: lavsim96
But ain't Mirco Mueller able to do that job? like would you not rather have Greene play on a third pairing and let Butcher and Mueller get top4 minutes?
Mueller has had trouble getting in over a struggling Moore and Lovejoy, so I wouldn't assume that he can jump into that role next year. Also, butcher is a very good 3rd pairing guy, but he is far away from handling 2nd pairing minutes. He gets sheltered minutes, and looks a bit overwhelmed sometimes when Hynes tries to stretch him. Mueller will start the year as the 7th Dman, and will draw in anytime someone gets injured. The hope is that he and Butcher show enough improvement during those opportunities to make Greene expendable at the deadline or the following offseason.
Also, when it comes down to finding a Dman on the left, there are really two options for the Devils:
1) trade Severson in a package to try to get a big return (OEL, Klefbom, Muzzin, Schmidt or Theodore)
2) keep Severson and trade Santini for a cheaper, stay-at-home Dman on a friendly contract (McNabb or Forbort)
I'm not married to either idea, and I have an earlier post where the Devils trade Severson to get Theodore. Also, the Galchenyuk trade is something I see the Devils trying if they are unable to sign a top FA forward like Tavares, Kane, Perron or JVR