Don't think it makes sense getting another dman if were moving rig lol

GMJR has said they need 8D for a cup run. Just think Oleksiak should move for someone that better fits our system (and is preferably a RHD). Riikola conditions in the AHL once Schultz gets back.

rather keep Rudwedel then and have him and Riikola as 7/8 dman and move Oleskiak to clear cap space.

Riikola isn’t going down to the AHL. If that was the case, he’d already be there. There is nothing he will learn in the AHL that he hasn’t already learned playing in the NHL. Just trade Oleksiak for cap space. That’s pretty much it. No need to get another D

If they trade a D man it's for a LW.
If not come the off season it's probably Schultz gone as they can't afford to keep him the year after.

if by the time Schultz comes back whoever the 8th defenseman is if they are waiver eligible(So Rikkola or pettersson) can be sent down to the AHL if they aren't playing up here anyway. no need to trade anyone away right now unless you are actually getting something back

No they aren’t. Riikola already isn’t playing. They would just send him down now to get playing time. There is literally no reason to send either him or Petterson down. They are too good for the AHL. Especially since it didn’t happen at the beginning of the season when everyone was healthy, Riikola was one of the extra defenseman, and they didn’t think Ruhwedel was gonna be terrible.

you stated the EXACT reason why they would be sent down, to actually get playing time. That is what I was saying.

They would have already been sent down if that’s the case. And sending them down only takes time away from someone like Prow who is killing it and starting to look like he is gonna be ready next year

right now they are one injury away or one game that Sullivan wants to switch it up from him stepping in, once Schultz is back that means there will be two guys that have to slide out before need him, so it makes them unnecessary, the team isn't gonna carry that many defenseman if they are all healthy.

They will more than likely trade either Maatta or Oleksiak. My guess is probably Oleksiak since he is healthy and riding pine for Riikola right now. JJ went from a -13 to a -4 in the 18 games he has been paired with Petterson and actually looked solid. No way they take Petterson away from him. Plus the pens are gonna need to trade a decent cap hit anyway.

haven't done the exact math but from what I have seen they don't HAVE to trade anybody. They can if they find a good deal but don't need to cap dumb any of them(not til after the season at least)

But they can and probably will trade someone like Maatta or Oleksiak to get scoring depth. Especially since they will have to in the offseason anyway because with Jakes contract kicking in, they have very little cap room and like 8 players to sign.