Def NOT Poulin lol, either Hallander or O'Connor (or Miletic)

I don't see how honka helps or gets into the top 6 off the bat when he couldn't cut it in Dallas and they couldn't give him away. Plus i don't think he'd want to come back to North America when he is playing 20 plus min in Finland. He won't get that on any NHL team.

Haula wouldn't be a bad 3rd line center but he has durability issues. Of course the Bleuger line is really our shutdown line and HAula would add some offense over keeping Bjugstad

He wasn't really bad in Dallas when used, and they weren't trying to "give him away" it was rumored that they were asking for at least a third round pick

They aren't going to sign Edmundson with JJ on this team.

If they were really smart they would sign Connor Mackey to come play LD.
He could play immediately.
Then they could either trade JJ or sit him as the 7th guy, or send him down to the AHL.
They would have one solid D core then of
Dumo Letang
MP Marino
Mackey and ????? (I would hope TVR but we'll see)

There are 2 solid D prospects that are unsigned in the NCAA right now.
There is also one who is a 4 year senior who they could pry away.

If they don't grab up a defense man from the NCAA this year they are just flat out stupid.

That would work as well. My only point is that JJ should not be in the top six. whether its a College player or a UFA or in house he needs to be replaced.

JJ has not been bad as a 3rd pairing guy.
there wasn't much to be said about him this year till he was forced up into a 1st pairing role where he does not belong.
Having said that. There are better options out there, but they have to be willing to go get them. It makes no sense for them to go out and get a 3 million a year LD just to sit JJ.
But a guy on a league rookie deal is a much more likely possibility.