I would look at maybe a deal including Staal/Kristo for Tlusty/Harrison/pick. Or a seperate deal for Boedkker.
The longer the season goes the more apparent it is that Staal in not worth anything near the $5 mil he's going to want. Aside from the obvious softness and lack of offense he's playing stupid hockey. The second goal was on him more than Hank though I agree if Hank is hugging the post the shot gets stopped regardless of being deflected. This game showed how feeble our defense is aside from Girardi, nobody wants to take the body. Not going to work against Pitt, Philly or Boston.
We have some issues, but we all (me included) need to keep things in perspective. We are 14 games into a long season. A lot of hockey left. Getting Moore back tomorrow night and Boyle back Thursday or Saturday I believe, will be a big help and step in the right direction. That should help our D. We also need to get our 3rd line straight. That is a huge key right now I think (the biggest key I think since we know help is on the way for the D starting next game). I like Moore and Stemp as a good start on the 4th line. I like Hags as a good start on the 3rd line. Now we need to fill in the holes. Where does Hayes fit and Duke and maybe Miller and maybe Lindberg and does AV continue to keep Glass here. We need to get the 3rd line worked out and then we'll be in a much better place as our D gets healthy. Last night was a poor effort. I don't think that is the norm. We simply came out flat in the 2nd game of a back to back against a team I bet we thought we'd roll. Not saying it is good, just saying what I think happened. No excuse for it, but it happened. So you need to toss last night out and get ready for a big challenge tomorrow night at MSG. I would expect a strong effort tomorrow night at the very least. We'll see if it's enough.
Like Chuck said the D is not a long term issue. Guys will be back. The issue is the bottom 6. We're a 2 line team right now. Here's my idea for a fix. 1. Tanner Glass get the fuck off my team. 2. Chris Stewart. Another report yesterday that Buff is sticking to their price of a pick and prospect. Pay it. Anyone not named Duclair or Skjei. Even McIltath who I really like but AV apparently has no use for. Stewart easily replaces whatever it was Glass brought to this team and is a great skater to play in AV's system. He even went with Lucic the other day and got some real good shots on him in. How long have we wanted someone to knock that goon around. 3. Call up Fast. Twice the PK player Glass is and 500 million times the offensive player. Put him on the 4th and second PK pairing. 4. Send down Duclair. "I really like him as a player and he's a clear part of the future. But in terms of what this team needs I think he's the odd man out and AV doesn't seem to fully trust him yet anyway. 5. Figure out who centers the 3rd line between Lindberg Hayes and Miller. I think Miller's game would go best with Hags and Stewart but he just doesn't seem to have the acumen for center. Hayes is good but so bad on face offs it's embarrassing. Give Lindberg 3 games there, make a decision and stick w it. Hagelin-Lindberg/Hayes-Stewart Fast-Moore-Stempniak
