Niskanen should be the guy they go after - he's having a great season playing beside the youngster, Maatta, and is right-handed. But as others have said, the Penguins will probably try and retain him, and if not would he even leave for a team like the Flames?
I would take a look at a guy like Mark Fayne who is quietly a solid defenceman for the Devils: cheaper than Butler, six months younger (both are young, relatively), shoots right-handed, and at 6'3/210 he fits the Burke big model although he doesn't appear to be truculent with none of those types of penalties (roughing, fighting, hitting from behind, charging, etc.). Also a competent penalty killer.
Matt Greene does seem like the ideal Burke defenceman and he's right-handed - I think you guys are onto something if the interest was mutual. He does like Alberta and attends the Big Valley Jamboree...
Really there isn't much available via UFA, unless they go for a big vet in his mid-30s to mentor for a year or two, like Ron Hainsey or Brooks Orpik (both left-handed).
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"I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?"
Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
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