Haha. Ok, Bennett for the 3rd it is then.
I like Gio, and think he's a great defenseman. But is he worth $6.75 for the next 5 years? When he's not worth that value, he's probably not tradeable. As I said, he fits the Leafs and the way Babcock will want to go right away this year with the young guys they have up front.
Not JVR, fine...pick another Leaf that they're willing to give up, and that CLB will want. Gio won't want to go to CLB straight up, and some 3 way would achieve getting that asset to pry #3 from CLB if the Flames don't want to give up a younger forward.
Decimate the defense? There's still Brodie, everyone's expecting Hamilton to turn into a total player in the next couple seasons, along with the other guys hopefully knocking on the door like Jokkipakka. Sure, it would take a hit, but we're not exactly chock full of talented forwards that would play on most team's top 2 lines...we've got 3 that fit the bill with Hudler now gone. Removing one, like Bennett, to get the forward you're picking at #3 is a step back. I don't think CLB is going to want Backlund, Colborne and Bouma as a package either.
You're going to have to give up something to get something...and as much as you'd hope Treliving to pull magic beans out like the Hamilton deal (IMO, I still think the Oilers were going to offer sheet him, and no way the Bruins wanted to give him to Chirelli, so to the Flames he goes) CLB holds all the cards with #3 and no reason to let that go.
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