Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
Unless you make a good hockey trade for one or more of them prior to that time.
Frankly, even 2020 would result in really good exposed players especially on D. Gio, Brodie, Andersson, Hamonic, Hanifin and Kylington would all be eligible.
In 2021 you might have to go 8 skaters and protect Monahan, Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Lindholm up front, with Hanifin, Hamonic and Valimaki plus one of Gio/Brodie/Andersson. I guess Bennett's progress will make this decision happen one way or the other.
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Pretty tough to make this call now for sure but I'd guess the flames go with 8 skaters as well.
You just hope that another forward steps up out of the Mangiapane, Dube, Jankowski, Bennett fold to become worthy of protection. I would say it wouldn't make much sense to protect Gio as a 37 something year old about to be on an expiring deal and Hamonic could very well be gone as a FA by then.
As of this offseason my list would be:
Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Backlund, Hanifin, Valimaki, Andersson, Goalie