I was happy with this deal at the time, but I like it even more today. I think the trade is just good asset management by the Flames.
Looking at clips of Carolina highlites, Hamilton hasn't changed or improved in the defensive zone. If you watch him closely, a lot of his defensive mistakes are hidden by other players. When he doesn't get that benefit, Hamilton gets exposed.
https://youtu.be/mvbCkXTDqsM?t=20
There's two clips from this youtube highlite clip that sum up what you get with Hamilton.
0:20 seconds in: Islanders forward has the puck. Hamilton is drifting with his ass defending the Carolina bench door leaving a wide open seam in the middle. The Carolina forward stops pressing and Hamilton doesn't have a play. He actually cuts backwards first because he has to make a C with his back leg to try and come back to the middle. The Islanders player blows past "smooth skating" Hamilton and its a goal.
1:30 seconds in: Hamilton goes back to retrieve puck. He slows down and makes a soft play. He gets knocked off the puck easily, leads to a scramble and almost a goal.
At the time, I didn't know anything about Lindholm or Hanafin, but I was already onboard with the trade. Hamilton was close to peak value. He put up another year where he got plenty of goals (at the expense of Giordano's production). His corsi stats were great as they always have been. 6'5". Cost certain contract at $5.75 million for the next 2 years. There is a lot to like about Hamilton on paper.
Offensively, I think he's likely getting a bit unlucky with Carolina this year, but I don't think he's the offensive driver his stats would indicate. He's a Mike Green / Dennis Wideman type defenseman. He'll put up points. He'll shoot the puck, but he doesn't have that creative element to his game.
I am not even that high on Hanafin yet, but he is cheaper, younger, and on a better contract. If he can round out his defensive game, this trade will keep tilting for the Flames.
I liked Ferland a lot more than Hamilton, but it is pretty clear that Lindholm is a better player and better fit on top line. Lindholm is coming in at under $5 million for the next 6 years. Ferland is in a prime position to be overpaid as a UFA.