[SeanCharles]

I’m not saying it will be immediate given the uncertainty surrounding Valimaki and Gio isn’t getting any younger but do we not expect Hanifin, Andersson and Valimaki all to be good enough for top 4 minutes?

Hanifin and Andersson are already there to go along with Gio. Meanwhile Valimaki was on a short path towards achieving that before he got hurt.

We also have Kylington, Mackey and Yelesin all capable/soon to be capable of playing bottom pairing minutes.

I have no doubt Stone would re-sign for league minimum to stay on as the #7 as he wants to stay in Calgary.

Kinnvall and Poolman are far from a sure thing but they both have potential to be young NHL defensemen within the next couple years as well.

I know it is Tre’s MO to have a lot of defensive depth but what is this big rush to add another dman?

There are guys like Vatanen and Schultz as FA’s that could potentially be targeted if we move on from Brodie and Hamonic.

All this highly paid defensive depth over the years during the regular season has done what for us?

You know come trade deadline time Tre will add bodies back there anyways.

I think our priorities should be to acquire more higher skill depth upfront and to secure a 2nd goalie that can make a solid tandem.

I agree we do need to add one more guy on defence but with the expansion draft looming, and the fact I don’t see the Flames leaving Gio exposed even if it might be the right thing to do, it might not be the logical path to acquire one via trade of high value assets.

Gio
Hanifin
Andersson
Valimaki
??????
Kylington
Stone

Mackey
Yelesin
Poolman
Lerby

Kinnvall