[ComixZone]

Only reason the Flames move Hanifin (a good, 23 year old top-3 defender) is if it’s part of a bigger move to improve/change the makeup of the team (the hope with all trades). He’s far from being untouchable, and he’d be moved because he holds value and the Flames truly believe in Valimaki (they do).

I think it’s fair to say Hanifin doesn’t play with much of an edge - and sharpening this team’s edge may very well be a priority this off-season. We don’t have enough defenceman that lay the body/impose their physicality in board battles - I could reasonably see a desire to change that.

Ristolainen and OEL were #1 and #3 last season in hits by d-men last season (Gudas was #2) - and both hold more offensive capability than Hanifin has shown to date for the Flames. I would 100% understand moving Hanifin so long as the team has a move that brings in one of these two players.

Dumba doesn’t fulfill the size nor the physicality that they may be searching for - but he does have the offensive ability, and getting that PP QB has to be a desire (Barrie rumours, renting Gus). Dumba fills that need to be sure.