Quote:
Originally Posted by jayswin
...I will be shocked if Gio is protected by Brad next off season.
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I think that since Valimaki is exempt from the expansion draft the choice the Flames will need to make for protecting a defenseman will come between Giordano, Tanev and Kylington. I don't see Kylington receiving protection unless he makes a dramatic improvement this season, and I suspect that Giordano wins out over Tanev even with only one year remaining on his deal.
But in the end, it won't matter because as things stand today the Flames will end up losing a forward, not a defenseman. Seattle will get their pick of whichever of Backlund or Bennett is left exposed, and it will probably suck.