Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Your premise is that Hanifin won't be protected. I think that is false.
1) Andersson
2) Hanifin
3) Giordano
If Kylington somehow turns into a stud, he could replace Gio, but there is almost 0% chance of that happening.
Tanev gets exposed because Tanev will be 31 years old, and has a market-price contract. If you lose him, you go pay another, similar free agent the same money.
You don't let a 24 year old defenseman with Hanifin's potential go.
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a. I think Chris Tanev will prove this coming season that he’s more valuable than Hanifin. Tanev is extremely mobile and can defend elite level players while providing big time leadership which this organization values. I think he ends up gettinf protected.
b. I also don’t think Mark Giordano is exposed in the expansion draft. The Flames have a history of being a classy organization and the idea of sending their Norris Trophy calibre, long time serving, community entrenched, heart and soul captain out the door to a future divisional rival just seems unthinkable.
c. Lastly, Hanifin may be 24 and may have perceived untapped potential based on his draft position. But he’s 5 years into his professional career and he hasn’t displayed a whole heck of a lot. I actually see more wrongs in his game than right and I’m talking about fundamental/foundational things that I’m not sure he can fix. I don’t think it’s a surprise we’ve been hearing his name in the trade rumors for a while now and I actually could see a scenario where Valimaki passes Hanifin at some point during the season.