Jyrki Kevin Jokipakka: Does management start to make plans to protect him?

[jayswin]

Last season he looked like a very good prospect that could fit in on the second pairing. This season so far he looks like a solid, legit top four defenseman. The type that are very difficult to draft/acquire these days.

If his play keeps up - and I don't see any reason it wouldn't - I would really hope Brad Treliving is starting to have serious thoughts about protecting him. Obviously that means we would have to protect four d-men which would limit forwards being protected, but man what a great player he is. It would be a damn shame to lose him so easily after absolutely stealing him out of Dallas.

[sureLoss]

Or they may have to negotiate a pick with Vegas not to select him.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Last season he looked like a very good prospect that could fit in on the second pairing. This season so far he looks like a solid, legit top four defenseman. The type that are very difficult to draft/acquire these days.

If his play keeps up - and I don't see any reason it wouldn't - I would really hope Brad Treliving is starting to have serious thoughts about protecting him. Obviously that means we would have to protect four d-men which would limit forwards being protected, but man what a great player he is. It would be a damn shame to lose him so easily after absolutely stealing him out of Dallas.

Considering he was a healthy scratch in Game 1, unless he really strings some nice game together, I doubt they view him as a major piece worth leaving extra forwards exposed just to protect.

[jayswin]

I would likely be in the extreme minority with this opinion, but I would honestly think about exposing Giordano.

Not because I don't think he's extremely valuable to the team, but just because of that contract. He'll likely start to drop off in the next few years and then that's going to be a boat anchor.

So I'd see it as two alright outcomes:

A) Vegas looks at that contract and says "Yeesh, we can get veteran leadership via other avenues, we can't afford to commit that much to someone who may nto be a top defender in a couple years". Then we get to keep him and that's great. Or

B) They take him and although we expose a hole in our line-up, all of a sudden open up 6.75mil a year to our cap during these upcoming years where we're likely going to be in tough to sign all our young guys.

Plus, if we see Jokipakka as a legit top 4 guy, then you've got Brodie, Hamilton and Jokipakka, plus hopefully Kylington becomes a top four guy for the Flames.

I honestly would go that route, but I doubt management would see it the same way. The optics alone would be horrible.

[Finger Cookin]

No. Next #### topic.

[jayswin]

Holy ****, finger cookin you're absolutely insufferable these days. JiriHrdina's right, all you do is go into every thread and say how much you hate that the thread exists.

So stupid. What's the point?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I would likely be in the extreme minority with this opinion, but I would honestly think about exposing Giordano.

Not because I don't think he's extremely valuable to the team, but just because of that contract. He'll likely start to drop off in the next few years and then that's going to be a boat anchor.

So I'd see it as two alright outcomes:

A) Vegas looks at that contract and says "Yeesh, we can get veteran leadership via other avenues, we can't afford to commit that much to someone who may nto be a top defender in a couple years". Then we get to keep him and that's great. Or

B) They take him and although we expose a hole in our line-up, all of a sudden open up 6.75mil a year to our cap during these upcoming years where we're likely going to be in tough to sign all our young guys.

Plus, if we see Jokipakka as a legit top 4 guy, then you've got Brodie, Hamilton and Jokipakka, plus hopefully Kylington becomes a top four guy for the Flames.

I honestly would go that route, but I doubt management would see it the same way. The optics alone would be horrible.

You're not wrong but if Giordano is taken the media will have a field day.. who doesn't protect their captain?

[To Be Quite Honest]

Remember when we were all unhappy that Iginla was kept for too long? That's what Jayswin is saying.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

You're not wrong but if Giordano is taken the media will have a field day.. who doesn't protect their captain?

Oh yeah, definitely. I know it's a minority opinion and really just doesn't make sense from a management perspective even if it did make hockey sense.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

No. Next #### topic.

Security.

[icecube]

Why the hell would we expose him if we wanted to get rid of him? Why not trade him and actually get some assets? It's not like he's worthless? I guarantee some team out there would kill to have a top ten d man in the league even if he still has 6 years remaining. 6.75 isnt that huge a pill to swallow for a player of his calibre. A small risk worth taking for most teams.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Oh yeah, definitely. I know it's a minority opinion and really just doesn't make sense from a management perspective even if it did make hockey sense.

It actually crossed my mind when I started reading the thread. Tough decision but it is a good point.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Oh yeah, definitely. I know it's a minority opinion and really just doesn't make sense from a management perspective even if it did make hockey sense.

so let's take the 2nd option, 4 D

Eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goaltender

Gaudreau, Monahan, Backlund, Bennett right? are there 3 other forwards better than Kevin?

[SportsJunky]

Gio was a warrior out there tonight. He looked tremendous. I'd take him in the expansion draft if I was Vegas.

[icecube]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Gio was a warrior out there tonight. He looked tremendous. I'd take him in the expansion draft if I was Vegas.

Which is why it's a stupid suggestion that the Flames would give him away for nothing.

[The Fonz]

Protect 8 skaters:

Gaudreau
Monahan
Bennett
Backlund
Giordano
Brodie
Hamilton
Jokipakka

Leaves Frolik & Brouwer exposed.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

so let's take the 2nd option, 4 D

Eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goaltender

Gaudreau, Monahan, Backlund, Bennett right? are there 3 other forwards better than Kevin?

Geez, that's pretty tough just looking it now. Guys like Frolik and Brouwer would be hard to expose. Not irreplaceable and we did get both from free agency but it would still suck.

[Caged Great]

The entire management group should be fired if Giordano is exposed.

Might as well expose Gaudreau or Brodie while you're at it.

[GirlySports]

You can protect both Frolik and Brower plus one more! but can only protect Jokipakka exposing everyone. I think you have to protect 7 forwards and 3 D

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

The entire management group should be fired if Giordano is exposed.

Might as well expose Gaudreau or Brodie while you're at it.

Not the same, but I get your point.