Quoting: CD282
Now look at goal differential.
Right. Totally.
But his even strength points last year were better than Klefbom's, or any other EDM blueliner except Nurse.
Now factor in that Ottawa let in 40 more even strength goals last year than Edmonton, and Ceci played 7:30 more per night than Benning, with 6% tougher zone starts, and I think it's within the realm of possibility that they're not that different, defensively. Ceci also played twice as much penalty kill last year as Benning (2:29 per night vs 1:14) which could have left him a bit winded at evens, if they're in equally good shape?
If not Girardi, why not trade Benning for Ceci to add offense, and then sign another young, established NHL defenseman to replace Benning's marginal defensive ability? 26 year old Joe Morrow was on pace for 14 points last year and an even plus/minus. Frederik Claeson in 37 games was on pace for about 15 and +6? There are probably options around 1M who are almost as good as Benning, and only a little bit older.
Or you could trade a forward prospect for a Marcus Pettersson (unsigned RFA the Pens might not be able to afford around 2M, who got 19 even strength points last year to Benning's 16. Pitt probably doesn't mind if he holds out) or Christian Djoos (signed at 1.25. Was on pace for 18.... but finished the season with seven points in 18 games... on pace for 31, if he can keep that up this year--better than Ceci).