Makes no sense to protect Skjei over Bean. Skjei hadn't been good and is overpaid. High chance he wouldn't get taken when left exposed anyways but I highly doubt they protect him over Bean

I’ll accept an argument that Skjei might be overpaid, but he’s hasn’t been bad. Actually, he’s been quite serviceable as a 2nd pairing LHD and penalty killer. He’s fit quite well in Carolina.

My guess is you didn’t watch Bean play much

I've watched Bean play for years - likely longer than you have. He hasn't turned out as planned so far, but defence generally take a bit longer to develop due to mobility development. I highly doubt a team would be willing to give up on a guy like Bean so early knowing that he still has development time left.

That being said, I think you need to rethink what a 2nd pair defenceman is. A guy can be the best penalty killer in the league, but if there's not offence to his game then he's not a "serviceable 2nd pair guy". Skjei has 11 points in 59 games with Carolina - that's not good for a second pair defenceman. He's a third pair guy that's highly overpaid and was overpaid based on potential that didn't work out.

I’ll just leave this here TrueCanuck …

I know that Skjei can play 30 mins in a playoff game if he has to. I’ve seen it multiple times just this year when Slavin was out. I don’t (and neither do the Canes) trust Bean with anything more than sheltered 9 mins per night and some PP time.

I was very pro-Bean heading into this year, and was quite pleased when he first got his shot in the lineup. He was piling up the points and looking strong. The problem is that NHL teams figured him out. He just isn’t strong enough on his skates to be a consistently good Top 4 defenseman in the NHL. He is a third pairing Offensive defenseman who is good on the PP. I can find that as a UFA. I can’t find what Skjei brings as easily without giving up assets or paying just as much.

Canes protect Slavin, Pesce and Skjei, let Seattle choose between Bean and a few other forwards. That’s the way it goes.

All of this is fair but I think it’s still to early to give up on Bean personally. This is the make or break year for him - needs to have a good offseason and put on some weight and muscle and see if he can improve in his first full season.

Would be great if Seattle took Fast or Foegele and left both (or Gardiner but that’s a dream scenario)

Is Slavin also a 3rd pair guy? He only put up 15 points in 52 games.

I don't even disagree that we should protect Bean over Skjei, but basing a players role on the amount of points they put up is rediculous

Nice comparison.. an elite defensive defenceman and a mediocre defensive defenceman. When a player is as elite as Slavin, the offence doesn't matter. Skjei is mediocre at best defensively, and awful offensively. That doesn't make him a top 4 guy. But sure, if you think that does have fun losing to elite teams every season and never getting over the hump!