Rutta 4ever
Joined: Sep. 2020
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 3,913
The issue I take with not protecting McDonagh is what other defenseman are we going to get that can outscore opposing teams by 20 goals when they're on the ice at even strength in the playoffs? The strength of the team is our left handed defensemen depth, and we should keep them all if we're still trying to win.
I think the fear of losing someone young might be overblown a bit. If we go 4-4 protection with:
Stamkos
Point
Kucherov
Cirelli
Hedman
McDonagh
Sergachev
Cernak
Then we're going to have great value players like Gourde, Killorn, and Palat available. If you're Seattle, why would you not take cup winning talent over a potential bust like Foote (potential simply because he hasn't proven to be a full-time player yet)? Without giving them incentive to take someone specific, I think we lose Gourde or Killorn.