Quoting: PuzzledActuary
I was thinking Hanifin too but it creates some questions:
1) how expensive (will probably need to include a 1st)
2) assumedly the plan would be to re-sign him - that's at least $6M a year and there goes any idea of Nylander or other FA target
3) creates logjam with Edvinsson next year - don't really see the point of playing Ed 3rd pair minutes or paying Hanifin $6M to be a 3rd pair
4) if Larkin and Compher are out for some time this team will fall out of the playoff race anyway. Not a time to jump on a trade.
1) Yea that's what I'm not sure about. Is Steve willing to part with another 1st? How much does Calgary value a guy like Berggren/other prospects we might be willing to move?
2) This would only be to re-sign the guy, no rentals, we aren't there yet. In on Nylander or not, I don't think you pass up a guy like Hanafin(if the front office values him) just for a shot at Nylander.
3) Doesn't really create a logjam with Edvinsson, Ghost is a free agent, he would just take his role for a rookie working his way into the NHL. No matter how good Edvinsson looks this year, assuming he's ready to be a dominant NHL player right away is a little much. He may score for us, but could take some time to learn to defend at this level. Ghost only averages 19+ a night. Hanafin replaces Chiarot, Edvinsson replaces Ghost, and you bump the other guy's (Chiarot, Holl, Petry) minutes down.
4) This I half agree with, don't add just for this year. Not saying Hanafin is the answer specifically, but if the trade we make is for a guy we have locked up for a few years that fits our rebuild (Hanafin being 26 does) then you don't look at the trade as if we're pushing for this year. The trade is meant for the future, with the possibility of propping us up until Larkin/Compher are back. You're not gunna turn down a way to make your team better just because Larkin and Compher are hurt.