youd need to trade for his rights to get the 8th year but I think he also gets more. probably 8x7 or 7x7.285

True, but trading for his rights wouldn't be an issue if he made it clear leading up to ufa that he was signing I'm Tampa. They'd give Vegas a 6th or something. There was some smoke out there that an extension was pretty close with Tampa in this range(maybe 6.75) had he been traded to Tampa. Again, I think it's a large mistake to sign Hanifin with the defensemen they already have, but it is possible.

Wrong, Trading for a player's rights doesn't guarantee the 8th year? Only Vegas right now can do 8 years. Tampa and Vegas would need to do a sign and trade for 8 years. Player rights only guarantee you first dibs to sign the player until free agency.

I guess Tampa could only offer him 7 years regardless of whether they trade for his rights. Oh well, they'd still make it work if that was their plan and Hanifin wanted Tampa(still hope not though).

I thought they can do 8? Or a sign and trade with Vegas

They can do a sign and trade maybe, but I think there's a clause in the cba that prevents a player from extending for 8 years with any team except the one they were on at the deadline. I could be wrong though.