what a weird post and IMO a swing & a miss. and the funny thing isn't that I disagree about Grzelcyk's shortcomings. I actually agree with
@LouJersey that he's ideally a 3rd pair D. I'd greatly prefer to have 2 other LD that can bump him down to the 3rd pair but would also be totally willing to part with him in the right scenario.
What I disagree with is:
1. suggesting that we should let Seattle take him for free
2. framing the anti-Gryz argument as a choice between Gryz & Clifton
I like Cliffton don't love the idea of losing him either, but this argument is such a weird way to approach this topic. These 2 are not competing for the same spot on the depth chart so that's the first senseless thing about this debate. Then you basically cherry pick "important numbers" designed to make Clifton look better while ignoring a slew of numbers that favor Gryz (for example Clifton being on the ice for 4 PP goals against in this playoffs and having only a marginally better ES goal differential than Gryz). And to be clear, I agree with you regarding Grzelcyk's overall value to the team, I just think you're not doing yourself any favors by framing the argument in this way. Clifton is a good bottom pair D and a loveable player, but there is basically no scenario in which he is more than a 3rd pair RD on this team when everyone is healthy. There's no way they'd swap him full time to the left side and move him up and while I agree that his hitting game is a huge asset, the rest of his game is pretty mediocre and he has never really shown an ability to play higher in the lineup. He got exploited pretty badly once Carlo went down this year, for example.
Now if your concern is that exposing Clifton means he's gone and then we're stuck with the more expensive Grzelcyk, that's a chance I'm willing to take because I think Gryz has more trade value. With that said I think there's a good chance they pass on Clifton anyway, but it just depends on their needs at the time. They could just as easily take a Lauzon or a Ritchie.
I think Grzelcyk has more value than Clifton and for that reason alone he's the guy I'd protect in the expansion draft, but ideally I'd see both guys replaced or at least force Clifton into a full time 7th D role. Now, if Seattle wants to offer a draft pick in exchange for us exposing Gryz then I'd be all ears.