Not sure what, if any, reason Edmonton would trade for Hanifin. We already have more LHD than we know what to do with. He’s never run a powerplay at the NHL level. What does he bring that we lack?
From the Carolina side of things, they’re definitely giving up a lot, but guys with Draisaitl’s elite #1 C upside are hard to find.
He’s got back to back 70 point seasons now.
Only one player younger than he is has more points than he does over the last two seasons (and I’m sure you can guess who).
He’s also emerging as an elite faceoff man, someone Edmonton can throw over the boards in key situations where they desperately need a win (56% on draws, good for 12th in the NHL among players to take more than 200 face offs).
The point is this. Yes, it’s a lot for Carolina to give up - and no, I still don’t think I’d pull the trigger if I were the GM. I like Aho, he’s going to be a bet good player in this league. I think Hanifin will be a top 4 defenceman for a very long time.
I would still say no and be pretty comfortable in doing so.