This is a great f***ing trade for us.
My breakdown.
We get:
Noah Hanifin is basically a LH version of Hamilton that is 3" shorter and and 4 years younger. I would also argue that Hanifin is probably already as good as Hamilton in actual defensive play and significantly better in discipline. The difference is offensive play and Hanifin will grow into a 40+ point defenseman.
Elias Lindholm is essentially a RH Backlund that plays more physical. He's still growing offensively and playing with Gaudreau and Monahan will be his opportunity to break out in that regard. Adding his defensive play to the top line will be an absolute f***ing godsend, now suddenly 75% of the defensive responsibility on that line doesn't fall on Monahan.
They get:
Dougie Hamilton is easily the centerpiece of this deal. Losing Hamilton sucks, no doubt. But Hamilton is not without his flaws, he is most definitely the definition of an offensive defenseman, his defensive play is the weak part of his game, it's not bad, but it is only average. I am of the believe that Dougie will never be a #1 because of his defensive play and is currently only a 2/3. I am not a huge Brodie fan, but I think our top pairing was better with Brodie and Giordano than Hamilton and Giordano.
Micheal Ferland is a good third line winger, that can move up into the top 6 when in a pinch. He however is not consistent enough to be a regular top 6 forward and isn't good enough defensively to be on a defensive line. Ferland needs to be more consistent, not just offensively, but physically before he can be a legitimate top 6 forward.
Adam Fox as I have said for a while I think is massively overrated. He's smaller, doesn't skate well and is average at best defensively in the NCAA, he will get eaten alive as a pro. I think Kylington is a better prospect than Fox and I've been harsh on Kylington in the last couple years after being one of the guys that wanted him in the 1st round.
