it hasn't been 2 games yet. You can't count the 3-2 loss to the Jets as Bennett didn't play consistently with them in the 2nd and 3rd periods.
Really depends on whether or not he succeeds. Honestly, the most value he holds right now, is the question as to if he can be a top 6 player. If he fails with Johnny and Monahan, then that question is gone.
Expect that its an expansion draft and Bennett has requested a trade. If we don't grant his request, we won't be able to protect him anyways, so essentially he's a UFA, that we have no chance of retaining. Martinez buys Valimaki another year of development and its hard to imagine a bet fit than Tuch
I found the line looked ok except for a couple of times where Bennett and Gaudreau seemed to get crossed up but those both resulted in decent shots/scoring opportunities. I really think they need to give it a few games what do they have to lose. They have given Leivo, Simon, and others a few games and none of them clicked.
In other words we trade Hanifin so we don't lose Bennett in expansion? Hanifin would be one of the guys we protect on defense and is looking like the 5 OA guy the Flames traded for. Valimaki's development is on the path of replacing Giordano sooner than later, making the rest of the d-core older would force him into top pairing time sooner than necessary because Martinez is 33 and a UFA, and Giordano is on the decline. Hanifin IS the stop-gap you'd want Martinez to be and is also a potential 1st pairing guy. Getting Tuch would rock but doing so with other assets would be a much better look for the team long-term
It'd be pretty hard to imagine a potentially attainable better fit, with either of the top 2 lines, than Tuch. With an open protection spot on the defense, there's a number of potential options for LD, beyond this year. I mean, Dunn perhaps. The Blues are rumored to be looking for a 1st for him but prices could drop, as we get closer to the draft.
Tuch is the dream player to add to this team. A 24 year old 6’4 222 pound right shot wing who has 8 points in 9 games and paced for 60 two seasons ago. He is everything we need.
We could always dump Ryan to a 3rd team if we need cap space
I don't think the Flames stance on Hanifin has changed a whole lot. Hes on pace for 22 points over 82 games. The defensive side of things look better but a large part of that is Tanev. Hes been rumored to be available, in the right trade, before and I don't think thats changed.
