How do we know he is taken though?

They arent taking Gio unless paid to and Calgary's not gon a do that. Even if Gio goes to Seattle that wont trigger a rebuild, it just opens up cap space. Debrusk does not have that kind of value

Why do you think they wouldn't take him? I certainly would if he were left available. He's a respected player, leader, and still has plenty of talent. That's a guy you could probably get a solid deal for as a rental with money retained.

I guess, but at 1 year left and very clear regression I think they grab someone younger. Besides their D-core is going to be stacked regardless

I think the value they could get for Giordano is probably more than what they'll get out of a different, younger player. Could see a 1st round pick + coming back to them. Doesn't feel like there's much downside to picking him. Easy selection if he's left available, imo.

I'd pick Välimaki instead of him. Tanev-Hanifin-Andersson will be protected

Valimaki is exempt

He's exempt

My bad I thought he was not but I guess the season he missed doesn't count as a year.

I guess, I feel like Calgary will end up paying a 3rd to protect him tbh. Then they probably take Kylington or Gawdin

I'd try to swing a deal to keep him if I were Calgary, but as Seattle, I'd be asking for more than a 3rd.

Idk if its really worth more to protect him than that for the Flames. Hanifin has established himself as the #1 LD moving forward for the time being and Valimaki could probably learn a lot more next to Tanev on the 2nd pair next year. I personally feel Gio would be manning the 3rd pair PK and some PP time. He definitely cant keep playing 24 minutes a night (in Sutters interview after the Edmonton game he even said Gio and Tanev played too much, but that's also due to loosing Hanifin for the year), I would say 18 minutes max by next season. Like Boston did with Chara.

I think you're right. There's certainly a limit to what I'd pay to keep him. But from a Seattle perspective, I don't think a 3rd is gonna cut it. I think the best option for them is to pick Gio and flip him.