Quoting: Hammerwise
Definitely, it looks like LAK will most likely lose a dman in expansion, and Maata is a candidate. Its also about Ghosts game, (based on this year), he can take some of the production responisibility off some of the youngsters, and played capably in defense. He buys LAK time to develop and bring along their young dmen and with just 2 yrs left on contract and playing well, hes a more tradeable commodity (especially after next year and hes only 28).
As for the waivers thing, it was a complicated risk that Ghost was put on waivers (PHI had injuries at forward but were carrying 8dmen and 3 goalies, Ghost just happened to be the best bet to not get picked up off waivers, and then Ghost really hit his stride after the temporary waivers), but just because he wasnt picked up then, doesn;t mean he isnt now.
He wound up with 19 mins a night, on pace for 40+ pts and played well defensively, I think thats worth a late 3rd and 4th in a draft that has lacked evaluation to any team that has cap space and need.
Ghost is a player that is given 19 minutes a night due to special teams and offensive zone starts, in his career, he has never been higher than 44% starts in the defensive zone. He has been on ice for 36 goals against when at even strength (so far this season), not sure that is offset by him being on track for 40 points. I disagree that he has been good at both ends of the ice, and think he would be a poor tutor for the youth movement of defensemen coming up. He is a defensive liability for Philly who allows more points scored against than he provides and will likely be waived again at the beginning of the season.
Even in the unlikely case where Maata is selected by Seattle, the Kings desperately need a defensively responsible player who also can help playmaking, Ghost isn't it. The Kings have an excess of picks and prospects, but they aren't looking for Ghost, they are looking at Werenski, Dahlin, or top-line LD free agents to play with Doughty. Blake needs to show Kings brass that the Kings are making a big step forward, obtaining ghost would be a bad move for a GM who is getting close to his prove-it or get fired years.