If they could make this deal without trading Carrick they could protect 8 skaters instead of 7F and 3D.
Protect: Kadri, Bozak, Brown, Leipsec, Rielly, Gardiner, Hamilton and Carrick.
Leaving Komarov, Martin, Leivo, Rychel and Marincin exposed. I don't think losing any one of those guys is a problem.
We could potentially run a D of:
Rielly-Zaitsev
Gardiner-Hamilton
Someone-Carrick
Looks pretty good on paper.
Does JVR as the main piece going back make sense for Calgary though?