Exactly. Benning didn't acquire him for his amazing point totals in Florida. He acquired him to be a physical presence that emboldens and protects the team. Regardless of what wankers like Friedman, Yost, Brough, Botchford, McIntrye, and the rest of the tools who've never actually played the game professionally think, Benning knows Gudbranson's real worth, and will make the best pitch he can to keep him.
It'll really come down to what Gudbranson wants in the end.
It is, and I hate to flog a dead horse, but it comes down to the leadership. The Sedins and Edler always made teams pay on the scoresheet. They have always shied away from defending themselves or other teammates in scrums. They certainly are leaders when it comes to how to prepare yourself for each game, but as far as emotional leaders, they're extremely lacking, and I personally can't see how they would inspire confidence in the team to stand up for each other at all.
Gudbranson is one of the more intimidating players in the league. He got the best of Lucic in the first game of the season, and neutralized Malkin in the win over Pittsburgh. He manhandled Tom Wilson, exposing him for the chump he is.
Losing Gudbranson without replacing his physical presence would ring the dinner bell and signal to the rest of the league, that Vancouver is, once again, a team that can be literally hit and beaten off it's game, just like they were in the Finals.