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Kevin Allen: What NHL teams SHOULD or SHOULDN’T do in the second half

January 19, 2022, 7:56 PM ET [2 Comments]
Kevin Allen
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Should they or Shouldn’t They. Let’s Play

The Arizona Coyotes trade Jakob Chychrun
They shouldn’t: If the Coyotes are truly rebuilding, why do they want to trade away a 23-year-old top pairing defenseman with a desirable cap hit? They are asking for a king’s ransom. Essentially, they want a Jack Eichel-like return. But there is no guarantee the Coyotes will end up with a player as valuable as Chychrun. Most rebuilding teams would love to start with an affordable top pairing defenseman.

Los Angeles Kings push all in to make the playoffs

They should: This team is the sleeper in the Pacific Division. The Kings are more ready than people realize. Los Angeles ranks ninth in goals-against average. They have plenty of quality young players. Would love to see them be aggressive in the trade market and reel in a couple of scorers. They can afford to trade away draft picks. They have only made the playoffs twice in the seven seasons since they last won the Stanley Cup. It’s time to be bold again.

Colorado Avalanche attempt to trade for Marc-Andre Fleury

They should: This is asking a lot because the Avalanche don’t have the salary cap space to add the $7 million Fleury. But this Avalanche team has so much offensive might and pure skill to stand pat. When you have this kind of chance to win it all, you do everything you can to make it happen. We don’t know whether their goaltending is good enough. But we would be confident if Fleury was in the mix.

Detroit Red Wings do everything they can to make the playoffs

They shouldn’t: This rebuild isn’t complete, not even close. No matter what they do, they aren’t likely to catch the Boston Bruins. The Red Wings are better served if GM Steve Yzerman gets another early draft pick. In his first three drafts, Yzerman has found Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson. That’s a trifecta of impact players. They need a lottery pick more than an ill-fated run to make the playoffs.

Calgary Flames trade for Tyler Toffoli
They should: Coach Darryl Sutter has the Flames playing a playoff style of defense. The goaltending is strong enough. They rank third in goals-against. Hearing Sutter wants to add a scorer. He knows Toffoli. Give the man the player he wants. Toffoli’s cap is reasonable ($4.25 million). This will have to be an old fashioned hockey deal, except the Flames have to open up some cap space. Make it happen.


Nashville Predators make re-signing Filip Forsberg the highest priority

They should: The Predators are a bit gun shy when it comes to lucrative long-term contracts because Ryan Johansen’s and Matt Duchene’s deals didn’t pay off until this season. But Forsberg deserves the longer term and the top dollar. He should expect to receive his eight years and an average salary above Duchene’s and Johansen’s $8 million. He’s tracking toward scoring more than 25 goals for the sixth season. He would have probably done it two other times had COVID hadn't gotten in the way.
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