Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

 The Arizona Coyotes have made it clear that they are rebuilding, and have already taken steps towards that process by trading away Oliver Ekman Larsson and Darcy Kuemper, as well as adding numerous draft picks over the next three seasons for taking on bad contracts. As good a job as the Coyotes have done so far, they are far from done, and I suspect they will be making a few more trades before the season. It will be a long process, but in time, the Coyotes could become a contending time in three years. This is what the Arizona Coyotes should do to become a contending team in three years. Before the season, the Arizona Coyotes make a few major trades: Arizona Coyotes trade Phil Kessel to the Colorado Avalanche for JT Compher, Valeri Nishushkin, and a 2023 2nd round pick. If Kessel re-signs with the Avalanche, the Coyotes get Colorado's 2024 1st round pick. This is a win-win trade for both teams; the Avalanche get Phil Kessel to play alongside Nazem Kadri on the second line, while t...

 The Arizona Coyotes have never won a Stanley Cup in their franchise history, so my goal is to turn the Arizona Coyotes into a Championship caliber team. It will take some time to do so, but the Coyotes could potentially be a Stanley Cup Champion if they rebuild correctly. At the Expansion draft, the Coyotes make a major trade. The Arizona Coyotes trade Phil Kessel to the Seattle Kraken for their 2023 1st round pick. Phil Kessel gives the Seattle Kraken a household name that can draw people to the game, and at the same time give Kessel a change of scenery. Arizona Coyotes lose Antti Raanta to the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion draft. Before the 2021 Draft, two trades are made: Arizona Coyotes trade the rights to Niklas Hjalmarsson, Derick Brassard to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the rights to Blake Coleman. This is a good trade for both teams because the Lightning probably isn't going to be able to re-sign Coleman, so they get two veteran players who could be signed for a cheap co...

 The San Jose Sharks have never won a Stanley Cup in their franchise history, but if they make the proper changes and draft correctly, they could win Lord Stanley's Cup. This is how the San Jose Sharks could win their first-ever Stanley Cup. Before the expansion draft, one trade is made: San Jose Sharks trade Marc-Eduord Vlasic, Ryan Merkley, 1st rd pick '23 to the Seattle Kraken for 2nd rd pick '23. The Sharks retain 25% of Vlasic's contract until the 2024-25 season. This trade allows the Sharks to get rid of Vlasic's contract and trade away Ryan Merkely, who is ultra-talented but his discipline issues. San Jose Sharks lose Marcus Sorensen to the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion Draft. Before the 2021 Draft, two trades are made: San Jose Sharks trade Ryan Donato, Radim Simek, Noah Gregor to the Arizona Coyotes for Lawson Crouse, Tyler Pitlick, 4th rd pick '21. The Sharks add more physicality to the lineup with the additions of Lawson Crouse and Tyler Pitlick, wh...

 The Vancouver Canucks have been flat-out terrible this season, and they are far from being a Stanley Cup caliber team. So I will be taking on the Challenge of rebuilding the team in an attempt to bring the first Stanley Cup to Vancouver. Before the Expansion Draft, the Vancouver Canucks make one trade: Vancouver Cancuks trade Braden Holtby, Brandon Sutter to the Detroit Red Wings for 2021 2nd round pick.  Vancouver Canucks get a 2nd round pick in exchange for Braden Holtby and Brandon Sutter. Vancouver Canucks lose Olli Juolevi to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft.      Before the 2021 draft, two trades are made: Alex Edler is traded to the Buffalo Sabres for Linus Ullmark. The Canucks and Sabres swap pending UFAs and they both fill much-needed holes on their roster with this trade. The Canucks also trade Tanner Pearson, Jake Virtanen, Jay Beagle to the St.Louis Blues for Jordan Kyrou, Zach Sanford, 2021 3rd round pick. This is a good deal for bot...

 The Dallas Stars are an aging team, and with the injuries to Seguin and Bishop, the Stars should consider rebuilding. The Stars would benefit in the long run if they were to move some of the older veteran players for some picks and prospects. At the trade deadline, the Dallas Stars make a few trades: Dallas Stars trade Ben Bishop to the St.Louis Blues for Jordan Kyrou, and a 2022 2nd round pick.  Ben Bishop is a great goalie when healthy but with Khudobin and Oettinger on board, the Stars no longer need Bishop. The Stars also trade Alex Radulov to the Detroit Red Wings for Vladislav Namestnikov, 2021 2nd round pick (from NYR), and a 2nd round pick (from EDM). The Red Wings acquire a marquee player to bolster their lineup for Vladislav Namestnikov and two 2nd round picks. The Dallas Stars finish the 2020-21 season with the 12th worst record in the league but end up with the 3rd pick in the draft. Before the 2021 draft, the Dallas Stars make one major trade: Dallas Stars trade ...

 The Columbus Blue Jackets are a borderline playoff team, however, if they make improvements to their team, they could be even better. Making some improvements to the roster should guarantee that Columbus becomes a contending team. Columbus Blue Jackets trade David Savard to the Ottawa Senators for Logan Brown, Vitaly Abramov, a 2nd round pick '21. The Blue Jackets acquire two great young prospects in Brown and Abramov, as well as a 2nd round pick for David Savard. Nick Foligno, Mikhail Grigorenko is traded to the Edmonton Oilers for Adam Larsson, Zack Kassian, 2nd round pick 2022. Columbus gets Adam Larsson, a top 4 defenseman, and Zack Kassian, a top 9 forward for Nick Foligno and Mikhail Grigorenko. Columbus Blue Jackets re-sign Pierre Luc Dubois to an 8 yr deal worth 6 million per season. The Columbus Blue Jackets miss the playoffs in the 2020-21 season; they end up with the 14th pick in the draft. Before the 2021 Draft, Columbus trades Gustav Nyquist, Max Domi to the Victor Ra...

 After losing Taylor Hall in Free Agency, the Arizona Coyotes did little to nothing to fix the team due to the fact they are stuck with many bad contracts, so if the Coyotes want to build a legitimate contender, they must first move some salary and dump off some bad contracts. Arizona Coyotes make a few trades: Arizona Coyotes trade Alex Goligoski to the Carolina Hurricanes for Haydn Fleury, 2nd rd pick '21. The Hurricanes get a veteran two way defenseman in Alex Goligoski, while the Coyotes get a young top 6 defenseman in Haydn Fleury and a 2nd round pick. The Coyotes also trade Derek Stepan to the Ottawa Senators for Chris Tierney, Connor Brown, 2nd rd pick '21.  The Sens get a veteran 2nd line center in Derek Stepan, which will allow their young centers to develop at the right pace. The Coyotes get Chris Tierney, a top 6 center and Connor Brown, a top 9 winger as well as a 2nd round pick. Darcy Kuemper is traded to the Buffalo Sabres for Linus Ullmark, Tage Thompson, 2nd rd...