The holiday season is a time to give gifts to show how much you appreciate others, but hungry front offices around the NHL have already begun to think about what they want to receive instead. What exactly does your team need the most this year? We’ve asked this same question for the last two years, and gotten very different answers.
2016 was the year of the top-four defenseman, with Kevin Shattenkirk dominating headlines as one of the top targets. Shattenkirk was eventually dealt to the Washington Capitals in a deal that certainly didn’t turn out as well as they hoped. The Capitals would be knocked out of the playoffs once again, and the offensive defenseman would hit unrestricted free agency only to sign with a division rival.
In 2017 readers were more focused on a scoring winger, with Evander Kane the big prize that everyone was discussing. Kane would eventually find his way to the San Jose Sharks, who liked him so much that they handed him a seven-year $49MM extension just a few months later. That extension cost them a conditional draft pick as well, but Kane seemed to fit in beautifully with the Sharks down the stretch. Though he’s still been fine for the team, a pace of 23 goals and 49 points isn’t exactly what the Sharks were hoping for out of their $7MM man.
This season’s trade deadline is shaping up to have even more talent available than previous years, and teams could very well acquire a game-changing player at any position. So if your team had a chance to pick up a piece in early January for a run at the playoffs, or to solidify their status as a Cup contender, what would it be? Cast your vote below and be sure to leave a comment explaining your decision.
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For the Habs, a long term top pair LD option.
For the Sharks-cohesiveness and more physicality
For the Blackhawks: a new GM
A scoring wing to keep Krejci rolling
For the Rangers: A captain/leadership
For the Oilers, half a team to pair with the half that can keep up with McDavid.
Hurricanes: scoring, please!!
For the Blues, a consistent effort EVERY night. Especiallly on home ice.
Red Wings: 3 new starting defensemen and Zadina called up
Jack Hughes