Welcome to another edition of the Hockeybuz hotstove.
With Andrej Sekera still unsigned beyond this season, it's becoming increasingly likely that he'll be moved before the trade deadline.
In this edition of the hotstove we'll look at which teams would be the best fit for Sekera's services.
Todd Cordell: Dallas There are several teams who Sekera would fit in with but - assuming Carolina can't sign him - I think the team that needs him the most is the Dallas Stars.
The Stars have improved defensively since the beginning of the season, but they're still not exactly considered stingy.
Sekera is an established top-4 defenseman who can drive possession, make good outlets and chip in offensively. He can play in all situations and, for a team so close to the playoffs, would be a worthwhile addition.
Ryan Wilson: Detroit I feel as though Detroit is a team flying under the radar and they have the potential to get even better. They are the fifth ranked team in Score-Adjusted Fenwick with 53.2% and that is with a pretty bland defense corp.
Detroit has above average goaltending with an EVSV% of .928% and if they can bump their possession metrics up even higher they may be the handful they used to be back from 2007-2009.
Andrej Sekera is exactly the skilled type of defenseman that would flourish in Detroit. Sekera is a rental but it probably would be in Detroit's best interest to make him a permanent part of the equation once acquiring him.
Adam French: Dallas The Stars are close. They're close to being a playoff team, but not there. Their defense is simply not strong enough in the Western Conference. I could also argue that Colorado would be a good spot for Sekera, but let's stay with the Stars. When you look at the Stars defense it's practically 6 guys you could argue are offense first defenders. Klingberg, Goligoski, Daley, Benn and Demers were all more or less known for their offensive game first. Though admittedly each has adjusted a bit at the NHL level. Sekera is a quiet defender who can eat up time and also provide a bit of scoring himself...though stabilizing plays are what he's best known for.
What do you give for Sekera? An interesting prospect? A second round pick? It's hard to place value on a top-4 defender at the deadline. We've seen a VERY marginal top-4 guy in Douglas Murray go for two seconds, yet a first line disgruntled player go for a junk prospect and a 2nd in Gaborik. If the Stars can get him for a 2nd round pick and a prospect like Elie or Faksa, that would be a good deal in my books.
Tim Chiasson: San Jose The Sharks need defensive help in a big way. Doug Wilson said he isn't going to acquire rental players for a playoff push, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't grab Sekera and sign him before the market opens on July 1st.
With average to below average goaltending the Sharks need a better defensive group. Things aren't getting better in the cage via free agency for the Sharks this year either with the likes of Enroth on the market so the focus needs to be on getting a top four defender.
It's a move that is good for the Sharks now, and in the coming years.
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