Tampa Bay Lightning Unpopular Opinion: Trade Alex Killorn Now

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in control of the NHL and are at the very top of the league in points in the standings and points on the board. But they should still be trying to trade someone.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the best team in the NHL right now. They’re also so hot right now. With league leaders in Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, they look to have everything they need for a deep playoff run. So why does it make sense for them to trade off a piece at the NHL trade deadline?

It’s because that piece is Alex Killorn. At some point, his contract will need to come off the Lightning’s books so that they can afford extensions for several players. Yes, Killorn only makes $4.45 million, but that can still help Tampa in the future.

Why This is Unpopular

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This is unpopular because Killorn has 16 points so far this season, and has been a valuable part of the third line with Tyler Johnson and a rotating wing. He is playing 15 minutes a game and is taking a defensive brunt, including being seventh on the team in penalty kill minutes. Killorn has played 49:43 shorthanded over the course of the season.

That should be an unpopular player to move. Of Killorn’s 16 points, 10 are primary, which means he either scored or was the direct pass leading to that score. That’s pretty good, especially for somebody only playing 15 minutes.

Killorn is also getting work done on the power play, where he has six points, with two primary assists. He’s a player who can play on all three units and do it well. That’s why the Tampa Bay Lightning gave him the contract they did, and on a few teams, he would be a top-six winger. So it should be unpopular to trade Killorn, especially before the playoffs.

Why The Lightning Should Trade Killorn Now

But that’s why the Tampa Bay Lightning should trade him somewhere between now and the trade deadline. Killorn’s value may never be higher than it is right now. With multiple contending teams still looking for an offensive boost, that’s something Killorn can provide.

And the Lightning can replace his production somewhat easily. This season they have players like Adam Erne, Matthew Peca, Alexander Volkov, and Michael Bournival waiting in the wings who can hit Killorn’s two-goal mark easily. Volkov especially represents an exciting prospect who would bring a lot of offensive fire to the same position.

The Tampa Bay Lightning may also be able to nurse a defensive prospect out of the Killorn trade, a need for the future of the team, as well as valuable cap space. That will be a great trade for the Tampa Bay Lightning to make, even as they remain in contention.

Again, his value may never be higher. Right now, there’s no rush for the Lightning to trade a player to get cap space. This offseason, should the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Cup or even go deep in the playoffs, there will be. They have a contract extension for both Cedric Pacquette and Vladislav Namestnikov coming up. They’re going to need room, which means teams can force them into a trade easier.

Why This Works for the Future

It opens up room for Namestnikov to get a contract extension he’s happy with, keeping him on board with the team so that he gives the team a long-term friendly extension like Stamkos and Victor Hedman have done. It also opens up millions in the books for a Kucherov long-term extension and for the younger defensemen like Jake Dotchin and Slater Koekkoek when their time comes.

When the team you root for has to move someone to keep the team together, it’s an unfortunate scenario. But that’s what’s happened to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and it’s actually a good thing. It means there are multiple players this team wants to keep around for a long time. Which is nice.

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So trading Killorn can be a factor in making that all happen. Even with his success as a playmaker, why not trade him? With two goals, he’s not the most exciting player, and bringing up a youthful player with a ton of energy worked well for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Who says Volkov wouldn’t work out for the Lightning, especially being surrounded by lots of Russian talent.

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