The Colorado Avalanche traded for defenseman Sean Walker at the NHL Trade Deadline. It came at a steep cost as Colorado gave up their first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Walker was meant to be one of the final pieces of the Stanley Cup puzzle. However, things didn't work out as envisioned.
Walker played well with Colorado but experienced a notable dip in production. Before the trade, the 29-year-old scored six goals and 22 points with the Flyers. After the move, though, he scored just four goals and seven points in 18 games. Furthermore, Walker's average ice time dipped by nearly two minutes with the Avalanche.
In the end, Colorado didn't win the Stanley Cup. They beat the Winnipeg Jets in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But they met their match in round two. The Avalanche fell to the Dallas Stars in six games as Dallas advanced to the 2024 Western Conference Finals.
Now, Sean Walker sees his contract expire and hits NHL Free Agency on July 1. And he should have some teams lining up for his services this summer. With this in mind, here are the best destinations for the 29-year-old rearguard should he leave the Avalanche this offseason.
Hurricanes could be a suitor
The Carolina Hurricanes also fell short of winning the Stanley Cup in 2024. They have already made one change as general manager Don Waddell was allowed to resign from his position. Roster-related changes are expected to follow as Carolina attempts to pick up the pieces from another playoff disappointment.
The Hurricanes are expected to see free agent defenseman Brett Pesce walk. Pesce was a potential trade candidate before the season. And he's usually provided them with steady two-way production. However, he had a bit of a down season in 2023-24. If he does leave, Carolina could seek a replacement in NHL Free Agency.
Pesce is not Carolina's only right-shot defensive free agent. But he is one of their notable free agents. Given Walker's right-shot, he fits what the Hurricanes may be looking for. If Walker can maintain the offensive production he turned in this season, he would be a seamless replacement for Pesce. All in all, there is a fit in Carolina for the 29-year-old.
Maple Leafs need a defenseman
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been given a clean slate. Head coach Sheldon Keefe was let go after another first-round playoff exit. In his place is Stanley Cup champion Craig Berube. Toronto will certainly want to give Berube every opportunity to succeed, and that starts with filling holes in NHL Free Agency.
One area of need for the Maple Leafs is the right side of their defense. They addressed this ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline earlier in the year. Toronto traded for Ilya Lyubushkin and Joel Edmundson in separate deals. However, both players are headed for NHL Free Agency on July 1.
Sean Walker represents an upgrade over both players. He gives Toronto another offensive presence from the blueline. And he is responsible in his own zone. He may not be as physical as the other two, but he is an upgrade either way. The Maple Leafs have the cap space to make this work if they decide to pursue Walker on the open market.
Sean Walker could fit with Stars
Finally, the 29-year-old defender could join the team that beat him. The Stars were one of the NHL's best defensive teams this past season. And for the most part, they maintained this standard in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That said, Dallas is set to lose one of their most important pieces on the blueline.
Veteran defenseman Chris Tanev is an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Dallas acquired the 34-year-old rearguard from the Calgary Flames earlier in the season. And he instantly made an already elite Stars defense even better. He played an important role for them in their run to the Western Conference Finals.
Dallas certainly wants to hold onto Tanev and keep him from NHL Free Agency. However, this is easier said than done. And in the event that Tanev leaves, they'll need to figure out a replacement. Walker is not as defensively sound as Tanev. But he doesn't sacrifice defense for offense and generally plays responsible hockey in his own zone.
The Stars want to contend for the Stanley Cup in 2025. And they'll look for players who can help them both through trade and in NHL Free Agency. Sean Walker is certainly someone who can help Dallas remain contenders and make another deep playoff run next year.
Follow Us
Subscribe