2. The Jets Will Trade Andrew Copp This Season
Andrew Copp is in a mix of players that could be left unprotected by the Jets in the expansion draft and would likely be of interest to the Kraken as a second or third line center. As we learned from the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft, NHL teams will try to make deals before the draft to get a return on players likely to lose.
Copp went to salary arbitration with the Jets in 2019 and will be due for another raise in salary when his contract expires at the end of this season. According to The Athletic, History does not favor players who have gone to salary arbitration staying with their teams long term (Subscription required).
General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff may be wise to consider protecting younger, cheaper players like Jansen Harkins or Mason Appleton rather than overpay Copp who is valuable and versatile but is a bottom six forward on the Jets.
I also think that the Jets will re-sign Adam Lowry over Andrew Copp as he brings a level of physical play that no other forward presently on the Jets does.