3 forwards the Red Wings must avoid in NHL free agency

Viktor Arvidsson, Los Angeles Kings

Whether he sticks with the Los Angeles Kings or goes elsewhere, someone will get a phenomenal veteran in Viktor Arvidsson. He’s been such a good player in this league that, as with Anthony Mantha, not a single fan should be too disappointed if Arvidsson ended up with the Red Wings. 

Sure, he saw time in just 18 games this season, but he also made them count with 15 points and six goals. He was still playing well in the defensive zone, inconveniencing opponents either by preventing shots from reaching the net with 18 blocks or poking the puck away with his stick. The latter means Arvidsson would be one of those forwards who would also give the Red Wings much-needed assistance in the defensive zone. 

But for me, the problem is this: He came across as injury-prone this past season, and a team on the verge of ending a playoff drought cannot afford to invest in a high-risk player regardless of the rewards. 

It would be one thing if Arvidsson returned and stayed healthy following a 60-game layoff because of a back operation. But he instead almost immediately returned to injured reserve after playing in just a handful of games before he finally got healthy.