The Detroit Red Wings are looking to end their playoff drought. They have not made the playoffs since 2016.
Currently, Detroit is second in the Atlantic Division with 70 points through 55 games played.
While they only lead the two wild card teams by three points, they lead teams sitting outside a wild card spot by 11 points.
Still, Detroit needs to improve on offense and defense. They only rank 18th in goals per game and 17th in shots allowed per game.
Steve Yzerman is looking to make moves at the trade deadline to boost the Red Wings’ roster.
NHL Trade Rumors: Detroit Red Wings Looking To Add Number 2 Center & Right-Shot Defenseman
Steve Yzerman is seeking to bring in a center and a right-shot defenseman who are under contract past this season. This means that the asking prices are only going to be higher. Unfortunately, there are not many superstars available at the deadline, let alone those who are under contract past this season.
Still, the Detroit Red Wings have draft picks at their disposal. The only draft picks the Red Wings do not own are their 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick over the next four years. Marco Kasper could be involved for teams looking to add him. This makes trade negotiations a bit easier.
Some centers fit the bill for what Yzerman and the Red Wings are looking for.
- Naze Kadri: Kadri is under contract for three more seasons at $7 million per year with the Flames
- Vincent Trocheck: Trocheck is under contract with the New York Rangers through the 2028-29 season
- Elias Pettersson: Pettersson is under contract with the Vancouver Canucks all the way up to the 2031-32 season
All three centers would be a boost to Detroit’s second line. Whichever of these centers the Red Wings acquire will likely be on the second line with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. These are three good targets for the Red Wings to pursue at the deadline.
A right-shot defenseman could be tougher to acquire. Two names could be options:
- Dougie Hamilton: Hamilton is with the New Jersey Devils but has a full no-trade clause and earns $9 million per year through the 2027-28 season
- Justin Faulk: Faulk is under contract with the St. Louis Blues through next season at a $6.5 million cap hit
If the Red Wings want to pursue Dougie Hamilton, they will need him to agree to waive his no-trade clause.
St. Louis is last in the Central Division and could be a seller at the deadline. Faulk may be a better option than Hamilton.
Yzerman and the Red Wings will need to decide how much they are willing to give away to improve these two positions. The options are there for Yzerman to seek a trade and improve the Red Wings’ chances of not just making the playoffs, but also contending for a Stanley Cup.
NHL Insider Eliotte Friedman Mentions Red Wings As Potential Team To Acquire Artemi Panarin
Artemi Panarin is the biggest name on the trade market. The New York Rangers will be a seller at the deadline, and Panarin will get them the biggest return.
Panarin holds all the cards. He has a full no-move clause, meaning he has a say in where he can be traded to. He prefers to land with a team that will sign him to a contract extension. This rules out some teams. However, the Red Wings could be in the running.
Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Detroit Red Wings as a potential team to acquire Panarin. With Panarin seeking a contract extension, the Red Wings fit the bill in Friedman’s eyes. Yzerman likes bringing in players for the long-term.
“Detroit, always tough with [Steve] Yzerman. I definitely think there’s interest. Definitely. But you know, Yzerman, he generally doesn’t like rentals. So can he make a deal there? …Washington, definitely extension. I think LA extension…Carolina extension. San Jose extension. Detroit, to me, is absolutely extension,” says Friedman.
Red Wings Can Become A Cup Contender With Panarin
Adding players like Kadri, Trocheck, Pettersson, Hamilton, or Faulk will boost the Red Wings’ roster, but it does not move the needle to become true Stanley Cup contenders.
Artemi Panarin makes the Red Wings a true Cup contender. Detroit’s offense has talent, but Panarin is one of the best players in the league. He would take them from being currently an average offense to a top offense in the league.
Panarin could be slotted into the first line with Larkin and Raymond, making this one of the most dangerous first lines in the league.
If the Red Wings cannot land Panarin, then they need to acquire a center and another defenseman.
Kadri, Trocheck, or Pettersson could be slotted in the second line to be paired with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. This would give Detroit a dangerous first two lines and improve the need to fix the center position on the second line. Either of these three players will also man the center position on the second power play unit, making it more formidable. |
Dougie Hamilton or Justin Faulk will give Detroit another defenseman who can contribute on offense.
Currently, the only Red Wings player who can contribute on offense is Moritz Seider. Adding another defenseman who can contribute on offense will bolster this roster.
Panarin makes the Red Wings legit Stanley Cup contenders.
Addressing the center position on the second line and adding a defenseman will further make the Red Wings a deeper team.
If the Red Wings can somehow pull off doing all three, then they become one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
