Steve Yzerman will not allow the opportunity to slip away. Last year at the NHL trade deadline, the Detroit Red Wings general manager failed to generate a move.
Captain Dylan Larkin spoke for his teammates, expressing the locker-room missed the end-of-the-season juice. The Red Wings ended up missing the playoffs for a ninth straight season by one point.
This season, on the eve of an Olympic roster freeze, the Red Wings entered Tuesday ranked No. 3 in the Eastern Conference with 72 points.
To remain in contention – and give Larkin and Co. a late-season boost – Red Wings trade rumors indicate Yzerman seeks a second-line center and second-pairing, right-shot defenseman.
Yzerman has reportedly been linked to several high-profile forwards, including Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri, and a pair of Winnipeg Jets defensemen, Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley, according to Sportsnet.
The Winnipeg Jets are expected to move veteran D Luke Schenn before the trade deadline. D Logan Stanley is also expected to be a trade candidate. #GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/xMmN8CWQhS
— MXHockey (@_MXHockey) January 28, 2026
Trade Rumors Link Red Wings To 2 Jets Defensemen
With Red Wings coach Todd McLellan displaying a short third-period leash on rookie Axel Sandin-Pelikka for much of the season’s first half, an established right-shot partner for Ben Chiarot remains high on Yzerman’s to-do list.
Schenn, 36, would inject grit and postseason experience along the blue line. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, he compiled 1,113 regular-season games and 58 playoff outings.
Schenn logged a position-low 12:16 of ice time during Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss. Defenseman Josh Morrissey absorbed 25:17 of ice time.
The Jets (22-25-8) rank No. 13 in the Western Conference and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff appears committed to being sellers before the March trade deadline.
Stanley remains another possibility.
The 27-year-old defenseman scored Tuesday and continues to display a more offensive touch this season. His nine goals are a career best. At 6-foot-7, he would fit right in with 6-6 Simon Edvinsson after he returns from injured reserve.
Yzerman may have balked at making a deadline deal last season. Don’t look for him to allow another opportunity – or two – to slip away again.
A Jets 6 on 5 goal? In this economy?
And Logan Stanley has 9 goals.
Dear Mama. pic.twitter.com/aONr40C1vz
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) February 3, 2026