Previously, we discussed my no-trade lists for the Detroit Red Wings.
While I’d love to say everyone’s on the list, I can’t in good faith say that, as there is always room for improvement. As such, it’s vital for the Red Wings organization to find out which players are best to stick around. As importantly, find out who is best to move on from. Ideally, this change happens when a player is worth the most value in a trade (sell high, buy low situation).
There can be some confusion. We see it every day where people sell low and buy high. Whether it’s a retirement plan, real estate, or general investments, people tend to make silly choices.
For Wings fans, we’re hoping that general manager Steve Yzerman and his crew figure out who is best to move on from and when the best time might be. Although plenty of fans don’t think we have much to offer, there are still players who could (and should) draw the eyes of other teams.
As the draft and free agency approach, we need to find out who is on the no-trade list (and why that might be).
This exercise is meant to be fun and is likely different for everyone. We can have a fun debate on who you choose and why, along with how ridiculous my list may be.
Here are two Detroit Red Wings players who should be on everyone’s no-trade list
(Please keep in mind, the obvious ones are Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider. They won’t be on here, because they’re staying long-term. I don’t think it’s much of a debate.)
1 Alex DeBrincat
This one might be too obvious, but in case anyone had doubts: Alex DeBrincat is here to stay.
I feel like DeBrincat was undersold to me, something that hasn’t really happened in my hockey world. Usually, guys are hyped up more than they should, then they leave me a little down (or meet my expectations).
Of course, there are surprises like Seider and Raymond being a couple, but DeBrincat is the one I heard not the nicest things about.
Accused of being lazy, DeBrincat was sold as someone who might be disinterested in the game. He’s streaky. He’s a power play merchant—couldn’t score five-on-five to save his life. He’s a one-trick pony, can’t defend, and isn’t attentive to the details. Boy, did a change of scenery make all the difference, or what?
I can’t tell you the number of times that I watched someone on a backcheck only to find out it was DeBrincat preventing another goal. Or, the number of times he tied up a stick or was perfectly positioned in a passing lane.
Night in and night out, DeBrincat has been one of the hardest-working players since he joined. I couldn’t ask for more from him. While his points are nice, it’s the little things that make me put him on my no-trade list (in bold, italic print, mind you—maybe with an underline on the days I’m feeling extra).
2 Elmer Söderblom
After a lackluster previous season, Elmer Söderblom came to Grand Rapids, Michigan, on a mission.
Söderblom decided he wasn’t going to be afraid to hurt people. Play a physical brand of hockey. And, just as importantly, have some faith in himself.
His mom didn’t nickname him the mailman because he lost your important Amazon package with monk fruit sweetener in it. Söderblom delivers.
Having a 6’8” player with his skillset (fancy hands, decent playmaking skills, and an underrated shot) is a dangerous combination for opponents. When Söderblom gets going, there are few people—even King Kongs-that can stop him.
With these details in mind, it’s imperative that Söderblom. remains with the Detroit Red Wings long term. Very few players like him exist, so while we can, we gotta keep him.
Both Söderblom and DeBrincat are invaluable members of the Red Wings organization. I look forward to seeing what they do next season (and the many seasons to come).