Detroit Red Wings: What can we expect to happen on deadline day?

This being “deadline” day, we thought it would be interesting to take a few minutes to talk about what we expect to happen today versus what we want to happen. The Detroit Red Wings brass will have busy day fielding calls and offers regardless if they make a deal or not.

It’s the most exciting time of the “in-season” year. You always hope during this time of year that your team is a “buyer,” but unfortunately for the Detroit Red Wings, it isn’t the case. This will be the third year in a row the franchise will not participate in the postseason.

The last time the franchise hadn’t made the playoffs in three straight seasons was 1983; the Wings actually didn’t make the postseason for five consecutive seasons 78-79 to 82-83. It is a little promising that the draft selection in the first round of the 1983 NHL Entry Level Draft was the one and only Steve Yzerman.

There is no guarantee the Detroit Red Wings will land Jack Hughes but wouldn’t that be something if they did. I am not suggesting that Hughes is Yzerman but he’s undoubtedly the number one choice and it would be only fitting. They do say history repeats itself so who knows; the Detroit Red Wings could see a pinball fall in their favor.

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Ken Holland is sure to have a lot of action on his phone during the day today, likely right up to the 3 pm trade deadline. After moving Nick Jensen on Friday, the Wings still have a few assets others may seem valuable for the right price.

Gustav Nyquist is the top trade chip the Detroit Red Wings currently possess. The forward isn’t scoring at the rate he once did, but he’s having the best season of his career statistically. Through 61 games he’s achieved 15 goals and 48 points. He’s a minus -1, but he is averaging 18:05 TOI per game with an excellent 53.5 CF%.

I expect Nyquist to be moved at some point today. He’s one of the top trade targets left on the market. On TSN’s trade bait list he’s moved up to the fifth most desirable player available. Mark Stone tops the list, Wayne Simmonds and Kevin Hayes are also ahead of him.

The Winnipeg Jets first-round choice is ranked fourth. Nyquist is having a better season statistically than Hayes and Simmonds, but the pair are more built for the playoffs with their physical ability to go with their scoring touch.

It would be in the franchises best interest to move Nyquist for a draft pick, a pick package or a prospect/pick combination. Ken Holland has expressed his desire to resign the likes of Nyquist but in my opinion, moving him and exploring the free agent options come July 1st would be the wiser choice.

Jimmy Howard‘s draft stock as I’ve mentioned recently has fallen way off. There may be a market for Howard but not nearly at the asking price. A first round pick is way overvaluing Howard, especially with his most recent struggles. Detroit would be lucky to get a 3rd round pick for him, and I can’t see Holland accepting that.

He’s been sidelined with the flu which also hurts his stock because he hasn’t been able to show he’s ready to bounce back from his recent struggles. Throughout his past two starts, he’s been pulled in both giving up 9 total goals and 4 on just 8 shots in his last appearance. Holland would be an expensive insurance policy elsewhere, and teams won’t line up to pay for insurance.

I believe Ken Holland will not find a market today for Howard and will end up signing him to a contract extension before he hits the open free agent market on July 1st. I would proceed with caution doing this, he’s a 35-year-old goaltender, and his best deal will likely come from Detroit so they should allow him to test the waters out and negotiate with him at market value.

Thomas Vanek has had a better second half of the season, but Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings will struggle to find a trade partner for him. I don’t expect Vanek to be moved today. I had hopes of Vanek being around the 20 goal/40 point mark by now. That hasn’t happened he’s notched 12 goals and 29 points. He’s a minus -10 on the season with a weak 47.9 CF%. Vanek is only averaging 14 minutes a night.

Vanek has a no-trade clause and can veto any deal that the Wings could find. Vanek has a history of being moved this time of year, season after season. I expect him to just ride out the remainder of the season with the Wings and bag his bags in search of a new home throughout the summer. Vanek’s time in Detroit is numbered with all the young forwards coming through the pipeline.

Luke Glendening and Trevor Daley are both players with term remaining on their deals. Both players’ names have been floated around leading up to today. I expect Ken Holland to hold on to both of these guys and potentially revisit the trade options throughout the summer or possibly on draft day.

If someone were to call for either of them with a reasonable offer, I would move either of them. Daley could draw some interest because his cap hit is under 3 million per season with one-year remaining on his deal. He had a lot of success in Pittsburgh winning back to back Cups and playing a vital role when injuries occurred. They are banged up and could call out of desperation.

Glendening seems to be always linked to Toronto being one of Mike Babcock’s favorites. The Leafs have many young prospects if they happen to call Ken Holland should listen to the offer very carefully.

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Whatever may happen today lets just hope Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings set loyalty aside and make intelligent moves that benefit the franchise’s future. Enjoy the trade chatter today it should be a fun day throughout the league.

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