The Red Wings are going to be sellers yet again in this years upcoming deadline, and there are a multitude of teams looking for help. Today, I take a look at Boston, Vegas, and Pittsburgh and highlight a few names worth asking about.
Boston Bruins
This week, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy was quoted as saying:
"“I think we’re a better defensive team makeup in terms of our roster anyways, that’s why our numbers are very good defensively. Offensively, we’re not built to outscore teams but right now, we do need a little more.”"
It’s no coincidence that just a few days later, the Athletics’ Fluto Shinzawa reported that the Bruins GM, Don Sweeney, is now on the market for a top nine forward.
Sweeney is reportedly looking for a right-winger, Boston only has $1.7 million left in cap space for the current year. The Bruins would have to add current roster players to any trade deal for a player with a contract over that amount . By the sounds of it, Cassidy is relatively happy with the current roster and is more focused on adding to the team, not taking pieces away.
The Red Wings could oblige with a few players matching what Sweeney is looking for. But like every other deal general manager Steve Yzerman would make, creativity would be involved.
Potential Prospects
The Bruins own multiple great prospects that could be potential targets for the Red Wings. Jack Studnicka (C) and Jakub Lauko are perhaps the most exciting assets – but these are the kind of players that Boston would only move out of desperation. A potential trade for either would also likely have to include multiple picks. Studnicka was recently moved down to the Bruin’s minor league team after starting the season with the team, as he only scored 3 points in the 18 games he played. However, Studnicka has all the skills to make it has a top 6 forward in the league, and the Red Wings need more depth at center in their pipeline. This would be a great get for Yzerman. Although Lauko hasn’t cracked the main roster in Boston yet, he looks like perhaps the best winger in the pipeline, scoring the second most points this season with Boston’s AHL affiliate, Providence.
Oskar Steen could be another possible option. With 8 points in 13 games (3-5), the center who can also play wing could maybe be pried away. In his call-up with Boston a few weeks ago, he was unable to get on the scoresheet. His explosive skating would be welcomed as well as his versatility at center or wing.