Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights have struggled all year with depth scoring. When the top lines aren’t active, there’s much to be desired after them. Although they lead the division, depth scoring is essential if Vegas wants any chance to hoist the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.
With less than $150,000 in deadline cap space, Vegas can’t afford to be picky at the deadline. Any move would require shedding some salary space, be it through placing someone on waivers or including a current member of the roster in a potential trade. For a team that is strapped for cash, the Red Wings would have a few options to offer.
Any addition before the deadline will not be a knee jerk desperation move, it’ll be a calculated roster change to ensure an impenetrable roster before the deep playoff run.
Potential Prospects
It’s unlikely that Vegas will risk top notch prospects for any of the players Detroit has, sans Anthony Mantha if he’s truly available. Any shipping off of top tier prospects would need to include some above average assets. In all likelihood, any Wings trade would garner a mid round pick but for the sake of argument, I’ve included a few prospects the Wings could realistically get
A prospect Detroit could target in the Vegas pipline is Lucas Elvenes. Elvenes considered one of the top tier prospects in the Golden Knight pipeline just last year, but has fallen down most rankings after a less than stellar NHL camp. If Yzerman snags him, he would be buying low, as Elvenes has the elusivness and puck handling skills to make it in the NHL. Equally important for Detroit is that he’s fantastic on the power play.
In the category of reaching a bit, University of Michigan product Brendan Brisson would be a great addition, but one that would be much costlier. Brisson put up 21 points (10-11) in 24 games After such a great year, it’s a bit of a reach to assume that Vegas would part ways with him. But the patient Wolverine with an elite shot could be available to Detroit for the right price. This again would not only involve draft picks, but Yzerman being creative with what he can offer personnel wise.
While Vegas and Boston have options, it’s the final team that could potentially cough something up as they try to beat Father Time for one more Cup.