Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm was too fast to catch.
Briefly controlling the puck in the final minute of the first period Tuesday, Helm raced past defenders and appeared to be in the clear.
But he fumbled.
Instead of gliding in alone on Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros, Helm failed to control the puck, allowing it to slide harmlessly into the corner.
Another Helm breakaway.
Another missed opportunity, which eventually proved costly in the 3-2 shootout loss.
With the NHL trade deadline approaching Monday, NHL scouts have been deployed en masse to research available Red Wings.
Helm, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, is a prime candidate.
“A few names have been thrown out,” Helm told the Detroit News. “I haven’t heard mine, but I don’t know if anything will happen.”
Generational Red Wings Talent
Helm has been with the Red Wings for a generation.
His rookie campaign was highlighted by a Stanley Cup celebration.
But his tenure, at 34 years old, should end after this weekend on another last-place club.
A defensive forward with exceptional speed, Helm established a standard for forechecking, backchecking, and penalty-killing the past 14 seasons. His prorated salary of $3.85 million could be a bargain for a contending general manager.
It’s time to sever ties.
Helm’s ‘Open to Anything’
Playing mostly on a line with center Luke Glendening and Adam Erne, the fourth line has been one of the Red Wings’ most effective units over the past six weeks.
The trio is on the block.
Vegas?
Philadelphia?
The possibility of going to a contender entices Helm, who has two goals among six points in 32 games this season. In 729 career games, he has compiled 111 goals.
Since 2016, Helm has been forced to watch playoff hockey on television.
This year, there’s a chance he may not spend the spring and early summer on the coach.
“The last couple of years I found myself kind of missing it,” Helm said of playoff hockey. “If there’s an opportunity somewhere else, I would be fine with that.
“I’m open to anything.”
How about converting on a breakaway?