Red Wings: Analyzing 3 Central Teams Who Might Deal Draft Picks

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With some teams more than others willing to move draft picks, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman may be willing to check in on some current division foes. Here’s a look at the top three Central teams in the playoff hunt and what they might be willing to take and deal in regards to draft capital. This doesn’t include prospects or players. Simply a measurement of draft picks.

I’ve chosen to focus on the top three teams in the Central. Neither Chicago or Nashville seem as likely to offload higher draft picks for rental players.

All cap information and draft pick information is courtesy of Cap Friendly.

Carolina Hurricanes

Deadline Cap Space: $9.12m

A Red Wings player they could be interested in: Jonathan Bernier
What could the Wings get back best case? 2nd round pick in 2022
What is a realistic return? Either a third or fourth round pick

Though it seems disingenuous that they could only get a third round pick, teams aren’t as willing to give up picks unless it’s a higher tier player. Taylor Hall, who seems to be a victim of circumstance more than anything else, isn’t expected to get a haul.

So why a mid-round pick for Bernier? Until the Wings shellacking at the hands of the Predators Thursday night, a second round pick didn’t seem out of the question. But after giving up seven goals (some of which weren’t his fault), it’s not the best audition before the trade deadline. If anything, it maybe put a buyer’s beware on Bernier: some injury struggles and a pretty rough game upon return, just days before the deadline.

Florida Panthers

Deadline Cap Space: $16.41m
A Red Wings player they could be interested in: Anthony Mantha; Bobby Ryan; Marc Staal
What could the Wings get back best case? Depends on the player. Potentially, a first round pick if Mantha is involved. For Staal, a third round pick contingent on how far the Panthers go. Ryan could *maybe* fetch a second round pick if the Wings deal a third or fourth with him.
What is a realistic return? Ryan – ’21 or ’22 3rd Round pick.
Staal with salary retained – ’21 or 22 4th round pick.
Mantha – ’21 or ’22 1st round pick (but would be a creative deal)

This is where Mantha could be in play. The Panthers just cleared out cap room with their trade with Chicago on Thursday. Could Mantha, who would provide a punch to their forward depth, possibly garner a first round pick? Ryan would be more realistic and a cheap add for Florida both contract wise and in terms of what they’d give up. Staal would provide more depth since the Panthers lost Aaron Ekblad. Though it’s clearly not the same in skill level, he brings playoff experience and Joel Quenneville loves veteran players.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Deadline Cap Space: $0
A Red Wings player they could be interested in: Bobby Ryan, Luke Glendening
What could the Wings get back best case? 2nd round pick in 2022
What is a realistic return? Either a third or fourth round pick

Yzerman’s former team could be the perfect trade partner except for the fact that they have absolutely no cap space. The logical choices would be Ryan or Glendening, which could include a swap for another player and a draft pick. Tampa is already pretty stocked, and the only way they make room would be to offload a contract or try to keep up with Carolina and Florida.

Final Thoughts

Of the top three teams in the division, the realistic bet is either Carolina or Florida making a deal to increase depth. Florida has more room and might be willing to offer more up should Yzerman be willing to listen in on Mantha, who could be a nice investment for the Panthers.

light. More. Which RFA's might Yzerman trade instead of re-sign?

We’ll preview the other three divisions over the next few days.

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