Five key players that Yzerman could trade at the deadline

Pius Suter

Pius Suter signed a two-year contract with Detroit after being a Chicago rookie last year.  Suter started off slow, but has picked up steam after being reunited with former junior teammates Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri.  The trio make up the #2 line on Detroit and are commonly referred to as “The Guelph Line”, because they played in the OHL together when Guelph went to the Memorial Cup in 2014.  This line has provided the necessary depth that has been missing from the Detroit lineup during the recent non-playoff years.

Why a trade makes sense:  Suter also has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $3.25M annually.  Suter will be an UFA at the end of 2023, meaning that he can leave Detroit and the Red Wings will not receive any compensation.

Even though Suter has improved and provided depth at the center position, he can be replaced by Joe Veleno who is younger, stronger, cheaper, and has more upside than Suter.

Teams that are searching for depth at the center position will be asking about Suter prior to this deadline, in the summer, and before the deadline next March.  If Yzerman decides that Suter can be internally replaced, he will likely be shipped out at some point in the next 12 months.

Why a trade doesn’t make sense:  Suter has terrific chemistry with Bertuzzi and Fabbri.  The trio provide secondary scoring and this takes the pressure off the Larkin line.  When the top two lines are scoring, the Red Wings are entertaining and more difficult to play against when compared to recent years.

Suter is also an affordable option at the #2 center position.  This allows Yzerman to spend in other areas of need, especially on defense and in goal.