Dream Trades for Detroit Red Wings before the deadline
Last year, the Detroit Red Wings mad a blockbuster trade when Anthony Mantha was traded to Washington for Jakub Vrana and two draft picks. Is General Manager Steve Yzerman ready to once again make a splash before the deadline next Monday?
Here are some trades that fans can only dream about prior to the deadline.
Bertuzzi traded to Boston
Trading Tyler Bertuzzi to a contender is a distinct possibility. Many teams will certainly inquire about the rugged forward. In 50 games this year, Bertuzzi has scored 24 goals, 24 assists, 48 points, and a +4 rating. It would be sad to see Bertuzzi go as he is one of my favorite players, but the haul could be enormous.
Similar to the Mantha trade last year, Detroit could pick up a skilled young player and draft picks. A likely destination would be the Boston Bruins. Boston could trade disgruntled forward Jake DeBrusk, a 1st round pick this year, and a 2nd round pick in 2023.
The trade makes sense on many levels. Bertuzzi will be a UFA after the 2023 season. DeBrusk has asked for a trade. Yzerman won’t say it publicly, but with Bertuzzi refusing the Covid-19 vaccine, and missing nine games this year in Canada, he has let down his team and fans.
DeBrusk and draft picks would be a nice haul for Detroit. In 54 games, DeBrusk has 15 goals, 10 assists, 25 points, and a -2 rating. DeBrusk could immediately play in Detroit’s top six. DeBrusk is also more than a year younger than Bertuzzi and currently carries a cap hit just over $3.6M annually. This trade would save the Red Wings over $1M next year.
Filip Zadina and prospects traded to Arizona
Trading a player when he is having another off-season is usually met with disaster. It’s a risky move to trade a player like Filip Zadina. Zadina has never fulfilled the promise of being a sniper for Detroit. In 143 career games, Zadina has only scored 22 goals.
Similar to Mantha last year, Zadina is a player than was drafted before Yzerman was GM. Yzerman really has no ties to the player. Zadina has underperformed and needs a change of scenery.
Filip Zadina, prospect William Wallinder, and a 2nd round pick will be traded to Arizona for Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun sustained a lower body injury on the weekend and may be lost for an extended period of time. With this injury, all teams headed to the playoffs are now out of the running for this year’s top trade chip.
This trade make sense for both teams. Zadina has loads of potential to play a top six role in Arizona. Wallinder is one of the top defense prospects currently playing in the SHL. The 2nd round pick will be Detroit’s pick this year meaning that it will be in the top 45 this summer.
The Red Wings will benefit in a number of ways. They will be adding a proven veteran and leader who can play LD, a weakness for Detroit at the NHL level. Chychryn has a very affrodable cap hit of $4.6M until the end of the 2025 season. Detroit currently have too many LD prospects and not enough room for all of them, someone has to go.
Alex Nedljkovic traded to Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs season is spiraling out of control. Leafs brass and fans are placing the blame squarely on goaltending. With their #1 goaltender injured and former Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek having a terrible second half, Toronto have to be looking for relief in net.
Enter Alex Nedeljkovic, the Red Wings current #1 in goal. Nedeljkovic is having a difficult second half to the season, but he played terrific for the first 40 games this year. At 26, Nedeljkovic is still viewed as a rookie. Nedeljkovic has one year left on his current contract and then he can become an UFA. He currently carries a cap hit of $3.0M.
The Red Wings could trade Nedeljkovic to Toronto for Mrazek and a 1st round pick in 2022 or 2023. Throw in young defenseman Timothy Liljegren and this would be a steal for Detroit.
This would solidify the Leafs goaltending woes while also reuniting Mrazek with his former team. Toronto would get $800,000 in cap relief from the trade and possibly more if Detroit absorbed some of Ned’s contract.
Mrazek is signed for two more years and would be an excellent goaltending partner for Sebastian Cossa or Joren van Pottelberghe.
Stay tuned, the Yzerplan will be in full motion as we get closer to next Monday at 3:00 PM ET.
Next. Red Wings: Analyzing possible trade chip, Jakob Chychrun. dark