Which Red Wings Players Are “Untouchables”?

The Detroit Red Wings are in the process of rebuilding their roster. With a lot of players being free agents, there is a good chance for a Red Wings “reboot”.

The Red Wings are in a tough spot and with that comes a lot of tough decisions. It’s no secret that their true stars are their youngest and that means mistakes. Those mistakes they make, although it will bite them in the butt for a year or two, will help them learn and develop as players in this league.

Moving forward into the off-season, it’s no question that Yzerman will be looking to bring in some veteran talent to fill out their roster. Now, you may be saying “They already have veteran talent, why do they need to bring in more veterans?” Well, how many of the veteran players are true impact players? Not many.

I expect Yzerman to clean house with those veterans that haven’t played to value and bring in some through free agency and possibly through trade as well. Now, we have no idea what the free agency market will look like or even the trade block, what we do know is that the Red Wings have a small list of untouchables.

So, with that being said, who are some of the players that I feel the Red Wings should be unwilling to move? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Forward, Lucas Raymond

Lucas Raymond started the season as one of the hottest players in all of hockey. Which, being a rookie, was incredibly impressive. However, we all knew that it wasn’t exactly maintanable.

The Detroit Red Wings season, although a dissapointment, showed signs of being really good and that was due to Raymond and the talent he displayed. With his speed, shot, passing, power play talent, the stardom was undeniable. But, that doesn’t answer why I feel that he should be listed as “Untradeable”. So, let me go ahead and answer that for you.

Lucas Raymond was drafted sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings out of Sweeden. Generally speaking, when you are drafted with the sixth overall pick in the NHL entry draft, you are a talented player with a lot of upside. Which, is why I always feel it’s important to let the players really develop before rushing them in to the NHL.

Raymond played one season in the AHL before making his first apperance in the NHL. In his first month in the NHL, there was no debate in who was going to win the Calder trophy. He was on fire with his scoring. Additionally, he was able to display elite playmaking ability which complemented his linemates of Larkin, Zadina, Veleno, and all the other names that he played with.

Letting a player who already displayed top line talent and potentially superstar talent would be a huge mistake by the organization. Raymond will one day, and one day soon, be a superstar in this league, he just needs the players around him to complement his game.

Defenseman, Mortiz Seider

Does this one need to be explained? Probably not. Am I going to explain it anyways? Yes.

Mortiz Seider was one of the best defenseman in hockey this past season and I’d argue that he will begin the season in my top 10 defenseman rankings. I think that the trajectory of his career could be something we haven’t quite seen before.

When trying to really find a comparison to fit Seider’s game, there wasn’t one. I mean, Chris Pronger? Erik Karlsson? Zdeno Chara? There is no singular person that seems to have the overall capabilites that Seider has.

I know that Mortiz Seider didn’t quite put up the goal numbers we expected from him, but that doesn’t waiver my faith that he will one day be a 15-20 goal scorer from the defenseman position. Furthermore, he finished this season with 40 assists which is a milestone that I don’t think anyone expected him to hit- including myself.

I knew that if he were to see the minutes he desereved, he’d prove the organization right. I never thought that as a rookie he would put up 40 assists. If he can develop his offensive talent and find himself being a smarter defenseman(by that I mean his positioning), he could soon become a top five defenseman in the NHL.

You can not, nor should you, trade away a player with a ceiling as high as that. You have a periniel all-star- don’t blow it.

Forward, Dylan Larkin

Would you ever consider trading away Dylan Larkin? No. Probably not.

What if a team like the Dallas Stars offered Miro Heiskanen? I know I wouldn’t. Dylan Larkin is thee captain of the Detroit Red Wings and it should forever remain that way.

Larkin is a born and raised Michigan guy, and being able to play for the team that he grew up rooting for- it’s a dream that most people have. For him, it’s his reality. And as a Detroit Red Wings fan, it bring us all great joy to see him put on that uniform.

Dylan Larkin has done nothing but what’s best for the team and the organization. He puts the team first always and has done everything the organization has asked of him. He is thee capain of the Detroit Red Wings and if he were to ever get traded- It should create an uproar. This is where he started his career and this is where he should finish it.