Trade Targets the Detroit Red Wings Could Explore this Off-Season
Shea Theodore to the Red Wings?
The Red Wings can take a gamble on making a move for Golden Knights defenseman, Shea Theodore.
The Vegas Golden Knights have rolled the dice since their inaugural season regarding their treatment of the salary cap. We saw The Golden Knights primarily miss the playoffs this season due to their constant roster roulette regarding cap constraints. The Knights will make multiple moves this offseason to sign rostered players and build for now and the future.
The Wings have over $30 million in cap space currently being an optimal trade partner for a team that is wavering the lines of being non-compliant.
Why should the Golden Knights consider?
They might not have a choice. Theodore is one of their higher salary players that currently does not have a no-move clause kicked into his contract yet. They need to move cap and could use a nice return.
Why should the Red Wings Consider?
Shea Theodore is an elite puck mover and skater. His experience since being in the league will be beneficial to the young Red Wing blueline. He will be a player to help quarterback the powerplay and plays a puck possession style. His skating abilities will allow the Wings to have better pairing options on the backend to bolster their success to get pucks out of the zone and limit chances in the middle of the ice.
Jeff Petry to the Red Wings?
The Red Wings have a need to bolster their blueline. They also need another veteran presence to give stability to the backend after a disastrous 2021-2022 campaign in what felt like football scores had full display on the jumbotron. Another Michigander could be of use to fill this role.
Jeff Petry may have been one of the best players in Montreal during their trip to the Stanley Cup finals two season ago. Last season, he was subject to ridicule from the fans. His salary moving off the books will help new GM Kent Hughes build the Canadiens in a way that he sees fit. Steve Yzerman will get a veteran D-man who is versatile and can play in all situations. A change of scenery for Petry would not be the worst thing for him either.
Why should the Canadians consider?
Montreal is in need to clear cap space to begin a rebuild. They have the coach and general manager in place. They need a high-end talent to play with Nick Suzuki. Zadina could use a change of scenery. It is a minimal risk that yields a high reward.
Why Should the Red Wings Consider?
Detroit needs defense and veteran leaders in the room. Petry provides the intangibles needed on and off the ice to take the team to the next step. He only has three seasons left on his contract that should not affect the Wings ability to offer their budding stars contracts once their entry level deals expire.
Leon Draisaitl to the Red Wings?
Moritz Seider is the cornerstone of the Detroit Red Wings franchise. Seider is a young German defender with elite level qualities of size, senses, and skating. Moving the puck up the ice to a fellow countryman would be comforting.
Leon Draisaitl is a star power forward with unbelievable playmaking abilities. This opportunity could accelerate the rebuild to being near complete. While I must admit this trade is very unlikely, it does make sense. The relationship between Steve Yzerman and the Edmonton Oilers Ken Holland, the Oilers need for depth, and the salary cap for both teams are reasons to give hope and grease this deal needs.
Why the Oilers Should Consider
While giving up a super star in the league, they have proven that they do not have the depth to be serious contenders. McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, and Nurse assume almost $35 million of the Oilers cap, preventing them from being able to sign quality depth options. With this trade they pick up three top-nine options, a capable puck-moving defenseman, and assets in the draft.
Why the Wings should Consider
They need a star forward and an elite level center. The trade gives the Wings flexibility to move Larkin to the wing or provide the captain better matchups. His experience of being “the man” over the past few seasons will allow him to be even more effective in his 200-foot game. Hronek is replaceable with prospects in the system, the draft, or free agency.
While Vrana is trade piece that the fans will miss, his ability and skillset will be enticing to the Oilers; you must give up something good to get something good. Veleno has a top six potential. It may be difficult to give up a prospect like Joey V but with the Wings having a high-end prospect pool; he is expendable