Red Wings: Breaking Down the Top 10 Potential Targets This Off-Season
Jeff Petry, RHD, Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens were able to trade defenseman, Ben Chiarot at the trade deadline but were not able to deal right-hand defenseman, Jeff Petry.
Petry, who was one of the more hated Canadien players last season, wanted out of Montreal and the Montreal fan base wanted him gone as well. It was also reported that he was receiving death threats which played a major role in the matter.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t really matter all that much because in the big picture. When you look at the Montreal Canadiens roster, you’ll realize that he doesn’t fit their timeline. They want picks, and prospects. Petry is a 30 year old defenseman. Pretty much the polar opposite of what the organization wants.
So, why should the Red Wings make a play for him? I mean, it’s not like the Red Wings are in the same boat as the Canadiens or anything. That was sarcasm by the way because as we all know, we are in the same boat.
Well, I feel the Red Wings will be interested in him for one very good reason, they need to replace veterans with veterans and that’s exactly what they’d be getting in Petry. Furthermore, he is an improvement upon Marc Staal and Danny DeKeyser.
The only reason this wouldn’t really work is because the right-hand defenseman spot isn’t of need right now. But, I’ve lived my life under the philosophy that if you can improve, you should. And it’s for that reason why this move makes sense.
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues
Could you imagine the boost the Red Wings would get if they were to acquire Vladimir Tarasenko? I can’t even fathom the step they’d take forward. His re-emergence this past season was very fun to watch, but from the outsider’s point of view, he has now become many organizations top priority. That should include the Red Wings.
Tarasenko, who has had a lot happen to him in the past couple seasons with injuries and not playing well when he is on the ice, it’s been a rough go for him. Furthermore, this past off-season there was that big fiasco with the Blues organization and Tarasenko regarding his role and value with the club.
Now, I don’t know if that got worked out but given this is a hypothetical, it’s all fun and games. However, what I will say is that this past season, you could see that he was healthy and ready to go all season long.
In 75 games with the St. Louis Blues, Vladimir Tarasenko was able to produce 34 goals and 48 assists for a total of 82 points. In other words, he is back and ready to go.
Having played on a second-line with the Blues, his goal scoring really put the Blues on the map. He was scoring consistently and helping elevate the players on his line.
Being able to feel out a potential trade to acquire Tarasenko would do the Red Wings a lot of good. Additionally, the prospect pool that the Red Wings have could make the Blues a potential suitor to begin with.
Tony DeAngelo, RHD
I recently wrote about Tony DeAngelo and why I feel the Red Wings should target him, but it should be reiterated just how much his talent would elevate the Red Wings.
The Red Wings defensive corps right now would look like:
Edvinsson-Seider
Oesterle-Hronek
Walman-Lindstrom
Now, you look at the right side and are probably content with a trio of Seider, Hronek, and Lindstrom. And that’s a fair assumption. But, let me take you a step further and ask, with Edvinsson, Johansson, Sebrango, Viro, and Wallinder all being left-handed defenseman, do you really feel that the left-side defense is a problem?
With all of those names I listed being left-handed, I’m not too worried about the left-side. However, after Seider and Hronek, the right-side doesn’t really have anybody. That’s one of the reasons why this signing could be so beneficial. But, it’s not the only reason.
This past season, DeAngelo played in 64 games for the Hurricanes. In those 64 games he put up 10 goals and 41 assists for 51 total points. On top of that, he was playing top lines minutes averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time.
DeAngelo would likely drop Hronek down to the third line which I don’t really like. However, when you look at the big picture, Hronek being on the third line because of the other two guys ahead of him speaks to the talent you have.
DeAngelo is also a very good defenseman due to his physicality and willingness to face anyone and everyone. And I have to be honest, that’s one of the reasons I really want him.
When you have a young team like the Red Wings, It’s important to make sure that you back them. If the opposition lays a bad hit on them or starts playing in a way that is disrespectful, DeAngelo will drop with them and we don’t really have a guy like that right now. Well, none that really puts fear into the other guy. There’s no banger on this team like him.
Now, I’m sure you’re saying that this signing is still pointless and unrealistic. However, after the season he just had, he’s going to make some money. And although the Hurricanes have some money, they don’t have the cap flexibility that the Red Wings have. That could make the Red Wings a potential suitor for him.
Valeri Nichushkin, LW/RW
I wrote an article about three forwards I feel the Red Wings should target a week ago. Since that point, one of the names has already removed themselves off the list: Kevin Fiala.
Fiala was just traded to the Los Angeles Kings a couple days ago and signed a big extension as well. So, he’s no longer available. However, Valeri Nichushkin is, and I expect him to be a pretty good pickup if he does indeed hit the free agency market.
Nichushkin came into the league back in 2013 with the Dallas Stars. Showing signs of being a pretty good player in this league, the Stars decided to give him a chance. That wasn’t the smart move.
Since moving teams, Nichushkin has really hit his stride. More specifically, this season. Nichushkin has been incredibly valuable to the Avalanche in their current postseason run, but he was also a huge part to their organization throughout the regular season as well.
Having played in 62 games this season for the Avalanche, he was able to record 25 goals, 27 assists, for a total of 52 points. All the while having a +/- of +21.
Now, even though he was very good in the regular season, he has absolutely been a force this postseason for the Avalanche. Having played in 20 games so far, he has nine goals and six assists for 15 total points. But, what’s even more surprising is the time on ice he’s been seeing.
For his incredible efforts, the Avalanche have decided to give him an increase in ice time.
But, now it’s time to talk about why the Red Wings should sign him:
The Red Wings roster is wide open since they currently have 11 players listed as free agents. Not to mention the cap space they currently have, money is no issue if they want to go after some of the bigger names on the free agent market. But that’s not Yzerman’s style. He seems to like the depth more than the star power. That’s what Nichushkin is, except, he has proven to be a rising star.
Now, I have no idea if he’ll ever be a point per game player but truth be told, we wouldn’t need him to be. What we need him to do is be a gritty defensive player that can score in front of the net and shoot the puck on the wing.
Alex DeBrincat, LW, Chicago Blackhawks
When has trading for a star ever been a bad thing? Answer: It hasn’t.
Alex DeBrincat is currently apart of the Chicago Blackhawks who are looking to go full rebuild mode this season. Looking for many picks and prospects, the Blackhawks are open to trading both DeBrincat, Kane, and Toews this off-season. Kane and Toews don’t fit the Red Wings timeline. DeBrincat on the other hand, he fits it like a glove.
DeBrincat is almost certainly a consensus top 25 player in the league who is scheduled to make $9,000,000 this upcoming season. The Blackhawks have no reason to pay him that, so they are actively shopping him. And with them wanting picks and prospects, it works out in the Red Wings favor because they have tons of both of them.
In order to get DeBrincat, you’ll have to give up some players you don’t want to. However, if you can find a way to keep Raymond, you could have a line that would be Raymond, Larkin, and DeBrincat. In other words, you’d have a powerhouse line.
Jakob Chychrun, LHD, Arizona Coyotes
The Red Wings need to get a defenseman to play alongside Moritz Seider and although Edvinsson could one day be that, he’s not right now. And let’s not forget before I get attacked for this, he’s yet to even play in an NHL game. He has no idea how difficult this game is at this level.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he sucks. I’m just saying that for our expectations to be so high for a guy who has yet to play in an actual game, we should probably look elsewhere for now. That’s where Chychrun comes into play.
Not only would Chychrun be a unreal acquisition for Yzerman and the Red Wings, but it’ll give us the thing we’ve been missing- the left-handed defenseman shot.
Anyways, back to Jakob Chychrun.
The Red Wings need to add the defenseman that can score from the blue line and who can move the puck with pace and can play with pace as well. This is a quick Red Wings team with a lot of speed and therefore we need to make sure that the passes can be put on the teammates sticks in stride and vice versa.
If we don’t get someone who meets those requirements, then we have a problem. So, I feel they need Chychrun and Chychrun need’s a team like the Red Wings
Sean Monahan, C, Calgary Flames
Sean Monahan is the poster board for “I need a change of scenery”. I mean, no one can tell me that he’s not a talented player because he was playing terrific hockey up until just a year or two ago. He was exactly what the Flames thought they were getting in him. But, recently, he’s found himself struggling just to be an active on the Flames roster.
The Flames are going to be wanting to move on from his $6,375,000 contract. I mean, for a guy who was a healthy scratch for many games this season, the Flames are not going to continue paying him that money. So, could the Red Wings make a move for him if the Flames work to retain some of his contract?
Let’s put this into perspective.
The Red Wings are currently without a center two. Pius Suter, Joe Veleno, and Michael Rasmussen are not top six centers at the moment. They need a center two and badly.
Sean Monahan, if you look outside of this past season, was exactly that if not better.
Discounting this past season, Monahan has played in 591 games with the Calgary Flames and has dominated. Having produced a total of 204 goals, 235 assists for a grand total of 439 points, his talent is undeniable.
If the Red Wings can leverage his few bad seasons and bad contract over the Flames, not only can they get him for nothing, but they may even be able to have them retain some of his contract.
This trade seems like a high upside move that I’m all for.
Andrew Copp, C/LW/RW
You know what’s underrated in the NHL nowadays? Versatility. Andrew Copp gives the Red Wings the chance to really establish the ability to move players around due to that very quality.
Now, I know Andrew Copp isn’t considered the flashiest player in the league, but let’s be honest, that’s not what the Red Wings need. They need consistency and Andrew Copp has the ability to be that guy. He showed that in his time with the New York Rangers. All he needed was the opportunity to really show what he can do and the Rangers got rewarded because he really played well from that point on.
I mention above when talking about Sean Monahan how the Red Wings need a center two and there is a lot of upside to his name. Well, this is the opposite.
Copp is a consistent player. There’s not much upside to his name, but you know what you’re going to get from him each and every game and there’s something to be said for that.
I mean, Lucas Raymond started the season off as one of the best players in the entire NHL. Then by the end of the season, wasn’t even a finalist for the Calder trophy. That’s the Red Wings problem- Consistency.
I feel that’s why the Red Wings need Copp.
Johnny Gaudreau, LW
Could you imagine seeing Johnny Gaudreau in a Red Wings uniform? That’d be awesome!
Johnny Gaudreau is coming off a incredible season with the Calgary Flames but his time in Calgary could be coming to an end as they have quite the cap predicament coming.
Both superstars, Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau are in the market for new contracts this off-season. And not only that, but they’ll have to find a way to fill out their roster after going all-in this season at the trade deadline. So, with that being said, they will more than likely only be able to re-sign one of the two. Furthermore, Tkachuk is a restricted free agent, Gaudreau is a unrestricted free agent. So who they will choose, It’s unclear. However, the Red Wings have a much better chance at getting Gaudreau than Tkachuk at the moment.
Gaudreau is likely going to make himself quite a bit of money after putting up a terrific year with the Flames. Having put up 40 goals, 75 assists, for a total of 115 points in 82 games, the money will be coming in from every team in the league. But only a few teams will actually have the cap space to pay him what he’ll be looking for. The Red Wings being one of them.
Now, I know that based upon his press conference, he wants to stay in Calgary. But, with that being said, he didn’t seem set on the idea. Therefore, the Red Wings can in fact make a play for the winger and potentially get their team a star winger to play on the line with Raymond and Larkin.
Nazem Kadri, C
Similar to my thinking with the DeAngelo signing, Kadri on the Red Wings would be one of the best signings this team could do for a number of reasons. So, let’s start with the first.
It’s no secret to the entire league that the Red Wings don’t have a center two who can play at an NHL caliber level. And by that, I mean, the talent he posses isn’t made to be in a top six spot. That’s where Kadri comes into play.
Kadri has always been known as a “Dirty player” and although he is that(which i’ll touch on later), he has always been a top six performer. Which, in case it wasn’t clear in that statement, it would mean that he can take on the center two role for Pius Suter who hasn’t really shown he deserves that role. Not to mention, he’s coming off arguably his best season yet and helped the Colorado Avalanche win a Stanley cup.
Having played in 71 games this season with the Avalanche, he had 28 goals and 59 assists for a total of 87 points. Additionally, he played in 16 games in the playoffs and had seven goals, eight assists, for 15 total points. Nearly a point per games in the playoffs. Pretty impressive. Now, let’s talk about the second reason this signing would be so great.
The DeAngelo signing would’ve given the Red Wings a guy who can get under people’s skin. That’s what Kadri could do as well.
Kadri has always been known as a “dirty player” and in this case, that’s something the Red Wings lack. I mean, when someone disrespects a player, who’s going to drop the gloves and punish them? No one. Kadri can though. Additionally, he would give the Red Wings their own instigator which would be very good for the division they are in.
With the Bruins having Brad Marchand on their roster, having a guy who can give it just as good as he takes it would be very beneficial to their team. Marchand is known as a great player who can really get to people with his actions and words. Kadri can do the same.