Detroit Red Wings: 4 forwards to target ahead of the trade deadline

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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The Detroit Red Wings may be in the market to make a trade or two before Friday’s trade deadline. The deadline is set for 3 P.M. ET on Friday, March 3rd, and is steadily approaching. The trades continue to roll in as teams start gearing up for the home stretch.

For the first time in a long time, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves in a position to be a buyer. It would likely shock any Red Wings fans if you told them this in December/January. But they have played themselves into the Wildcard race with an explosive start to the second half.

After an injury to Michael Rasmussen, it could leave them without a big and physical centerman. This season, Rasmussen has come into his own and shined with the Red Wings’ offense. While they could bring up Elmer Söderblom from the minors to fill the gap left, he’s not a center.

The Red Wings could very well try to bring in someone for some forward depth. The team is not in the running for a big-name forward, but they certainly would benefit from adding someone to help provide some depth up the middle in the bottom six.

Without Rasmussen in the forward core, a minor trade to bring someone in to support the bottom six and add in a seasoned player might be worth Steve Yzerman looking into. He may be able to work the phones and get the Red Wings a forward to help without Rasmussen’s likely lengthy absence.

Here are three forwards for the Detroit Red Wings to consider.

San Jose Sharks center Nick Bonino controls the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at SAP Center in San Jose. (Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)
San Jose Sharks center Nick Bonino controls the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at SAP Center in San Jose. (Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Detroit Red Wings should consider adding Nick Bonino.

While the Detroit Red Wings missed out on Timo Meier after he was dealt to the New Jersey Devils, they could still reach out to the Sharks and see if they can acquire one of their other forward.

Nick Bonino is a 34-year-old forward who can play center but also slot in as a winger, with 14 years in the NHL under his belt. He’s no stranger to this league and has been around. While he will not jump into the Red Wings’ forward core and put up major points, he’s got experience.

This team will be leaning on veteran players, especially those like David Perron, who has been in postseason runs to get them through this home stretch; Bonino would add another veteran presence into the locker room.

Bonino’s been to the playoffs ten times, with two Stanley Cup championships during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Red Wings are not gearing up for a cup run, but his experience could help these younger players learn what it takes to get themselves to that level.

In 2022-23, Bonino has played in 57 games with ten goals and nine assists for 19 total points for the Sharks. He’s an unrestricted free agent after the 2022-23 season, so there’s no commitment to Bonino sticking around.

The Red Wings might benefit from a veteran forward like Bonino. It’s worth giving the Sharks a call and seeing what it might take to acquire him.

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller skates during the warmups before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2023 Stadium Series ice hockey game at Carter-Finley Stadium. (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller skates during the warmups before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2023 Stadium Series ice hockey game at Carter-Finley Stadium. (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports) /

Detroit Red Wings should consider adding Lars Eller.

The Detroit Red Wings might have ended the Washington Capitals season, in a way, with their recent win over the Caps. There are several players that that Capitals are shopping that the Red Wings should be reaching out about.

While Nick Jensen is an option to add for the Red Wings on the defensive side of things, reaching out about forward, Lars Eller is also worth kicking the tires on. The 33-year-old forward has been around for the last fourteen seasons like Bonino and has a Stanley Cup ring of his own.

Eller has fallen a bit below the levels the Capitals have been hoping for, with just seven goals and nine assists for 16 total points over 60 games played in 2022-23. He’s an unrestricted free agent after this season, so the Red Wings could rent him for their pending postseason run.

Without Rasmussen, the Red Wings might benefit from someone like Eller being able to slide into the bottom six as a centerman. Eller can do just that. His offense may not jump off the page at you, but he’d be worth bringing back to see what he can do the rest of the way in a new forward core.

The Red Wings may be looking at the Capitals as a trade suitor for defensive depth, but it might not hurt to check in and see what it would take to get Eller.

Chicago Blackhawks center Max Domi reacts after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center in San Jose. (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Blackhawks center Max Domi reacts after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center in San Jose. (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Detroit Red Wings could capitalize on two forwards from Chicago.

Now, it’s not Patrick Kane, and the Detroit Red Wings are surely not in on him, but there are two other forwards in the Blackhawks organization that could very well serve as beneficial to the Red Wings’ forward core.

Andreas Athanasiou and Max Domi are on expiring contracts and could be players the Red Wings aim to bring in before the Friday deadline. Let’s talk about both of them.

Andreas Athanasiou

The Red Wings are no stranger to Athanasiou, who spent parts of his first five seasons in a winged-wheel uniform. He’s heading toward free agency this summer and could be someone the Blackhawks are looking to trade.

They have had an active deadline, and the Red Wings could capitalize on this by bringing him back. The 28-year-old would bring some speed and quickness to the offense, along with some play-making abilities.

In 2022-23, Athanasiou played 57 games with 12 goals and eight assists for 20 total points. In typical Athanasiou fashion, he has a -18 plus/minus rating. The Red Wings should be looking to target their former forward. It’s worth considering as the trade deadline gets closer.

Max Domi

It’s an intriguing name to think about, but the Red Wings could kick the tires on Domi, seeing what it might take to bring him into the Red Wings’ forward core. The 27-year-old forward is on an expiring deal and would be a more significant addition than any of the names mentioned thus far.

Domi has played in 58 games for the Blackhawks in 2022-23, with 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 total points. He’s been able to tap into the offense on a team that has struggled mightily this season. It’s no shock, as he’s been playing with Kane.

The Red Wings’ offense would likely get a nice boost in Domi, so checking in on what it might take to add him to the mix is worth it. He may be a bigger add than the Red Wings will likely bring in with a trade deadline move, but he’s still someone to consider.

Next. 4 players the Detroit Red Wings should target ahead of the trade deadline. dark

The trade deadline is quickly approaching, and it will be an exciting week for Detroit Red Wings fans as they sit back and wait for Steve Yzerman to act.

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