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