4 impactful moves for the Detroit Red Wings to make to stay on track

The Detroit Red Wings should invest in the future with Thomas Novak.

First up, the Detroit Red Wings are known for swapping players to shake things up. They have moved on from players in the past, like shipping out forward Jakub Vrana in a move that offered him a change of scenery before the Red Wings likely got to see much of him on the ice due to a litany of issues. That’s a situation in its own right, but Yzerman is fearless in shaking things up.

He took a chance on Robby Fabbri years ago when the Detroit Red Wings traded with the St. Louis Blues, and he’s been around since. Investing in a player who may be more than a rental may be more of a deadline deal, but the Red Wings should consider picking up the phone and seeing where the Nashville Predators are at with forward Thomas Novak.

The 26-year-old forward has reached the end of his restricted free agent (RFA) years and will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer. In 2022-23, Novak may have only played in 51 games, but he was closing in on 20 goals by the season’s end. He finished the year with 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 total points, nearly performing at a point-per-game pace.

It would require taking a chance since Novak will want an extension, and Yzerman would have to shell out some cash to get that done, but it’s a deal worth considering. Nashville may be considering a move, avoiding an extension with him. Detroit could swoop in and take a chance on a solid centerman who could slot into the bottom six for some excellent added depth.

While the Red Wings have some younger players of their own to keep progressing into the NHL from the minors, Novak has his NHL legs under him and is worth at least a conversation.

Detroit Red Wings should phone an old friend to shake up the goalie room.

I understand the Detroit Red Wings’ goaltending problem is not the whole group. James Reimer has played well in the backup role, and Alex Lyon has not seen the ice for a game yet. Ville Husso’s performance has been a problem through the early parts of the season.

Even with the Detroit Red Wings winning early in the year, Husso’s play has been lackluster. Improvements need to be made, but I don’t know where that comes from right now. Husso is still under contract through next year, and it’s a bit early to talk about dumping him, but maybe there’s another move to consider.

The Red Wings can roll the dice with their current trio of goaltenders. That might work, but I’m not sure I’d bank on that trio being successful in a playoff run if the Red Wings’ offense sputters. But if they want to get aggressive, why not consider a local player? In doing so, they could phone an old friend and do them a favor.

If Steve Yzerman wants to get really bold, he could reach out to former Red Wings GM Ken Holland, who has plenty to work on with things in Edmonton. The team demoted Jack Campbell to the minors, and there are rumors that he may be on the trade block. Now, there’s some negatives here. Campbell is signed through the 2026-27 season, and it’s not a pretty deal. He’s owed $3.85 million for the remainder of his three years after 2023-24.

Campbell had a few good seasons in Toronto before heading to Edmonton, and things have not exactly gone well there, especially in 2023-24. He’s played in just five games for the Oilers, where he has a 4.50 GAA and an .873 SV%, which led to his demotion to the AHL.

It would cost a lot and be an investment for years to come, but if the Red Wings wanted to really shake things up, considering a move for Campbell is worth looking into. It’s unlikely, and there could be better options out there, but Holland is an ally here, and Edmonton may be looking to change things up as well, so there could be room for a deal. It’s unlikely, but it could bring some needed change to the goaltending room.

Detroit Red Wings need to shake things up in the bottom of the defense core.

This one is going to be more of a two-parter. For the Detroit Red Wings, the defense core needs work and, moreover, needs some retooling. They could switch things up in the bottom pairings and also try to mix in some fresh faces. However, there could be more to the story for the Red Wings.

When it comes to the Detroit Red Wings’ defense core, there is some help waiting in the stables. While Simon Edvinsson has some NHL experience, it is limited to nine games from the 2022-23 season, when he got his legs under him. He made his debut, and the Red Wings got the chance to work him in with their defense core.

With some off-season additions, the Red Wings may be considering some internal options or promoting Simon Edvinsson after he was unable to break. camp with the team. He would likely take a bottom-pairing spot and probably bump Olli Määttä from a roster spot for the time being. So it would require a corresponding move, but there’s room to consider shaking things up and giving Edvinsson a shot.

Edvinsson is currently with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he has scored three goals and an assist in ten AHL games in 2023-24. For Detroit, Edvinsson is spoken about with similar enthusiasm to Moritz Seider. Getting him to Detroit has taken some time, but he deserves a shot. But there may be more time for Yzerman to make that call. That being said, let’s see what’s behind door no. 2…

Detroit Red Wings could explore another trade option.

For the Red Wings, they may consider calling up the Calgary Flames. The rumors are that big-bodied defender Nikita Zadorov is looking for a new home. The pending UFA could be moved, and Detroit could take a chance on the 6-foot-6, 248-pound defenseman. There are already some teams lined up to take chances on Zadorov.

However, the Red Wings could consider a move with the Flames. The Flames are also looking to trade Christopher Tanev, which could go along with the potential of shaking things up overall A deal for Zadorov himself might only require some draft capital or a low- to mid- tier prospect. Throwing Tanev into the mix makes it a tougher sell, but Detroit certainly has some options if they do want to shake things up.

A trade may not be likely or on the horizon, but the Red Wings have some options ahead. They can consider making a move, trying to bring in an added boost for the next stretch of the Red Wings season.

The Detroit Red Wings should cave and sign Patrick Kane.

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The Detroit Red Wings should bite the bullet on what it might cost and try to lock down a deal with Patrick Kane. The added offense and veteran presence boost would be a welcomed addition to the team’s top six.

Kane is still a free agent and has yet to find a team. Detroit was reported as one of the teams who has been monitoring him, but no one has pounced to sign the soon-to-be 35-year-old forward. The longtime Chicago Blackhawks forward was dealt last year, chasing another Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers.

Kane still managed 21 goals and 36 assists for 57 total points over 71 games played between his time with the Blackhawks and Rangers in 2022- 23. There’s no reason that Detroit would not benefit from some added offense. They already have a good bit of offensive influx in 2023-24, but why would they not add more?

Detroit should consider taking a chance on the veteran forward. He could be reunited with Alex DeBrincat and hope to breathe more offense into the Red Wings’ mix. Early in the year, Detroit was scoring at a nearly historic pace, but things have cooled off a bit since then.

While not everyone is a fan of Kane, his output on the ice would be a welcome addition to the Red Wings’ forward core. The Red Wings could spend some money to add another weapon. Whether he’s 35 years old or not, Kane has been a perennial scoring forward for the past 16 years, so I’m sure he’s got some offense left in the tank.

Detroit wants to compete and go toe-to-toe with a team in a best-of-seven match-up next spring. Adding Kane would give the Red Wings a boost in their attempt to accomplish this.