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.