The 4 Nations Face-Off will reach its epic conclusion tonight in what should be a hotly-contested battle between the US and Canada, one that even some of the biggest rivalries in sports (Ohio State vs. Michigan, Ravens vs. Steelers, and the Yankees vs. Red Sox can’t match). For Red Wings fans also pulling for the US, they’ll be looking for one more remarkable performance from Dylan Larkin.
But for general manager Steve Yzerman, he’s got some homework to do, and that includes watching a few players who’ll be taking the ice tonight. Now the question is, who should he be watching and why?
The short answer: Players I’d love to see the Wings acquire, but most likely won’t. The first name on this list is the longest shot, as they’re currently playing for a moderately competitive team at the moment. Still, that team could backslide following the break, and through a series of events, he could become expendable.
The other two names also aren't entirely realistic, but their team seems like it’s been in shambles over the past calendar year and you can’t argue that they’d bring in a slew of high-end prospects and draft capital.
Now, there are no guarantees that all three of them will play tonight, but they are part of the projected lines, which is what I’m basing this take on. Anyway, let’s get on with it.
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Oh yes, Zach Werenski is Player No. 1, and before I go any further, I’ll concede that a lot, and I mean a lot, needs to happen for the Red Wings to acquire a player like him. For one, the Blue Jackets alternate captain has a steep AAV of nearly $9.6 million, plus he’s got a no-movement clause.
That said, he’ll need to give consent before he gets traded anywhere. Plus, the Blue Jackets are having a better-than-expected season, which would give him even more incentive to stay in Ohio’s state capital. So, the Jackets would have to come out of the 4 Nations Face-Off and just tank.
Still, he’s worth watching, and, if the Blue Jackets were to make him available at or near the deadline, Yzerman should go for it. Farfetched? Maybe. But remember, Werenski’s been in the league for nine seasons and has played in 541 games to date, seeing little success with the Blue Jackets for all of his efforts.
Unlikely, but not something to rule out. Plus, the Wings need another defenseman who can put points up, and Werenski would give them that. Yeah, it would cost a lot to make this trade, and it would likely involve someone like Simon Edvinsson, a first-rounder, and near-NHL-ready prospects if something like this were to happen.
But if the Wings soared and the Jackets tanked, then Steve Yzerman must do something to put his team in the best possible position. That would mean pulling off this unlikely trade should such an instance arise.
Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers
Oh, if there’s ever a top-six player for Yzerman to go after, it’s Travis Konecny, and his presence would be all but a guarantee that the high-octane Red Wings would be here to stay. Something that makes Konecny attractive here is for a similar reason as Werenski: he’d go elsewhere at a high price.
But then again, that eight-year deal with a no-movement clause he recently signed is a likely guarantee that Konecny isn’t leaving Philadelphia any time soon. Or, could the Flyers simply look to dish off the 28-year-old elsewhere while he’s still in his prime - and with the asking price at a maximum? That’s if someone wanted to take on such a contract.
As with Werenski, a trade for Konecny wouldn’t occur until the trade deadline itself, as the Flyers would need to be in such shambles that general manager Daniel Briere would have no choice but to push the reset button. Still, I’ll never put anything past Steve Yzerman these days and if he sees an opportunity, he’s likely to at least inquire.
So far this season, Konecny has 22 goals and 61 points, and he’s been the only Flyers player worth watching whose name isn’t Matvei Michkov. A first-round pick, Marco Kasper, and at least one big-name prospect would be the minimal asking price here, then there’s the question of how the Wings would fit in Konency’s contract.
Ultra long shot, much like Werenski, but if the opportunity presents itself, acquiring someone like Konecny would be a massive win for the Wings. Even at the asking price laid out, though it would hurt to lose a favorite of mine in Kasper.
Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers
Unlike Zach Werenski, who has five points in three games so far, Travis Sanheim has one assist in just two contests. Still, he’s projected to see ice time on the third pairing, and while there’s not much room for him to make a huge impact for points in this game, it doesn’t mean Sanheim is a bad option for the Wings.
Overall, it’s more realistic to bring him in as opposed to Werenski or Konecny, and he can be a playmaker at even strength, with 21 assists so far to go with six goals. Sanheim is also good at getting in front of pucks, which, if he were in Detroit, would further subtract the number of shots on goal allowed. As of the 4 Nations break, Sanheim’s blocked 126 of them.
He also leads all Flyers defensemen in points so far and the margin isn’t even close, with Rasmus Ristolainen trailing by a substantial margin with 15. Sanheim does have a full no-trade clause, so that could put a damper on a move like this. But still, he’d be going from a losing team to one that’s found its game, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind waiving it.