Things are starting to heat up on the trade front. Recently, the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, and Colorado Avalanche were involved in a three-team trade.
Now, it’s got me thinking, when will the Detroit Red Wings make a move this season? They have already traded one of my favorite players Olli Määttä to the Utah Hockey Club, so I’m both worried and hopeful that something fun will happen with the Detroit Red Wings.
Of course, there’s a need for a balance of not going too crazy as the Detroit Red Wings attempt to move up their rebuild timeline without hemorrhaging the long-term future.
These are the days that we get to see Steve Yzerman work his real magic. He’s ruthless in terms of trades and seems to only pull the trigger when it feels right. There are plenty of players available on the trade market who should draw the eyes of Yzerman.
Here are three trades that could possibly help the Detroit Red Wings both now and in the future
As bountiful as the names on the trade market are, I can’t help but think that only three really draw my attention. The rest are overpaid, on too long of a contract, or would cost more than they’re worth (arguably, one on this list may fit into all three of these categories, but not from my perspective).
Please keep in mind that I don't want the Detroit Red Wings to make all of these trades, but they're some food for thought.
1 Fabian Lysell (Boston Bruins)
Quite the opposite reasoning for the Detroit Red Wings trading for Fabian Lysell as opposed to number three on this list.
If the Detroit Red Wings are okay with extending their timeline to rebuild, they have quite the appeal of forwards that the Boston Bruins could choose from. They seemingly need help up front now to have any hopes of extending their Stanley Cup contending window. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings need long-term help at forward in their depths charts.
It was clear when both Amadeus Lombardi and Carter Mazur went down that the Detroit Red Wings had a shortage of high-skilled forwards with their Grand Rapids Griffins farm team. Adding someone like Lysell, a high-octane forward, would inject some much-needed talent to the Detroit Red Wings forward group. Lombardi is the only guy who really comes close to Lysell’s style of play, and I think it’s something the Detroit Red Wings need. He hasn’t hit quite a point per game in the AHL, but I’m not sure that’s really a league where you will get the most out of Lysell.
The Detroit Red Wings have the luxury of having quite a few forwards on their roster. If they were to trade one or two, there would be minimal impact on the lineup. On the other end of the spectrum, the Boston Bruins are holding on for dear life. So, I think adding someone like J.T. Compher might benefit all parties involved.
Compher played incredibly well last season but has since been outshined by other players on the roster (particularly Andrew Copp, who has grabbed hold of the second centerman spot in the Detroit Red Wings lineup). In doing so, I think that Compher might have a boost from a change of scenery and might fit in well with the Boston Bruins system.
I’m not sure either team would be interested, but it seems like something that could help all parties involved.
2 Šimon Nemec (New Jersey Devils)
With Šimon Nemec possibly being available, I would think it’s in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings to call and see what the asking price is for the young right-handed defenseman. The Detroit Red Wings in their system as a whole have an overabundance of left-handed defensemen, so the opportunity to add a 20-year-old on the right side is enticing.
Nemec thinks he is ready for a gig outside of the American Hockey League (AHL) and is a bit frustrated with the opportunity he’s being given. It’s unlikely the New Jersey Devils want or are looking to trade him. So in all likelihood, unless a trade offer blows their socks off, they’re not likely to trade him.
Still, I have to wonder if there might be an opportunity to find a promising defenseman being flipped for a few prospects and/or roster players. If it’s something reasonable, the Detroit Red Wings need to consider it as we need long-term help on the right side of the blueline.
3 Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)
I’ve spoken at length about The Alien, but if he’s truly on the trade market, the Detroit Red Wings better be the first in line to make a trade for centerman Elias Pettersson.
They’re in desperate need of a centerman to help Dylan Larkin in the long term. Yes, Andrew Copp has done a phenomenal job on the second line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. I’ve also spoken about Lucas Raymond and how he’s stepping into his own as a superstar player. Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper are great young players, but Larkin is getting close in his careeer where he can’t really wait much longer for help to arrive in terms of two-way centermen.
Of course, there are drawbacks to a player on such a large contract (much larger than anyone else—including the captain of the Detroit Red Wings). My colleague Ben Heydt summed things up much better than I could. I can understand the hesitancy of both Detroit Red Wings and general manager Yzerman.
At the same time, having access to a player like Pettersson does not come around very often. Only 26 years of age (not turning 27 until November), Pettersson is a perfect age to blend into the fold. Larkin is the upper age of the core players’ ages at 28; then we have Kasper on the youngest end of the spectrum at a green age of 20, going on 21 in April. In between, we have Moritz Seider at 23 (24 in April) and Lucas Raymond at 22 (turning 23 in March). Fold in Simon Edvinsson, who is 21, and Sebastian Cossa, who is 22, Pettersson is smack dab in the middle of the group in age.
Age, of course, is only a number so it’s not as important as what Pettersson brings to the table.
When he’s at his best, he’s the top centerman in this league who can play against the highest levels of competition with ease. Pettersson can dictate play with his cerebral mind. The first few times watching him, it made me think he was the brainchild of the Euro-Twins, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. Though, I think after watching Pettersson for the last number of years (from afar), he looks more like he wants to play like Datsyuk, but should lean more into the Zetterberg train of thought. Adding a bit of Johan Franzén to the mix might help things as well for Pettersson.
Watching Datsyuk play hockey is the most entertaining hockey anyone can witness. I understand the appeal of players wanting to emulate bits and pieces of his game. Pettersson, when he’s confident and feeling it, can make plays that look Datsyukian-esk. In reality, I think if Pettersson could find a bit more inner Zetterberg, it would help his game take off. Zetterberg wasn’t as well respected around the league, but anybody who had the privilege to watch or play with Zetterberg knew his worth. An invaluable leader to all teammates and a guy with an unbreakable mental toughness. He knew he didn’t need to win every shift to be the best player on the ice. Instead, he waited for teams to make mistakes, then made them pay on the scoreboard (and possibly take a dumb penalty in the process).
Here’s a highlight video reel:
Please note I don’t think Pettersson quite meets the level of play of Datsyuk and Zetterberg, but I think he possesses similar tools that they did while playing hockey. I think with the right development, he could be something special. Right now, though, he’s not at that level. To me, I understand why he’s not reaching his potential.
Pettersson likely needs to stay off social media and find a place with less toxic media.
Needing these two things doesn’t make Pettersson soft or weak. It’s just the facts of life. Each person is different in what they need to be successful, and some players thrive off of the craziness that comes with playing on a hockey team in a Canadian market. When things are going well, the players are near god-like personnel. When things fall apart, they start treating players like they’re the worst thing on the planet. It’s not fair to anyone, but I can understand the intrigue to some degree.
For Pettersson, I think he’s an intense guy who cares deeply about things, possibly too much for his own good. If things are going great, then it’s all roses, but the moment it turns sour, there’s nothing but thornbushes.
Having a player like Larkin or even Rayond to have around is something that could help Pettersson’s mindset. Not getting too high when things are going well, but not beat himself up when things are going not so great. On the personal side of things, I can’t speak to, but professionally, Larkin’s years in the National Hockey League (NHL) have to be some of the hardest a player has traversed. From losing his captain so abruptly to having all his best friends traded, to having to rebuild the pieces of a lost Detroit Red Wings ship, to switching general managers and coaches, things couldn’t have been easy. In facing these hardships, Larkin has only become stronger (as a leader and a player).
I have nothing but love and respect for Quinn Hughes, but if a player hasn’t faced these struggles, then he can’t know what it’s like. On the other end of the spectrum, Raymond is so new (even though he’s four seasons in now, so crazy) but has a calm, mature presence. He doesn’t seem to care so much about the past or future, emphasizing the present. He understands confidence comes from hard work and being prepared, not from things people can’t control. It’s something that I think would help Pettersson over the long term.
Meanwhile, even in Pettersson’s down games, he’s still an effective player. This season hasn’t gone his way, but he’s still earned 30 total points (11 goals and 19 assists) in a not-so-good season for the Vancouver Cancucks as a whole. They’re three points outside of a wild card (behind the Calgary Flames who have one game in hand on the Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche who have played two more games but have an eight-point lead on the Vancouver Canucks). All this being said, Pettersson is not alone in the under-performing players on an underwhelming Vancouver Canucks team.
Of course, when a player makes $11.6 million, that player will hold the highest expectations on the team.
Playing for a team that has media coverage that can’t get away with the same type of toxic coverage should help Pettersson, as well. Yzerman and even new head coach McLellan don’t tolerate nonsense from the media. Sure, we have reporters asking silly or “dumb” questions, but nothing like the things the Vancouver Canucks media is able to get away with.
I think these things, coupled with coach McLellan’s style, could bring the best out of Pettersson more often than not. McLellan’s an honest coach who knows the buttons to push or when to hold back to get players to their top form. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with players over the long term. I’m not sure how Rick Tocchet runs things, but I know I’ve loved what I’ve seen from McLellan and his impact on the Detroit Red Wings players.
For as much as I think Pettersson needs the Detroit Red Wings, I think the Detroit Red Wings need Pettersson. A true number one or one-a-centerman who is capable of helping this Detroit Red Wings reach new heights. It’s not so much a focus this season, as things got way out of hand around Christmas time, but Pettersson can have an impact for years to come in the Winged Wheel down the middle.
In my original write up, I thought maybe a volume trade might get things done (probably not, what do I know), but something like:
Nate Danielson
Ben Chiarot (helps bring leadership and physicality to the backend and has played top minutes pretty regularly for the Detroit Red Wings)
J.T. Compher or Andrew Copp
Michael Rasmussen
Trey Augustine
First round pick in 2025
Who do you hope the Detroit Red Wings trade for this season?