Detroit Red Wings fans are dying for some more changes following the coaching changes last week. In their minds, a coaching change shakes things up, but there are frustrated Detroit Red Wings players who need more of a wake-up call than a simple change to X’s and O’s.
While the coaching staff can be blamed for confused players and poor lineup selections, and management is responsible for ineffective scouting and its repercussions, the players aren’t living up to anyone’s expectations. Except maybe Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper, and Lucas Raymond who are either meeting or exceeding expectations.
You could place Moritz Seider in that category, and maybe Joseph Veleno, Christian Fischer, and Tyler Motte, too. Cam Talbot has struggled since returning from injury, but that happens and he’s been a trooper this season. Alex Lyon looked great in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Of course, the Maple Leafs weren’t playing their top line most of the third period—likely for player management as they had a game the following day.
Jonatan Berggren isn’t struggling necessarily, but he also hasn’t stolen a spot in the lineup as I’d hoped he would. However, there are few nights that I have questioned his work ethic or desire to make things happen on the ice. The effectiveness is the only thing that I can really question about Berggren’s game.
The remaining veterans leave room for improvement. It’s disappointing to see players who should be able to self-motivate and maintain a positive attitude be the problem. These veterans were brought on to leaders. Instead of setting a good example, these veterans let frustration creep into every facet of the team. They complained to the media about systems, even seemingly relieved when someone lost their job. Regardless of why they talked and acted this way, it’s not what I would expect out of my leadership group. It’s not how I want my team to behave.
With this disappointment, I think it demands, at the very least, the question of who should be moved out. Over the last few weeks, talks have amplified on the Twitterverse and beyond regarding the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres potentially being dance partners. It’s not unusual for division rivals to be trade partners, but also it’s not common—somewhere in between. Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has stated he’s not concerned about trading within the division either. Let’s see about some possible players who might be interested in a change of scenery.
Here are three trade scenarios between the Buffalo Sabres and the Detroit Red Wings
1 Patrick Kane
Tale as old as time, the Buffalo Sabres and Patrick Kane possibly joining forces. Since his interest in departing the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Kane has drawn speculation that he might be interested in going to his hometown team.
It would make for a touching storyline, and the Buffalo Sabres have shown they are focused on becoming competitive. No longer the laughing stock of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Buffalo Sabres have added a plethora of young players to their lineup. Although the Buffalo Sabres have a ways to go, they’re moving in the right direction.
Adding Kane to the mix could be inspiring to an organization picking up steam.
Some questions are begging to be answered:
- Would Kane be okay with the trade?
Kane has a no-trade clause on his $4 million contract, so the only way Kane is traded is if he approves it.
There’s a world where Kane would join the Buffalo Sabres, but I feel like if he wanted to join another organization, he would have done so in the offseason as he was a free agent who could have chosen to play anywhere that was interested in him.
- Would the Buffalo Sabres want Kane?
It’s no secret that Kane has struggled this season.
Like most of the veteran players in the Detroit Red Wings lineup, Kane hasn’t been effective consistently.
He made it abundantly clear that he wanted to focus on offense and pushing play up the ice (making plays, hanging on to pucks), but the former coaching staff had other ideas. They wanted players focused on the system they wanted players to follow, which focused more on dumping (and attempting to chase or change at the most inconvenient of times).
Both teams might be waiting, to see how Kane responds to the new coach before moving forward with anything.
- What would a return look like for a trade involving Kane?
Likely not much coming back to the Detroit Red Wings. Possibly a player like Peyton Krebs who might benefit from a change of scenery again. Neither Kane nor Krebs is a sure thing to make an impact, either, so it’s not devastating to either side. While Krebs is young and from the infamous 2019 NHL Draft, injuries have plagued his career, and he’s yet to find a stable, effective role in the NHL. Meanwhile, Kane has a historic track record but might not ever regain success in the NHL. In this scenario, I think it would be more of a one-for-one scenario than involve other aspects.
However, it’s just as likely that due to Kane’s track record recently, he won’t be on the move any time soon. Realistically, if Kane is traded, it would be a Stanley Cup-contending team closer to the end of the season. One that is looking to add a power play specialist who already has its main five-on-five guys in place. Kane’s son, though, seems to love the Detroit Red Wings organization, so Kane may be as likely to remain a Detroit Red Wings player for the foreseeable future as he seems to have a hold on his dad’s decisions.
2 Albert Johansson, Marco Kasper, & Justin Holl or Jeff Petry
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to add on their blueline.
A candidate that might be enticing is a young Albert Johansson. He’s shown that he can play in the NHL but hasn’t quite found his footing.
With all the veteran defensemen and contracts the Yzerman handed out like candy, there’s frankly not any room to play Johansson regularly in the lineup. Even more concerning is finding an effective defensive partner to play Johansson with as the Detroit Red Wings don’t have many viable options.
Between Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Justin Holl, and Erik Gustafsson, there are many headaches and questionable plays made in each game. None of these players have shown consistency or leadership that I would feel comfortable playing a young, green hockey player with regularly.
A change of scenery and opportunity might help Johansson. Yet, it’s just as likely that this new coaching staff will provide the change of scenery needed, so the Detroit Red Wings may hold on to Johansson just a bit longer.
I’ve seen Detroit Red Wings offering, or believing that the Buffalo Sabres, would trade Marco Kasper.
To me, this possibility doesn’t make much sense. While the Buffalo Sabres should be interested in Kasper, I don’t think the Detroit Red Wings would part with Kasper. He’s already playing in his first full season for the Detroit Red Wings. Although he’s not blowing the doors off, and if our veteran forward group was playing up to snuff he likely wouldn’t be in the NHL at this time, he’s more than earned his spot in the lineup. Since joining the Detroit Red Wings early in the season, he’s only missed one game but that was due to illness—not a healthy scratch situation.
Kasper forced the Detroit Red Wings hands earlier than planned, from what I can gather, so it’s a nice surprise. Kasper coming into the NHL and making a positive impact sooner than later only solidifies my belief that the Detroit Red Wings aren’t moving Kasper. I’m not sure what a return would have to look like for Yzerman to trade Kasper, but I’m not sure that any other team would be willing to part with the assets required to make a Kasper trade happen. For this reason alone, I don’t see Kasper being an option for the Buffalo Sabres in a trade.
If the Buffalo Sabres are looking for a more veteran presence on the blue line, then the Detroit Red Wings have two okay options. Given that they aren’t the most sexy options available, the Buffalo Sabres wouldn’t be required to part with many assets (if any) to make a deal happen.
I can hear the Buffalo Sabres fans laughing as we speak. I agree, I don’t see a world where either Holl or Petry are viable options in a trade, however, if the Buffalo Sabres do need warm, veteran bodies on the blue line, these options do exist. And, they are relatively cheap (and the Detroit Red Wings could retain on either contract to make the trade even more appealing). Of course, there is Chiarot and Gustafsson, but I doubt either has much appeal to the Buffalo Sabres. Chiarot has a high price tag of $4.75 million this year and next. Gustafsson only has a $2 million cap hit, but his level of play reflects the smaller price tag, but Gustafsson still hasn’t earned his contract.
Of the four defensemen available, only Gustafsson does not have a no-trade clause. The others have limited no-trade clauses (Chiarot and Holl both have a 10-team list no-trade list, while Petry has a modified no-trade). These factors complicate trades, so Gustafsson may be the only realistic one to move and I’m not sure that he will draw any interest from any other team at this point. He’s not played well. Hopefully, the new coach changes things and Gustafsson plays better, but we’ll have to wait and see.
3 J.J. Peterka, Dylan Cozens, & Bowen Byram
Of all the Buffalo Sabres names swirling in trade rumors, the only names that are likely to be on the move are three young players: J.J. Peterka, Dylan Cozens, and Bowen Byram. Much to the disappointment of Detroit Red Wings hoping for a Tage Thompson trade, something like that wouldn’t make sense for either party involved. The Buffalo Sabres would want too much and the Detroit Red Wings wouldn’t be willing to part with the assets required for the trade to happen.
Instead, these young players have been mentioned throughout the Twitterverse.
J.J. Peterka is third in scoring on the Buffalo Sabres, so it seems like he’s unlikely to be on the move. The young German was drafted in 2020 at 34th overall in the second round. He was one of my favorites in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, so I would be very happy if the Detroit Red Wings acquired him.
My biggest hold-up with Peterka is the cost to acquire him, but if the Buffalo Sabres are interested in a defenseman, then we have a few to choose from. However, I’m not sure that any are of interest to the Buffalo Sabres outside of the top two defensemen, and neither are worth trading for as the cost would outweigh their worth to the Buffalo Sabres. In this scenario, I think the Buffalo Sabres wouldn’t be willing to part with Peterka, so I think he’s off the table.
Dylan Cozens is a right-handed forward who can play center. He was part of the infamous 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Picked seventh overall, one after our beloved German, Cozens drew the attention of many public scouts and was a favorite to be drafted at sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings.
Since his draft. year, things haven’t popped off quite as the Buffalo Sabres or Cozens had hoped. He’s recorded 19 total points (eight goals and 11 assists) while accumulating an eye-popping 41 penalty minutes and a -5 rating. Cozens is tied for seventh on the team with the next player mentioned (see below).
Aside from the high penalties, nothing jumps off the screen at me. For a two-way center, it’s fine. Would I want more from Cozens if he were a Detroit Red Wings player? Yes. Would I be disappointed in his output thus far? No. I understand development shows in different ways and, especially for a two-way forward, counting stats might not be the best way to judge the player.
To me, I kind of put him in the same category as Peterka. I’m not sure why the Buffalo Sabres would want to part with Cozens and realistically, I don’t think there’s something in the cupboards for the Detroit Red Wings that would warrant such a return. Cozens is a young player on a good path. The fact that they might be willing to part with him makes me hesitate even more to have interest in trading for him. Maybe it’s just not a good fit and Cozens would benefit from a change of scenery, however, Cozens is a hot commodity in the trade world.
Realistically, I don’t see a world where Yzerman is willing to part with the assets it would require to obtain Cozens.
Byram was the highest-touted defenseman of the 2019 NHL draft. The same draft that saw a young German defenseman picked way too high by a crazy general manager who returned home.
Moritz Seider has put the questions to rest and is the second-best player to come out of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Seider is also the best defenseman out of the draft. It’s not really debatable. Byram, on the other hand, is still working to find his success in the NHL.
According to EliteProspects, the Colorado Avalanche originally drafted left-handed Byram at fourth overall. He possesses a high hockey IQ and hockey sense. When he’s at his best, his vision lends itself to tremendous passing abilities. However, injuries mixed with a robust Colorado Avalanche team led to a stale development path that ended in a trade to the Buffalo Sabres.
So far with the Buffalo Sabres, Byram has earned nine total points (three goals and six assists) in 18 games with a +6 rating. He’s tied with Cozens for seventh overall in scoring on the team.
Out of the three young players the Buffalo Sabres seem to be shopping, Byram interests me the most. The Detroit Red Wings need another young left-handed defenseman who is NHL-ready.
Byram is a bit more seasoned than Edvinsson or Johansson, so it’s likely the Detroit Red Wings have kicked tires on Byram.
The Buffalo Sabres, though, are in need of defense, so I can’t understand why they are looking to move out (or would be willing to part with) Byram. He has a bright future and with the right development could still be a number three or four on a good NHL team. To me, I think their asking price would be way too high if they are in fact willing to trade him.
Based on the overall options that the Detroit Red Wings have and the Buffalo Sabres, I think it’s unlikely the two teams make a trade.
There are pieces that would intrigue both teams, but I think that the trade would be more trouble than it would be worth to either party involved.
Even when we put aside the fact that both teams are in the same division and a similar place in the rebuild, it just seems like they aren’t meant to exchange players or picks at this time. As fun as it is to dream up these options, I think we will likely not see anything happen between these two teams.