As the season goes along, the Detroit Red Wings are looking to add to both their National Hockey League (NHL) roster and their prospect pipeline.
I’ve heard speculation that the Buffalo Sabres might be the most interested dance party, but I’m still unsure that they fit with the Detroit Red Wings. It seems like the asking price for the pieces that the Buffalo Sabres are making available is too high for the Detroit Red Wings general manager, Steve Yzerman. Yzerman has been meticulous in drafting (possibly at the expense of other aspects like free agency and professional scouting). In doing so, he’s apprehensive to trade any young guys. Since taking over in 2019, Yzerman has traded Alec Regula (a former pick of Ken Holland, the previous general manager for the Detroit Red Wings) and Andrew Gibson.
Gibson, the bigger of the names that have departed the Detroit Red Wings system, has had a decent World Juniors Championship so far with Team Canada—seemingly used as a top-four defender.
With all the crazy takes going out into the universe, I wanted to share my thoughts on players who I would not trade for any reason.
I’m leaving off the big, obvious names to make things more interesting. Unless a person is a bit off the rails, Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, and Lucas Raymond top most fans lists (whether casual or expert fans). Although the first name, Larkin, has floated around as possibly old or disinterested in leading the Detroit Red Wings, I believe in Yzerman and Larkin as a winning combination and don’t see a world where they spit their paths any time soon. I’m not touching that subject with a 10-foot pole, so try looking elsewhere for a Larkin trade.
These 5 Detroit Red Wings are part of my no-trade list
I’d love to hear who makes your list.
Without further adieu, and in no particular order…
1 Marco Kasper
For context, Marco Kasper is the reason that I’m sharing my list.
I’ve seen people including him in trade proposals for the Buffalo Sabres and Dylan Cozens.
There’s a consensus that a trade involving Cozens would require either Nate Danielson or Kasper. To me, Yzerman wouldn’t trade either as these two centers are part of the foundation of the Detroit Red Wings. Let’s say in theory that Yzerman is willing to trade either I can understand why fans are quick to defend Danielson.
He’s an incredibly gifted two-way forward who is ultra-competitive. His ceiling could top out at a second overall center. A huge win for the Detroit Red Wings over the long run, and I think it’s a realistic expectation of Danielson. There’s really not any area of Danielson’s game that needs to drastically improve. He has to improve as any young player, but I don’t see any weaknesses that may translate to the NHL. The biggest thing Danielson has to work on is adding strength. What else is new with a young player?
Conversely, Kasper seems to be the lesser of the two prospects. Basically, everything I have said about Danielson could be copied and pasted to Kasper’s section. Many fans argue that his ceiling isn’t as high, especially in the offensive zone. I can see, to some degree, this analysis.
There are times that I tend to categorize Kasper in a similar way to Michael Rasmussen. They both see plays and have good instincts. The only problem is their reaction or adapting to a play is just a tick of time too long. Whether it’s a pacing thing or something else, it’s something that Kasper can (and I reckon will) improve. How much? I don’t know.
All I know is not to write off Kasper in any capacity.
Out of all the players, Kasper has one of the most competitive minds I’ve seen. He’s assertive, not overly aggressive, and he will stand his ground for himself, his goaltender, and his teammates. This compete also applies to his own game, though. He’s laser-focused on taking step after step to find success. There’s nothing that Kasper isn’t determined to do for his career and his team.
No matter where his skill level tops out, he’s someone the Detroit Red Wings need to keep around for the long haul.
2 Sebastian Cossa
The Monster and Beast, I used to call Sebastian Cossa interchangeably. However, the new head coach of the Detroit Red Wings has referred to Seider as The Beast, so I guess there can only be one in the Detroit Red Wings organization. Thus, The Monster nickname continues.
Cossa’s record, growth, and attitude all speak for Cossa.
Although the Detroit Red Wings have found some promising depth in net within the organization as a whole, Cossa is still my number one. I’m not trading him. He’s come too far and he’s our dude.
Going from being a surprise as the first goaltender selected in the 2021 NHL Entry Level Draft to a household name, Cossa has proven that Yzerman wasn’t completely crazy to trade up and take him before Ken Holland and the Edmonton Oilers could.
Cossa is steadily progressing, and there’s nothing to suggest he won’t do anything except have a bright future for the Detroit Red Wings organization. It’s a pleasure to watch it play out in front of my eyes.
3 Simon Edvinsson
It’s ironic that I finally found out how to describe Simon Edvinsson’s skating in an analogy. It was even before the TikTok I saw today where a handful of Detroit Red Wings players find out who their celebrity look-alike is, which feeds into my outlandish simile.
Watching Edvinsson skate is like listening to Ariana Grande sing (his celebrity look-alike, and as he says it’s a good look-alike to have). So effortless. Even though I know both are putting forth crazy effort, it doesn’t look like it. Just incredible on both accounts.
As for Edvinsson, I’ve blabbed at great lengths about my feelings of Edvinsson. Those feelings and beliefs in him haven’t changed. I think he has the highest upside of any Detroit Red Wings player, yes even including Raymond and Axel Sandin Pellikka. Do I think it’s likely he hits higher than the latter two? I’m not sure. I hope so, but I can’t confidently say one way or the other.
Realistically, Edvinsson will be a top-three defenseman who floats between the top two pairings. He will help kill penalties on either unit and should already run the second power-play unit. Whatever the kinks the Detroit Red Wings coaches need to work through, they can traverse those waters. In the. next season or so, I expect them to come to the conclusion (that Edvinsson is a power-play quarterback who runs his own unit, whichever they choose). The Detroit Red Wings will be all the better for it.
Add to this baseline, I’ve seen Edvinsson do things that I haven’t seen any other player do. If he can tap into his instincts further, play with confidence on a regular basis, and have the support of his teammates, I think we will see incredible things from Edvinsson.
4 Axel Sandin Pellikka
I mean, we can’t have this list without Axel Sandin Pellikka. I should probably have included Sandin Pellikka in the opening to this article along with Larkin, Seider, and Raymond, but I guess some oddballs may want to trade him for some twisted fantasy.
In reality, most fans will have him on their no-trade list, too.
There have been concerns about pacing and skating, but the more I watch him play, the more I think he will see better success in North America. It’s a higher tempo, but the offensive chances should be easier to come by for Sandin Pellikka. If he can improve his ability to read and play and adjust accordingly, I think Sandin Pellikka will soar to ridiculous heights.
When he taps out, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him regularly on the third pairing and running a power play unit. He might not be the minute muncher but will provide the pops of offense and reliable minutes when the T-Rexes (Seider and Edvinsson) aren’t on the ice. This role isn’t minimizing his impact but helps him flourish and show off his impeccable skills.
5 Amadeus Lombardi
Injuries suck.
Amadeus (Ammo) Lombardi had an amazing start to the season, then something that wasn’t rumored to be of much concern has grown into, will we ever see Ammo again?
Regardless of when Ammo returns to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Ammo will bring back his impressive skill that is being complemented with effective plays. No longer is he making silly moves that lead to a dead-end street. Instead, he brings a fire to his line, teammates, and fans.
He creates such a buzz.
For a team and overall organization that lacks any semblance of skill, the two-way Detroit Red Wings are in desperate need of Ammo’s services over the long haul.
There might be players the Detroit Red Wings could trade for or sign in free agency, but trades usually happen for a reason (things aren’t working out for the current team and player) and free agency involves too much term and money for a highly skilled player.
Ammo is a breath of fresh air in a stale two-way world, and the Detroit Red Wings need to keep Ammo. In a season or two, every Detroit Red Wings fan will be singing his praises.
Bonus: Liam Dower-Nilsson
A prospect who is likely put on the back burner of most people, I still am very much invested in the Liam Dower-Nilsson storyline (and his brother, Noah Dower-Nilsson, too).
The Detroit Red Wings could use some of Liam’s spark on this side of the pond in either the Grand Rapids Griffins or Detroit Red Wings dressing room (or both, why not?). He’s incredibly determined, seems to have a super competitive attitude, and has made his mind up that he’s playing in the NHL from day one. I appreciate that drive and hope to see him over here sooner rather than later.
I’d love to list more players on my list of who I wouldn’t trade. There are so many great options in the Detroit Red Wings system that I wouldn’t want to trade unless Elias Pettersson or Kirill Kaprizov is coming back the other way.
These were just the five (six) that top my very long list.