The Detroit Red Wings have a legitimate chance to land Connor McDavid, but they have to make a few additional moves to make the dream become a reality.
After suffering consecutive defeats in the Stanley Cup Final to the same opponent, the longtime Edmonton Oilers superstar is understandably intent on securing a championship without delay. The Red Wings, meanwhile, boast one of the league’s most promising prospect pools, yet it would be imprudent to suggest that they are fully prepared to contend for a Stanley Cup at this juncture.
A postseason berth appears well within reach, but whether this young roster can translate potential into a sustained playoff run remains an open question.
Possible scenarios
Detroit presently holds $12 million in available cap space, a figure that could rise to approximately $24 million should several pending free agents depart. Financially, the Red Wings thus possess a considerable advantage. Yet, as McDavid has emphasized with unmistakable clarity, his ambitions are not measured in dollars. For him, the calculus is singular: the pursuit of a championship.
“All options are on the table, and that would mean length of term, short term, long term, no term,” McDavid stated recently.
Such circumstances make clear that departing Edmonton—the franchise that selected him first overall in 2015—is no longer a far-fetched notion for McDavid. The pressing question, then, is what steps the Red Wings can take to accelerate their roster’s depth and readiness.
One potential avenue lies in pursuing Jason Robertson. Following Mikko Rantanen’s eight-year, $96 million extension, the Dallas Stars have found themselves pressed tightly against the salary cap, with scarcely more than $400,000 in remaining space.
Having already committed to captain Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene—who led the team with 82 points last season—Dallas may be forced into difficult decisions. Should Detroit capitalize on this moment, its offense would be transformed overnight, while its ongoing effort to refine the blue line could proceed apace.
Crucially, the emergence of Sebastian Cossa in goal provides something McDavid has long sought in Edmonton but seldom enjoyed: stability. Whereas Mike Smith once represented elite potential but ultimately offered inconsistency, and the current tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard is mediocre at best, Detroit can present the desired solution.
If Robertson proves unattainable, alternatives remain. Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets represents a logical target, while Martin Nečas of the Colorado Avalanche—should Colorado prove bold enough to part with him—would be a massive steal. Imagining McDavid and Nečas on a line together. Chilling.
Equally compelling is the prospect of continuing Detroit’s defensive overhaul. Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames has surfaced in trade speculation, and while his production has dipped in recent years, he remains a workhorse averaging nearly 24 minutes per night. Despite his reduction in productivity, he still managed to match his career-high of 11 goals this past season.
As it stands, the Red Wings are well-positioned to pursue McDavid. Yet even if such a pursuit falls short, a move for Kirill Kaprizov could serve as an equally transformative acquisition. Either path would sharpen Detroit into a legitimate contender and accelerate its ascent toward Stanley Cup contention, precisely what McDavid wants.