Another couple of major trade deadline dominoes fell on Wednesday, leaving the Detroit Red Wings still searching for help.
Tyler Myers was sent to Dallas, Colton Parayko is rumoured to be heading to Atlantic Division foe, the Buffalo Sabres, if he waives his no-move, the Utah Mammoth acquired Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, and the Colorado Avalanche added Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators.
The moves being made
As written by my colleague Scott Rogust, Myers was acquired by the Stars at 50% retained, lowering his cap-hit to $1.5 million for the remainder of this season and next. In return, the Vancouver Canucks picked up a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 fourth-round pick.
Parayko remains under contract until the completion of the 2029-30 season at $6.5 million per year and has posted one goal and 13 assists in 58 games. Parayko also appeared for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. If Parayko does indeed waive his no-move, the part of the expected return for the 32-year-old defenseman is the Sabres’ 2026 first-round pick and 2025 first-round selection Radim Mrtka. Mrtka, the ninth overall selection at last year's draft, has appeared in 35 games with the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds. The defenseman has recorded one goal and 28 assists, ranking first among all Thunderbird defenseman in points. The Czechia-native also appeared in five games at the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota.
Weegar has recorded three goals and 18 assists across 60 games played this season, while making $6.25 million until the completion of the 2030-31 season. In return, the Flames acquired former Red Wing Olli Määtä, three 2027 second-round draft picks and the signing rights to NCAA free agent Jonathan Castagna.
Blankenburg was acquired in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. The pending unrestricted free agent has posted six goals and 15 assists through 49 games. The Michigan native’s cap hit sits at only $775,000.
Who remains available for Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings?
The countdown until 3:00 p.m. EST on Friday looms large for Yzerman and the Red Wings. It has long been known that Yzerman prefers to acquire assets with term remaining as opposed to straight rentals.
If the Blues are fully committed to a rebuild, Justin Faulk makes sense for the Red Wings. A right-shot defenseman, making $6.5 million for the remainder of this season and next, Faulk would represent an upgrade to the defensive corps in Detroit. Through 60 games, Faulk has recorded 11 goals and 21 assists.
Rasmus Ristolainen’s name has popped up in trade rumours this week as the Philadelphia Flyers sit on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in. The 31-year-old is making $5.1 million and remains under contract until the end of next season. In 23 games this year, Ristolainen has totalled one goal and five assists, while also representing Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Moved at last year’s trade deadline, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo could be on the move as the Maple Leafs’ season continues to slip away. The 29-year-old has appeared in 38 games this season, registering five assists and a plus-minus rating of plus-four. Carlo holds an eight-team no-trade clause and is under contract at $3.485 million until the end of next year.
Red Wings' assets to deal
The Red Wings hold 28 draft selections over the next four years, only missing a second-round pick in 2027 that was used to acquire John Gibson. The prospects that the Red Wings could use as trade chips involve Carter Bear, Nate Danielson, Shai Buium and William Wallinder.
With two days remaining before the trade deadline hits and the Red Wings holding down a playoff spot, the pressure grows for a move to be made to help secure a playoff spot in Hockeytown.