While the Detroit Red Wings managed to get their hands on a gritty middle-six forward and a top-four defenseman, according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, they were hoping to make more moves. Seravalli appeared on the Kevin Karius Show earlier this week to discuss the deadline. The Red Wings were mentioned among several teams on the hunt for a bigger acquistiion.
"I think Detroit, Carolina, Montreal, Utah, Boston, those are the teams that were all in that mix this deadline that were starving for something a lot bigger than what they could get their hands on," Seravalli said. "The market never really materialized."
This explains general manager Steve Yzerman's moves (or lack thereof) for difference-makers this deadline season. It also likely sheds light on why marquee names like Robert Thomas and Vincent Trocheck weren't moved by their respective teams. This, of course, doesn't mean that Yzerman isn't due for criticism, but it helps shed light on why a move never manifested.
Blame shared on market, Red Wings
Some will look at this bit of information and assume that Yzerman's hands were tied. Others will say that his lack of moves at the center position weren't enough and that it's directly led to the situation the team is in now. The truth is likely somewhere between these two anwers. Yes, the market didn't properly form for a blockbuster trade. But, if things don't go your way, do you give up, or do you try to shift gears?
There were plenty of centers available outside Trocheck and Thomas. If the Red Wings were truly determined to land a 2C, they could've just as easily traded for someone like Brayden Schenn, who now fills in as the New York Islanders' second line center. Having said that, is a 34-year-old with just 31 points on the season truly the solution to Detroit's 2C woes? After all, Andrew Copp has more points in fewer games.
A solution is on the horizon
Thankfully, the "what if"s won't last for long. There are just 14 regular season games left on the schedule for the Red Wings. If they clinch the playoffs along the way, they'll have even more hockey left to play. But this recent injury rash has exposed a major flaw in Detroit's depth. Not only will the Red Wings aggressively pursue a solution this offseason, other teams will know it, too.
Teams looking to offload their 2C see what the Red Wings don't have and will likely try to drive a hard bargain. Luckily, the offseason has a much longer runway than the trade deadline. Still, Yzerman will have his work cut out for him with finding a solution. While he can certainly try to promote from within, the consensus appears to be that a solution needs to come externally.