Near the end of every recent NHL regular season, the league has enforced a trade deadline, after which the teams can no longer make trades. This year is no different, and the season's deadline is Friday, March 7, 2025, at 3 PM Eastern, according to sportsnet.com. They are still allowed to bring players up from or send players down to their AHL affiliate teams within the usual rules during the season. Players can still be placed on waivers after the trade deadline. If they are claimed, they are not eligible to play for the team that claims them for the remainder of the season, as outlined here by prohockeyrumors.com.
There are typically a lot of trades right near this time by teams that are looking to make a playoff push, as well as teams that know they aren't going to make the playoffs and are looking to cash in on a player who has some value to another team. One of the key factors in a player getting traded is if their current contract is expiring at the end of the season. As a team may have a player not re-sign after the contract expires, they may look to trade them in exchange for other players or future draft picks.
Last season was the first time in many years that the Detroit Red Wings were not sellers at the trade deadline. They didn't make any significant moves to help push them into the playoffs, but at least they weren't trading away players that you hope would stay for another year. After missing the playoffs by losing a tiebreaker to Washington, it feels like it might have helped if they could have picked someone for a push at the end of the season. Especially after seeing Jake Walman traded for absolutely nothing during the offseason.
With the recent firing of Derek Lalonde and the new leadership of Todd McLellan on the bench, the Red Wings have been looking much better. Just a short time ago, it seemed like the playoffs were already out of reach for the Wings, and now it seems like they could claw their way back into the race. I had already accepted the fate that this would be another year selling at the playoffs. Now, it's hard to say what is going to happen.
The Detroit Red Wings could be buying or selling at the trade deadline this season.
Not long ago, it looked like they were back to selling at the trade deadline for the Wings this season, but it's tough to say now. Quite a few players are in the final year of their current contract. Here is the list for the Red Wings. Forwards: Patrick Kane, Christian Fischer, Jonatan Berggren, Tyler Motte. Defensemen: Jeff Petry, Albert Johansson, William Lagesson. Goalies: Ville Husso and Alex Lyon.
The way that they have been playing lately, I would not rule out Kane or Berggren as some great trade targets coming to the deadline if the Wings find themselves in the selling position. Kane was in quite a slump and did not look like a trade target long ago, but he's been on fire of late, recording 11 points over the past six games during Detroit's robust six-game win streak. He has had some jumps in his steps and put in some solid performances. Berggren has also turned around a slow start nicely, especially with the recent game-winner in Columbus. There was some trade interest in him last season.
I don't see much interest in Fischer or Motte, although there could be a need for the proper role on a team. Another pair of free agents that I don't think we could move would be Petry or Lagesson. Getting something for Petry at the deadline, regardless of the standings, would be great, but it would be unlikely. There may be some interest in Johansson for the right team. However, I don't see a big return for him at this time. He has had an up-and-down year, so I don't see him moving this season.
The Wings have been carrying three goalies this season again, and with both Husso and Lyon in the final year of their contracts, the trade deadline could be exciting no matter which way the transactions are going. There could easily be a team that is desperate to pick up a quality backup goalie to finish off the season, and any of the current Red Wings goaltending teams could be a solid option for the right team. This is where I see the Wings being able to have the most leverage. It will be exciting to watch how everything works out before March 7th!