The NHL trade deadline isn't until March 6, but there is expected to be movement long before then. The biggest fish o the trade market is undoubtedly New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin. The Rangers are set to sell players by the trade deadline, and Panarin could get them their biggest return.
For Panarin, he does hold the cards. He has a full no-move clause, meaning he has say in where he can get traded to. Not only that, but he prefers to land with a team that will sign him to a contract extension. So, that likely rules out some teams. But as it turns out the Red Wings could be in the running.
During his recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentions the Red Wings as a potential team to acquire Panarin, due in part because General Manager Steve Yzerman doesn't trade for rental players. With Panarin seeking a contract extension, the Red Wings fit the bill in Friedman's eyes.
"Detroit, always tough with [Steve] Yzerman. I definitely think there's interest. Defiitely. But you know, Yzerman, he generaly doesn't like rentals. So can he make a deal there?
"...Washington, definitely extension. I think LA extension...Carolina extension. San Jose extension. Detroit, to me, is absolutely extension," says Friedman.
Elliotte Friedman gives Red Wings good odds of landing Artemi Panarin
Friedman mentions perfectly that when Yzerman makes trades, he doesn't do so for players who are set to hit free agency at the end of the season. He obviously wants to make a long-term impact with the moves he makes. That's like when he traded for goalie John Gibson last offseason, and he's under contract through the end of the 2026-27 season.
TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger mentioned that Yzerman was looking to add a No. 2 center and a right-shot defenseman by the trade deadline. The catch was he wanted to fill both areas of need with "players with term," meaning players that are under contract past this season.
For Panarin, he doesn't fill either need, but he is the best player available at the trade deadline, and can improve any playoff contender's odds of winning the Stanley Cup. There has been a recent catch in the Panarin sweepstakes.
Friedman mentions earlier in that podcast episode that Panarin and his agent are looking for a $50 million extension to sign after the trade. So he's not looking to hit the open market, and wants to sign a lucrative deal at 34-years-old. Friedman expressed pessimism that a team will offer anything close to what he's looking for contract-wise, but mentions the Red Wings, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, and Los Angeles Kings as the teams that are capable of signing him to a contract extension.
The Red Wings could use someone like Panarin, as they rank in the middle of the pack in terms of goals scored per game (3.07 goals for per game, 18th in NHL). It's up to Yzerman to see if e's willing to commit to a contract like that to Panarin. If he wants the team to have a serious chance at contending for a Stanley Cup this year, that might be his best shot.