5 Detroit Red Wings players that should not be traded
The Detroit Red Wings, with the National Hockey League (NHL) trade deadline approaching, need to hang on to these 5 players and here’s why.
This season is slightly different for the Detroit Red Wings than in years past. They have a real chance of chasing a playoff spot, and I anticipate Steve Yzerman’s approach to the trade deadline changes accordingly.
There are many needs that the Detroit Red Wings have. Thankfully, these holes aren’t as glaring as in seasons past, but change is still necessary to move forward.
Expectedly, players will move in and out of the Red Wings’ roster. Of course, there will not be a substantial return without giving up high-value assets.
As important as it is to acquire valuable players is maintaining valuable players. There is a fine balancing act that Yzerman needs to perform. Channeling my wannabe Yzerplan, I've thought of players who might be get traded but my do not trade list seems easier to form.
These 5 Detroit Red Wings players should not be moved this season.
They bring tangible and intangible qualities that aren't easy to find. Two players are considered prospects, while three are on the Red Wings roster. Expectedly, my list differs from yours and I would love to know who you wouldn't want to trade if you were Yzerman.
1. Jonatan Berggren, the Detroit Red Wings "Swedish Gem"
It’s wild to me to see the change in fan perception of players over time. From Evgeny Svechnikov to Filip Zadina, the Detroit Red Wings fans can turn vicious at times.
In previous seasons, it was difficult to read some things Detroit Red Wings fans wrote about young players, and still do, about young players like Zadina. Some people seem to forget that these players are in fact, real people, it seems.
The new guy on the block is Jonatan Berggren.
This year’s candidate hits a bit differently with all the negativity surrounding him.
While I've enjoyed watching players' careers in the past, Berggren's journey is one I have identified with differently from when the Red Wings drafted him. From his upbeat attitude to the adversity he's faced in such a young life to the funny antics he creates behind the scenes speaks volumes of him.
In the grand scheme of things, I know very little.
I know that Berggren is a darn good hockey player, and he possesses the most invaluable quality in any sport. He has fun, which should not be underestimated in life.
Having fun, no matter the circumstances, eases the tension, alleviates stress to some degree, and helps people go above and beyond things they never thought were possible.
For me, I know I do much better at any task I’m given if I’m having fun.
feed
The NHL is a grueling season that is nearly impossible to complete successfully, which is just the start for hopeful teams. Then, the goal is to move to an even greater insurmountable task—the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Berggren has shown that he will have fun. Even on nights when he doesn’t have it, I still see Berggren finding something to smile about. Some of those smiles might be based on sarcasm, but a smile is important nonetheless.
This season seems to be the most difficult for Berggren regarding on-ice difficulties (at least from the time I began watching him). Admittedly, he’s seemed frustrated since returning to the Grand Rapids Griffins. I can’t blame him if there is frustration building.
Maybe people misconstrue this frustration as a poor attitude, but that’s a bit misplaced in my opinion.
The fact that he’s frustrated with the success he’s proven for the Grand Rapids Griffins last season (arguably the worst season for the Grand Rapids Griffins in a long time) and this season makes him a human. Nothing more.
Hopefully, the Red Wings can work with Berggren and give him a real opportunity on the power play in the middle six forward group after the trade deadline or next season (if Berggren elects to stay, which I hope he does).
I think both parties, the Red Wings and Berggren, stand to gain so much from each other. Having Berggren learn from some of the greatest, most effective offensive forwards in the league might be tantalizing enough to stay (if he accepts the challenge to keep fighting for his spot in the NHL).
2. David Perron, the Detroit Red Wings "soul"
I hear the discourse now: David Perron is the reason Berggren doesn’t have a real chance with the Detroit Red Wings.
To a degree, I see the argument. At the same time, I think there is room for Perron and Berggren. Berggren is a big reason I want Perron to stay with the Detroit Red Wings for the remainder of the season (and over the next few seasons if he’ll stay).
If there’s one veteran forward that I want my young forwards to learn from, it’s Perron. His attitude remains the same wherever he plays in the lineup. He is one of the best puck protectors I’ve watched, and he is passionate about the game and making the playoffs. His talents may also help guys figure out how to play at different speeds.
Guys like Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, and Patrick Kane push the pace of play quickly, whereas Perron does things in his own way and is very effective at it. So many players, especially young ones like Berggren, think they have to go dancing in the offensive zone all by themselves and take on five guys at once. Sometimes, it’s better to take a moment or surprise the opponent as a trailing player in the rush, like I see Perron do regularly.
Also, the Red Wings guys seem to play better when he’s in the lineup and in the locker room. Perron knows exactly where he wants to be when the season is over, holding Lord Stanley. His winning mentality and the expectation to win every season is imperative to instill a culture of winning, which is one of the most challenging and delicate things to build in the NHL.
feed
3. Christian Fischer, "The Key" for the Detroit Red Wings
Forward Christian Fischer is becoming one of my favorite Detroit Red Wings players and may be one of the most important guys on the Red Wings.
Over the last couple of games, I’m sure it’s happened previous to these games as I’m slow to catch on to things; I have noticed the Red Wings struggle at times. Then, Fischer’s line comes on the ice granted there’s more than just Fischer on that line, but he seems to drive it. Either with a hard hit, stirring it up with the opponent, helping with extended zone time, or a dangerous scoring chance, Fischer seems to inspire Larkin.
It’s ironic that our engine sometimes needs a key to turn it on, but the shifts of Larkin following Fischer’s line seem to have a different feel to them.
Fischer isn’t likely to cost much money or term either, so I’d be happy to keep him this year and as long as he wants to stay. He doesn’t take a spot from a young guy and, in fact, provides some of the best qualities in a player that I would love young players to learn from.
4. I can't imagine the Detroit Red Wings without Olli Määttä
This article wouldn’t be complete without my support of Detroit Red Wings defenseman Olli Määttä.
“He’s taking a spot away from Simon Edvinsson!"
If you feel that way, I can see where you are coming from.
My counter to your thought is that if Yzerman thinks Edvinsson is ready, then Yzerman will make room. Yzerman has demonstrated this idea with Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and Joseph Veleno.
At the very least, Yzerman thinks Edvinsson can use seasoning with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Maybe he wants players to have a similar experience to the Syracuse Crunch and the Tampa Bay Lightning, or maybe he wants Edvinsson to work on consistency. Perhaps something entirely different, who knows?
With all that said, both Määttä and Red Wings’ head coach, Derek Lalonde, have shown they have no problem with sitting out for a game or two. Time on ice or role doesn’t seem to impact Määttä’s play, either. Whether he’s playing over 18 minutes or playing less than 15 minutes, we get the same output from Määttä.
It’s a great trait for a veteran to have for numerous reasons. Firstly, it helps the team and coach feel confident with icing Määttä. Secondly, young players can learn from them a guy like Määttä. It may allow them to understand that it’s okay not to play every game or be the star player.
feed
Määttä seems to have a calming, consistent presence that I think every team needs.
Määttä was one of the first, if not the first, veteran to join the Red Wings, willingly, who isn’t just looking for free money. In his introductory media availability after signing with the Red Wings, Määttä expressed his desire to improve his own game. For any player that sets a great example that, no matter where a player is in his career, he can always improve and learn.
Having his name on the Stanley Cup helps Määttä’s case, too. In a league where proven winners are few and far between, this characteristic of Määttä’s shouldn’t be underestimated.
My final reason, at least for the time being, as to why I want to keep Määttä is his possible impact on the young defensemen coming up. He seems like a perfect candidate to pair with a young Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, or William Wallinder.
As a high draft pick himself, Määttä understands the abilities young players have and the pressures they face. On the ice, maybe he can help them find a balance between the risk and reward. We’ve seen flashes of Määttä’s offensive gifts on display, so I know he has those same abilities. He chooses when and how he uses them.
Realistically, with a player like Edvinsson, one might hope to see the skill show up more often than not but this might not be for the best for a low event style team.
He’s the perfect candidate for young defensemen to learn from if that’s something that Määttä is interested in doing.
5. Albert Johansson, leader of the Detroit Red Wings "Sassy Swedes"
Speaking of a player who knows about winning, Detroit Red Wings prospect Albert Johansson, leader of the "Sassy Swedes," knows about winning with a Swedish Hockey League (SHL) championship title to his name.
Johansson is still working on consistency, gaining strength, and his gap control (based on my viewings). I’m sure there are other things he is working on, but those are the areas of opportunity that I have noticed. These opportunities are pretty common with young defensemen.
Interestingly enough, even with his lack of consistency, Johansson is a team-leading plus-ten for the year with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Alone, plus/minus isn’t a great statistic, but what if I told you that only nine players are plus on the entire Grand Rapids Griffins team?
If that doesn’t impress you much, I understand Shania Twain.
More important than his plus/minus, Johansson possesses skills you cannot teach. Sometimes, I joke that he has eyes that can see everywhere on the ice all at once, but it’s only half-jokingly. Johansson is stupendous with his vision and playmaking. He reads play effectively in all zones, but this trait is most prominent at stopping opponents from cycling in his own zone. Even more importantly, once he gets the puck in the defensive zone, Johansson doesn’t sit there thinking of what to do. He already knew where he was going well before he had the puck (or so it seems).
I’m not sure if Johansson’s skill is considered elite or ever will be, but it’s certainly high-end.
On top of his high-end qualities, Johansson seems to be working on his shot and getting shots through to the net. Although three goals doesn’t seem like much, Johansson had five goals in 53 games played last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
feed
Another trait that I love about Johansson, especially for his slight frame (6-foot 185 lbs), is his feistiness. He backs down from no one and nothing. Quite similar to another player in the Red Wings’ system (see below), Johansson protects himself and his teammates.
For instance, on Wednesday night’s game (on January 24, 2024), an opponent kneed fellow Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa in the head. Who went to the box immediately following the commotion for roughing (and brought the opposing player to the box with him)? Johansson.
Johansson may be a bit too aggressive at times. His climbing penalty minutes indicate as much, but it’s refreshing to see. Sometimes, the Red Wings lack a spine. Icing a player like Johansson helps provide at least part of a spine.
In the future, Johansson might be the perfect defensive partner for another mean customer in Seider. Anytime I see Johansson in between whistles on the ice, he’s in the thick of the huddles on the ice. He’s directing traffic, telling teammates where they should be. I’m unsure how important these qualities are for Seider’s defensive partner. Still, if he’s looking for someone with effective communication who is a great all around teammate, Johansson is the guy.
There aren’t many players with his skill or spiciness, so Johansson is definitely a prospect that I’d hang on to if I’m Yzerman.
A deep dive into Moritz Seider and what he means to the Detroit Red Wings. A deep dive into Moritz Seider and what he means to the Detroit Red Wings. dark. Next