Detroit Red Wings: to trade for or not to trade for Jeremy Swayman

Current state of the Detroit Red Wings

I know, it’s been far too long since playoffs were in Hockeytown. 

Upsetting to downright disheartening watching the playoff hopes die. In some ways, I’m not sure which is more painful—the 2019-20 season or last season.

Having no chance of playoffs in February or losing because of the silliest tiebreaker in history after one of the most impossible feats in the final game of the season?

Both are equally painful at any given time for me.

Having an NHL-proven goaltender (or two, given that we have arguably two to three in the system already—not even counting Cossa or Augustine since they are not NHL-proven) would surely increase the likelihood of making the playoffs. In the short term.

At the age of 25, Swayman isn’t young, but he’s not old either. For a league that is set on getting younger and faster, goaltenders seem to be an outlier. A relatively healthy goaltender can last well into his 30s, whereas very few skaters have managed to do so in recent years. 

If he maintains even a portion of his high value for five to eight seasons, he’s worth the investment.

It would likely be at the cost of at least one of our current goaltenders and possibly a young one as well. 

Although the Ullmark deal was reasonable (a goalie with 25% retention, a first-round pick, and an NHL-caliber center that likely plays within the bottom six), Swayman would likely be a much steeper price. For one, Swayman received more starts in net, though both goaltenders were great last season.  Two, the Boston Bruins would seek more insurance given they would lose out on both of their star goaltenders (with the Ullmark trade the Boston Bruins likely planned on re-signing Swayman, so things weren’t as high stakes for the team).

In the case of the Swayman, it would demand at least a first-round pick, a proven NHL-level goaltender, and likely a young player at a position of need.  These details, of course, would be a starting point.

The Detroit Red Wings have been stingy with trading their first-round draft picks. They still have their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, though, so it is doable.

In terms of in net, the Detroit Red Wings went shopping in free agency and arguably over-signed goaltenders. They currently have these goaltenders within the Detroit Red Wings system (via Puckpedia):

Cam Talbot = $2.5 million, 1 year remaining
Alex Lyon = $900k, last year
Ville Husso = $4.75 million, last year
Jack Campbell = $775k, last year
Sebastian Cossa = $863,334, 1 year remaining
Carter Gylander = $855k, 1 year remaining
Gage Alexander = $810k, last year

Likely, Jack Campbell is a depth signing and heading to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Carter Gylander and Gage Alexander are likely depth pieces as well to help the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toledo Walleye with depth. 

Cossa is a piece that comes into play, as does the un-signed Augustine. Of course, the Boston Bruins might kick tires with the young goaltenders, but the Boston Bruins are still in the win-now phase it seems. Until they prove otherwise on the ice, I suspect they want NHL-proven players rather than prospects (no matter how exciting they might be).

The remaining three goaltenders should draw some attention.

There are positives and drawbacks to each. 

For Ville Husso and Lyon, the one year remaining should draw interest. 

Husso’s price tag and injury history might scare teams away, but the Detroit Red Wings might be able to retain salary as it doesn’t appear there are any on the books for 2024-25. Keep in mind that teams may only retain up to three players’ salary, teams can only retain up to 50% of a player’s salary (there are other conditions, but we won’t get too technical), and that the Detroit Red Wings don’t have an abundance of cap space this season (or the next few seasons), so cap space will be important.  Since the contract ends this season and is already figured into the cap space, the Detroit Red Wings may be willing to retain up to 50% of the contract.

If I’m Yzerman, I might try sending Husso. Then again, Husso showed promise in his preseason starts and was on fire in the game against Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins.

I could see the Boston Bruins preferring Husso’s history based on the number of games played, but I’d have to think they’d ask for Lyon.

Lyon is peanuts in a small salary cap world and exceeded expectations for both the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. He’s okay taking a backseat role or stepping up as a starter (though he does best when he gets an opportunity to rest regularly).

There is also Cam Talbot, who hasn’t played a regular season for the Detroit Red Wings. The second year might not be ideal as teams seem to like flexibility with the salary cap, but his tenure in the league may draw the most attention from the Boston Bruins. Since the $2.5 million cap hit would carry into next season, I’m not sure that Yzerman would be keen on retaining salary. If he did, it likely wouldn’t be more than 25% of the contract.

None of these scenarios are perfect for the Boston Bruins or Detroit Red Wings, but I’m not sure that the Boston Bruins have a better pool of goaltenders to choose from in the NHL.