The Red Wings can afford to keep Guentzel long-term
Steve Yzerman is one of the NHL’s most calculating general managers. He has managed to pull off a plethora of big moves over the years, and yet his team has a good deal of cap space not only at the deadline, but following the season. So, there is a good chance the Red Wings could keep Guentzel around long-term if they trade for him.
There are also quite a few forwards on the Red Wings who will be unrestricted free agents this summer, including David Perron and Patrick Kane, both of whom will be over 35. Wouldn’t it be great for Detroit to have someone like Guentzel succeed Perron while keeping the option open to bring Kane back for another year?
Not just that, but imagine the chemistry Guentzel would build with skaters who will find themselves in Detroit for a while, like Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, and Michael Rasmussen.
There is no way the Red Wings can go wrong trading for Guentzel, given their current cap situation. If they bring the 29-year-old to the Motor City and extend him, then Detroit could have a legitimate core at forward for quite some time, and one that might easily become perennial Stanley Cup contenders.