It seems as if today is the day for Detroit Red Wings news. Between conflicting updates on the general manager search and chaos surrounding potential candidates, the Red Wings traded for center Sutter Muzzatti from the Nashville Predators in exchange for future considerations.
UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today acquired forward Sutter Muzzatti from the Nashville Predators in exchange for future considerations.
Additionally, the Red Wings have signed Muzzatti to a two-year, entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/GAonDwOwvm
In addition, the Red Wings signed Muzzatti to a two-year entry-level contract.
Muzzatti, 23, was the 143rd selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-5 center finished last season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish of the NCAA, scoring 32 points in 37 games.
Red Wings trade contradicts previous information
This trade is especially unusual for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it goes without saying that the Red Wings are, apparently, still making moves without a general manager. Second, it contradicts previous reports that claimed interim general manager Shawn Horcoff would not be making trades.
Earlier this month, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported that Shawn Horcoff would be handling day-to-day duties, but would not be in charge of any trades. This means that either A.) Steve Yzerman made this trade, or B.) Helene's reporting isn't accurate. This is yet another example of how little information escapes the Yzerman front office.
This lack of transparency, for better or worse, can create miscommunications and conflicting reports from insiders.
Where Sutter Muzzatti fits with Red Wings
Before you plan the parade, we ought to be realistic: Muzzatti is a 23-year-old center who just finished his time with the NCAA. He's not going to jump into the NHL right away. This is, realistically speaking, an AHL deal. It gives the Grand Rapids Griffins a little extra depth at center, bolstering a lineup already filled by some great AHL talent.
What this does reveal, however, is a potential promotion for an AHLer.
Per the Griffins roster, the team currently has seven centers: Nate Danielson, Carter Bear (who doubles as a wing), Sheldon Dries, Ondrej Becher, Noah Dower-Nilsson, Theo Rochette and now Muzzatti. While a few of these centers can move to a winger position (Bear comes to mind), it's hard to imagine they'll run with all seven centers on the roster.
Thus, an odd man out becomes clear: Nate Danielson.
This is the most important season of Danielson's career so far. Adding Muzzatti to the Griffins offers Grand Rapids a replacement forward while giving Danielson an even clearer path to his NHL career. While he performed well enough last season, scoring seven points in 28 games, the Red Wings expect much more of him in the coming future.
This is just as much an audition for Muzzatti as it is Danielson.
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