The Detroit Red Wings got off to a fabulous start this season. However, the sheen has started to wear off, and some considerable flaws have become evident. In particular, the team’s need for more scoring has become apparent.
Beyond reliable producers like Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, and Alex DeBrincat, the Red Wings could use some more punch. They’re pedestrian 5-5-0 mark over their last 10 games has been a signal of that.
On the other side of the spectrum, the St. Louis Blues season has been circling the drain. The team is mired in last place in the Central Division and could be on the verge of blowing things up. Blues GM Doug Armstrong has said the team is “open for business” and could be willing to make a major shakeup.
With that in mind, the Red Wings and Blues could make for interesting trade partners. In particular, one player that comes to mind is Jordan Kyrou. Kyrou was benched a few games ago as the club tried to send a message. It sort of worked, but hasn’t really translated into a sustained winning streak.
So, Kyrou could be among the first pieces to go. If that’s the case, the Red Wings could land a much-needed top-six scorer.
Here’s how this trade could work out:
Red Wings Get | Blues Get |
|---|---|
Jordan Kyrou, F | William Wallinder, D |
2026 fifth-round draft pick | Erik Gustafsson, D |
2026 second-round pick |
The real gem for the Blues is defensive prospect William Wallinder. St. Louis has been trying to get younger on the blue line this season. However, the botched trade with Montreal for Logan Mailloux has left the club looking for a stopgap solution on the back end.
As such, Erik Gustafsson could fill a need for the Blues this season. While he would be a bit of a cap dump, bringing Gustafsson in would make some sense for the Blues.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings would pay a second-round pick for Kyrou, seeing as the Wings could take on Kyrou’s full $8.125 million cap hit. The price, naturally, would go up if there were some retention involved. However, the Blues would be crazy to retain salary on Kyrou as he has five years left on his current deal.
It’s also worth pointing out that the Red Wings have a little over $14 million in cap space right now. So, fitting in Kyrou would be possible. Plus, various expiring contracts would give Steve Yzerman plenty of breathing room moving forward.
If such a deal could happen, the Red Wings would be wise not to surrender a first-round pick or a top prospect. The Blues might ask for someone like Axel Sandin-Pellikka or Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. While the Blues may ask, the Red Wings would be foolish to let a prospect like that go.
Unless the Red Wings were getting someone like Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon, moving a top prospect at this time would be foolhardy. That’s why Jordan Kyrou, for the right price, could be a fantastic pickup for the Red Wings.