From a roster construction standpoint, parting ways with J.T. Compher’s contract should be a top priority for the Detroit Red Wings. However, not every trade proposal circulating the rumor mill is worth consideration.
The most recent speculation involves Detroit acquiring forward Casey Mittelstadt from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman William Lagesson and a 2026 third-round draft pick—a transaction that, on its face, raises more questions than it answers.
Why more questions than answers?
Let’s pause for a moment and examine the logic. Some critics suggest that this proposed trade may be an indication the Red Wings are preparing to move on from Compher. But one has to ask: on what basis? Is arithmetic no longer part of the conversation?
Compher carries a $5.10 million cap hit. Are we really to believe Detroit is so eager to unload that contract that it would willingly inherit a larger one for a player coming off a notably underwhelming stretch? The math doesn’t support the theory. Nor does the performance.
Mittelstadt is entering the second season of a three-year, $17.25 million contract originally signed with the Colorado Avalanche just 13 months ago. That tenure was short-lived: he was traded a mere eight months later to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Charlie Coyle.
Since arriving in Boston, the 26-year-old—once the 8th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft—has failed to find his footing, registering just six points (four goals, two assists) in 18 appearances.
One sequence on April 3 against the Canadiens encapsulated his struggles. In a 4–1 loss, Mittelstadt attempted an ill-advised pass through traffic in his own zone.
The puck deflected directly into the slot, where Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher pounced with a clean wrist shot past the goaltender. Moments later, Mittelstadt could be seen slumped on the bench, head down—a visual emblem of his Bruins tenure to date.
Since recording a career-high 59 points with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022–23 campaign, Casey Mittelstadt’s offensive output has steadily declined. His 18-game stint with the Bruins, in particular, was forgettable at best.
For the Red Wings to surrender a draft pick in exchange for an overcompensated and undisciplined player would be nothing short of organizational negligence.
If this is genuinely the direction being considered behind closed doors, the best move would simply be to retain Compher. He is, after all, a proven winner with a Stanley Cup on his résumé.
Rather than exchanging a known quantity for a depreciating asset, the Red Wings would be wiser to explore what more Compher can contribute. One thing is certain: replacing him with Mittelstadt does not constitute an upgrade.
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