Not even the Olympic roster freeze can slow down the trade rumor mill across the NHL. As the March 6 trade deadline approaches, the Detroit Red Wings remain one of the most likely teams to make a move.
The Wings may have lost out on Quinn Hughes and Artemi Panarin, but they are still linked to others like Vincent Trocheck, Jason Robertson, and Robert Thomas.Â
While all three would be instant upgrades in Detroit, Robertson and Trocheck come with complications. Robertson, who is tied for third in the league with 32 goals, will demand a hefty price and is due an extension likely in the range of $12 million. Trocheck, on the other hand, is 32 years old and does not line-up with Detroit’s long-term outlook.
Thomas, however, does not really have any red flags and seems almost too good to be true.
Robert Thomas and the Red Wings makes sense on all fronts
Beginning with his age and contract, Thomas is 26 years old and is signed through 2031 at an $8.125 million AAV.Â
His age aligns with those of Moritz Seider (24), Lucas Raymond (23), Alex DeBrincat (28), and even Dylan Larkin (29). Thomas’ contract would be the third-highest on the team behind Larkin and Seider, but is relatively affordable considering his age, his skill, the growing salary cap, and the 5.5 years of term left on it.
On the ice, Thomas is an elite two-way first-line center. He can play on the power play or the penalty kill. He has scored 20 or more goals and 75 or more points in three of the past four seasons, and is on pace to be near those marks again this year (11 goals and 33 points in 42 games).Â
Thomas would bring a playoff pedigree to the Wings, winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 as a rookie. He also had eight points during the Blues’ first round loss to the Winnipeg Jets last season.
A two-way elite-level center with upside and term. Playoff pedigree. These are all things the Wings have been looking for and Thomas checks every box. He would slot in nicely on the second line between DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, moving the resurgent Andrew Copp down to improve the third line.
The Wings have a lot to offer Thomas as well. The Blues have been very inconsistent the last few seasons and are currently one of the worst teams in the NHL. Detroit’s stars would allow Thomas to flourish and reach his true potential.
What is the Blues' asking price for a Robert Thomas trade?
In addition to his age, contract, and skill, a potential Thomas trade package also seems to be exactly what the Red Wings are looking for.
Recent rumors suggest that St. Louis is looking for three top-15 first round picks, or the equivalent to that in prospects and young players, for Thomas.
The Blues’ ask and Thomas’ contract may be a lot for other teams, but not the Wings. Their $13 million in cap space is more than enough to take on Thomas. They also have the fifth best farm system in the NHL, meaning they could trade prospects without completely mortgaging their future.
A potential move could be the Red Wings offering two players like Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Carter Bear, Carter Mazur, Eddie Genborg, Trey Augustine, Max Plante, or Marco Kasper. They would also need to throw in their first round pick for this year’s draft.
Although it would sting to part with any of those players, the Red Wings, in theory, only have to give up two. This means they can keep their elite farm system mostly intact while still bringing in a player of Thomas’ caliber to help the team win now.
Detroit and St. Louis have also made several trades together in recent years, which makes a Thomas blockbuster a little easier. These moves included the Ville Husso, Jake Walman, Jakub Vrana, and Robby Fabbri deals.
In every aspect, for the team and the player, Thomas to the Red Wings is a deal made in hockey heaven. Hockeytown has been waiting for general manager Steve Yzerman to make the perfect trade deadline acquisition, and this may just be it.