With the super-thin free agency market, rumored available big names, and the completely false prediction of this being the "Summer of the Offer Sheet," it's no surprise that the trade market has been the talk of every NHL fan, insider, beat writer, blogger, and analyst.
But not every trade is worth looking into deeply. However, there are plenty of names in the league that, if traded, would make the entire hockey world talk, and some fanbases potentially burn with emotions.
So, I decided to take a look at what it would take for the Red Wings to acquire some of the league's biggest superstars.
For this series, I am gonna run on the notion that we live in an NHL where nobody has a "No-Trade Clause" or a "No Movement Clause". Meaning everything and everyone is on the table in these fantasy trade scenarios.
The top player will require the top prices
Who better to start this with than the best player in the world, Connor McDavid? The man who has been given the nickname "McJesus" and with good reason. McDavid has done nothing but "wow" the hockey world since being drafted first overall in 2015.
Scoring over 1000 points in 712 NHL games, including the first 100-assist NHL season since Wayne Gretzky hit 122 assists in the 1990-91 season, McDavid has cemented himself as one of, if not the best, player in the world. With no shortage of highlights to prove it.
So what would it take for the Red Wings to acquire McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers? Well, the starting point at minimum is the next three first-round draft picks. It's unlikely that the Oilers would want much, if anything, back in the way of prospects. Unless one of them is a goalie.
Lately, there have been rumors of Edmonton potentially targeting Red Wings goaltending prospects Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine. Sebastian Cossa is closer to being NHL-ready and is already familiar with Edmonton, as he was drafted from the Edmonton Oil Kings.
On the other hand, Augustine has decided to go back to the NCAA and play with Michigan State for his junior year. However, many consider Augustine to have a higher ceiling and is also more technically sound than Cossa.
In my opinion, the Red Wings would be better off looking to use Augustine in the deal. With the team in desperate need of their future starting goaltender, Cossa being closer puts him higher on the no-trade list in this deal.
Now we get into roster players. To be honest, this is where it gets a bit tricky since the Red Wings don't have very many roster players who have a lot of trade value, and even fewer have enough trade value to be included in this trade, meaning the Red Wings will have to part with multiple members of their core.
Those two players are Marco Kasper and Lucas Raymond. If the Oilers move off of McDavid, that means they would need a new center. Fortunately for the Red Wings, the Oilers already have a 1C caliber player in Leon Draisaitl, meaning they'd only have a need for a new 2C, meaning Larkin doesn't need to be on the table for this deal, which is where Kasper comes in with this deal.
Kasper may be young and only have one season under his belt, but he made a fantastic impression and showed that he could become a genuine second-line center. His age gives him plenty of longevity, and his playing style is something that the Oilers are in need of now that the likes of Corey Perry, Evander Kane, and Connor Brown have moved on from the team.
Kasper may have a good amount of trade value, but the real diamond of this entire deal for the Oilers is Lucas Raymond. Out of every current Red Wing, Raymond arguably has the highest trade value of them all, and for good reason.
In the last three seasons, Raymond has stepped up and taken the reins as a premier winger in the NHL and a legit star. While he's never played in the NHL playoffs, during the 4 Nations and the numerous world championship tournaments he's played in, he's shown up in a big way every time. Not to mention, he was one of the first six players announced to Team Sweden's Olympic roster, showing that on the international stage, he's seen as a legitimate star.
Raymond Hype video. #LGRW https://t.co/MxJDZopCJv pic.twitter.com/sX5LPHdCJP
— The Mexinadian (Petry Truther) (@The_Mexinadian) June 9, 2024
In the end, believe that in order for the Red Wings to acquire McDavid right now. It would take:
- Three 1st round picks
- Trey Augustine
- Marco Kasper
- Lucas Raymond
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