With the 4 Nations Face-Off break upon us, the trade deadline looms large and is less than a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Detroit Red Wings.
It’s been a tale of two seasons for Detroit. The playoff-hopeful Red Wings started the 2024-25 campaign with a 13-17-4 record, nearly falling to last place in the Eastern Conference. Since relieving former head coach Derek Lalonde of his duties and replacing him with veteran bench boss Todd McLellan, the Red Wings have vaulted themselves back into the playoff conversation. Detroit is holding down the final wild-card spot in the East heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off thanks to a 15-5-1 record under McLellan. The recent hot streak has likely changed Detroit’s trade deadline strategy.
Record
28-22-5, 5th in the Atlantic
Deadline Status
Conservative Buyer/Conservative Seller
Deadline Cap Space
$12,626,183 on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 47/50 contracts used, per PuckPedia.
Upcoming Draft Picks
2025: DET 1st, DET 2nd, NYR 3rd, DET 3rd, DET 5th, DET 6th, STL 7th, DET 7th
2026: DET 1st, DET 2nd, DET 3rd, DET 4th, DET 5th, DET 6th, DET 7th
Trade Chips
The Red Wings are in a position to buy leading up to the trade deadline now that they’re back in the playoff conversation. Still, general manager Steve Yzerman has been known to trade expiring assets even with his eyes set on the playoffs.
Detroit doesn’t have many valuable rental pieces. Patrick Kane’s no-trade clause and looming $1MM performance bonuses (should the acquiring team make the playoffs) will likely drive away most interested parties. Defenseman Jeff Petry’s recent surgery could keep him out of action until a handful of games remain in the regular season, although his $2.34MM salary is more than palatable. Lastly, netminder Alex Lyon may be the most valuable rental asset, but the goalie market and the Red Wings’ desire to win should preclude his name from any trade conversations. 
The one established player recently mentioned in trade rumors is winger Vladimir Tarasenko. In last week’s ’Saturday Headlines,’ Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman notes that Tarasenko is a player to monitor, even with his entire no-trade clause in effect this season. The former 40-goal scorer is enthralled in one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, scoring seven goals and 22 points in 53 games in the first year of a two-year, $9.5MM contract signed with Detroit last offseason. Reasonably, assuming the relationship hasn’t proven beneficial for either side, Detroit may work with Tarasenko to send him to a more favorable destination.
If the Red Wings aim to make a strong playoff push this season, they must actively engage with other teams about their prospects. Detroit has not historically been motivated to move their prospects, especially under Yzerman’s regime. Defensive prospects such as Axel Sandin-Pellikka, William Wallinder, and Shai Buium are likely out of the question, given the lack of long-term contracts on the blue line on the NHL roster. Still, the Red Wings could dangle forward prospects such as Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, or Amadeus Lombardi should the right player become available.
Team Needs
1) A Right-Handed Defenseman: Although rookie defenseman Albert Johansson has filled in nicely next to Simon Edvinsson on the second-pairing after Petry succumbed to his injury, Detroit would be better served having a more experienced talent on the right side. Moritz Seider and Sandin-Pellikka are assuredly the long-term answers on the right side of the defense, so it may be an opportune time to enter the rental market. Now that Cody Ceci has already joined the Dallas Stars for the rest of the season, Montreal Canadiens’ David Savard and Buffalo Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju may be the remaining options.
2) A Second Line Center: Despite signing Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher in back-to-back offseasons, the Red Wings have yet to figure out their long-term answer behind Dylan Larkin. Yzerman might believe Marco Kasper will fulfill that role as his game develops, but it’s challenging to rely on that now in his career. Detroit has already been linked to Buffalo’s Dylan Cozens and Vancouver Canucks’ Elias Pettersson. Still, the latter may have already been pulled from the trade block, given their recent trade activity. Casey Mittelstadt of the Colorado Avalanche and Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks have also been floated as trade candidates this year. At any rate, it might be time for the Red Wings to take a shot.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I think we are finding that Yzerman is the biggest problem in Detroit.
There have been some player pickups that are questionable (copp, compher and Gustafsson) however keep in mind that salary cap is a major hurdle and Detroit in the last couple of years was not a top choice for players to sign with the wings. Additionally, Yzerman inherited a bare bones from his predecessor. Keep the faith!!
The pipeline is full of potentially impactful NHLers and we should start seeing that pay off
over the next couple of seasons. Yes there has been a few dud signings by Yzerman but every GM has some duds. When Yzerman took over the cupboard was bare, the roster was aged and they were in cap hell. Anyone in the know knew it wasn’t going to be a quick turnaround. Looks like they’ve turned the corner now and the next few years should be good.
Nah, #19 is doing a pretty good job, the prospect pool is amazing, most likely will get in the playoffs this year. All you can ask for is improvement every year from a team. Completely tearing down a franchise to have long term success is going to take 5+ years.
The Wings need to subtract Tarasenko and add some quality. The timing is right because this upcoming Summer the most elite free agents likely will not come to Detroit. As this article points out they could use another center with some skill and a defenseman that has a physical game. Given what they are trying to develop, acquisitions should tend towards the younger side. No one over 28
Agree. We need to draft physical players. Maybe John Whipple will come thru the ranks quickly and start hitting opponents on a regular basis
I would have held onto Hronek, And Walman, Fabbri was a terrible acquisition, And Yzerman really dropped the ball on Husso.
Four Natiosn!
I do not think they should move Danielson and Mazur.n
Mazur, Bunim, Wallinder, Danielson, Lombardi — the odds that just one of them turn into a top 6 / top 4 Fwd or D-man is wildly optimistic. Maybe time to trade some lotto tickets for actual, proven NHL talent. Something Stevie has been completely unwilling to do thus far.