4 Red Wings Trade Targets This Offseason

A very pivotal summer looms for general manager Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings. The team missed the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season while falling just short of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Detroit and the Washington Capitals both finished with 91 points, but it was the Capitals earning the final nod with the tiebreaker (36-27 in regulation wins). Detroit saw vast improvements in the offensive department this season finishing ninth overall in league scoring with 3.35 goals per game (GF/GP). The additions of Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, combined with the emergence of rising star Lucas Raymond had Hockeytown jumping out of their seats right down to the season finale. It was an exciting and encouraging year for this Original Six franchise. But how does this organization build upon these results heading into the 2024-25 season?

Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Red Wings this past season. Goaltending and the team’s defensive zone play did show signs of regression as they struggled to find any sort of consistency for extended stretches. Detroit gave up 32.4 shots per game (SA/GP) which was seventh worst in the NHL while their goal differential was only a plus-2. Ville Husso was brought in prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, but was once again inefficient for the club before succumbing to injuries that limited him to just 19 games this season. I still do not have faith in Husso as the starter moving forward as he has yet to prove himself over a full season in the NHL.

Ullmark could be an interesting bridge option for Detroit as the organization waits for Cossa and Augustine to develop. Teams not named the Panthers don’t generally like to tie up that much money in two goaltenders, so the Bruins may be forced to move on from Ullmark. He is an intriguing option if he can be had at a reasonable price. Yzerman may not have to give up key assets as Boston probably doesn’t want their goaltending tandem taking up $10 million-plus of the team’s cap space next season. I’m thinking a B-level prospect and a third-round pick may be able to get it done for Yzerman. I believe Husso with Wallinder or Buium could spark a deal between these two Original Six franchises.

Summer Intrigue

This should be a big summer for the Red Wings organization. I have to believe that coming that close to making the playoffs stoked a fire under Yzerman to get this team back to the postseason. It’s not a secret that the Hall of Famer likes to keep things close to the vest, but I can also see him making some big, under-the-radar moves once the playoffs come to an end.

Let me know what you think in the comments below and what moves you would consider. Feel free to add any trade speculations or counter-proposals to the deals I mentioned above as well.