As the April 12th, NHL Trade Deadline approaches, the Red Wings are gearing up to be big sellers. They currently sit nine points out of a playoff spot and 29th in the league and are certain to be dealing players in order to gain future assets. They currently have eleven soon-to-be free agents and a handful of players under contract that could also yield a decent return. Who will they trade, and what could they get for them? Let’s take a look at some potential options.
Bobby Ryan, Forward
With 6 goals and 13 points in 29 games, Ryan isn’t going to be a top player on the market but could provide decent scoring depth and power-play offense for a team looking for a middle six winger. Similar trades from last year’s deadline to look at could be Wayne Simmonds and Patrick Marleau. Simmonds was coming off a down year offensively but still had a reputation as a hard-nosed goal scorer that could score in the dirty areas; he was traded from New Jersey to Buffalo in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round pick that would turn into a fourth-round pick if Buffalo had made the playoffs. Marleau was similarly coming off a slower offensive year but still managed to get San Jose a conditional third-round pick in return that would’ve turned into a second had Pittsburgh won the Stanley Cup. Look for Ryan to also yield a conditional mid-round pick, possibly a fourth-rounder that could turn into a third.
Luke Glendening, Forward
Many Red Wings fans will probably know that Luke Glendening leads the NHL in faceoff percentage. Just how valuable is that stat? It’s hard to say; however, fans should temper their expectations. Although many will likely point to similar fourth-liner Barclay Goodrow netting a first-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning, it should be noted that Goodrow still had a year left on his deal with the San Jose Sharks at the time and was thus more valuable as a non-rental. While Glendening does provide value in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill, he’s still only likely to garner a mid-round pick. Perhaps look instead to the Nate Thompson trade last year, which resulted in Thompson heading to the Philadelphia Flyers from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Given Glendening’s ability to match up against other teams’ top lines, though, don’t be surprised if a team overpays with an earlier pick.
Marc Staal, Defense
The Red Wings acquired Marc Staal (and his contract) in September alongside a second-round pick in exchange for future considerations. Adding another draft pick for Staal would certainly be a bonus. As a “stay-at-home” defenseman, Staal won’t garner any high draft picks but could go for another mid-round pick, similar to Detroit’s other depth players. One trade to look at from last year’s deadline is Los Angeles’ Derek Forbort to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a conditional 2021 fourth-round pick that could have become a 2022 third, which could mirror a Staal trade this year. Detroit will also likely need to retain part of Staal’s $5.7 million cap hit to sweeten the deal.
Jonathan Bernier, Goaltender
Bernier has been extremely valuable for the Red Wings, going 8-6-0 with a 2.78 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. Just one problem, though: Bernier was injured on March 18th in a game against the Dallas Stars. He’s currently considered day to day, but the overall timeline for his injury is still up in the air. If Bernier is unable to get back in net come trade deadline, the Red Wings will likely be unable to move their most valuable asset. If he is ready to go, though, they could net a pretty decent return. While they probably won’t be getting a first-round pick, a second rounder or a prospect could be coming back Detroit’s way. Detroit could also sweeten the deal by taking on one of a trade partner’s expensive expiring contracts, freeing up that team’s cap space. Last season, Robin Lehner, who had a similar 3.01 goals-against average and .918 save percentage with Chicago, was traded to Vegas in exchange for backup goaltender Malcolm Subban and prospect Slava Demin. It’s important to note that the goalie market is often hard to predict, and various teams will pay different prices based on level of need; Detroit is certainly hoping a team will be in desperate need of a netminder come April 12th.
Other players to note: Darren Helm, Forward, Sam Gagner, Forward, Valtteri Filppula, Forward, Patrik Nemeth, Defense, Jon Merrill, Defense.
Helm and Gagner are both versatile depth forwards who could see mid to late-round picks in return. Gagner is perhaps the most valuable out of this group as the player with the most offensive potential. Filppula has been sent to the taxi squad and hasn’t seen game action as of late, but Detroit may be able to squeeze out a late conditional draft pick. Nemeth and Merrill are both depth defensemen who will also likely go for late-round picks.
Finally, Anthony Mantha is also a name to throw out there. The 26-year-old power forward hasn’t put up the offensive numbers the Red Wings would like him to, but he still has a lot of value as a top-six winger under contract for three more years. A comparable trade made by the Red Wings themselves could be the Tomas Tatar trade at the 2018 deadline. Detroit sent the then 28-year-old Tatar, who also had three years left on his contract, to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a first, second, and third-round pick. Would the Red Wings trade Mantha? It’s hard to say. They will probably listen to offers, and if there’s one that gives them great value, it would be hard to say no, especially with a young winger like Filip Zadina in the lineup and prospects Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren soon to make their way to the Motor City. As of now, however, when it comes to potential trades, fans will have to resort to simple speculation and sit back and wait for April 12th to roll around.
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