With the 2026 Winter Olympics now over, the focus turns to the Detroit Red Wings’ playoff chase. That, and the knowledge that only four games separate the team from this year’s trade deadline.
March 6 will be a pivotal day for the Red Wings – they stand to be buyers for the first time under Steve Yzerman’s leadership. With that in mind, here’s what I am hearing about how the Red Wings plan to approach this year‘s trade deadline:
- They are aggressively pursuing meaningful acquisitions – chasing Quinn Hughes was evidence of this
- Players with term are preferred
- They will not overpay just to get something done
The approach is sound in theory – but strategy and execution are different things. That said, if the Red Wings do make some moves (and improve internally), they’ll be well positioned to achieve these four critical objectives and end their playoff drought:
- Improve their goal-scoring, both at five on five and on the power play, through internal and external sources
- Add defensive depth in order to slot their blueliners more appropriately
- Get greater contributions from the bottom six
- Manage Gibson and Talbot’s workloads to keep both fresh
Given Detroit’s strategy and what they need to accomplish, we can identify their trade deadline needs and targets who fit the criteria. Let’s dive in.
Red Wings Need No. 1: Top-Six Forward
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that scoring is Detroit’s top priority. As I’ve said before, they’ve struggled to generate high-danger chances. And, as a result, their scoring has suffered – Detroit’s 2.11 goals per 60 at five on five ranks 27th in the NHL.
Adding a top-six forward is an obvious way to address this concern. Both center and wing options should be considered – there’s enough lineup flexibility to integrate either effectively.
If the Red Wings acquire a winger, they could then trot out that player on Dylan Larkin’s flank opposite Lucas Raymond. Downstream, a revitalized Marco Kasper could center Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, or add more offense to the bottom six. The same goes for Andrew Copp if he’s pushed down in the lineup. He could also center a shutdown line if the Red Wings want to go that route.
Adding a center would have similar implications. The new player would slot in between Kane and DeBrincat, and Copp could either spend time on Larkin’s wing or drop down to the bottom six.
Either way, the Red Wings improve 1) their scoring touch, 2) the top six’s overall talent, and 3) the depth of the bottom six.
Potential targets include: Robert Thomas, Elias Pettersson, Ryan O’Reilly, Jordan Kyrou, Steven Stamkos, Mika Zibanejad, and Yegor Sharangovich. Detroit could also consider more cost-effective options like Michael Bunting and Evander Kane for top-nine roles if they can’t get a deal done for any of their top targets.
Red Wings Need No. 2: Top-Four Defenseman
Detroit’s team defense has been fine this year. Not great. Not awful. Just fine.
Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson have been outstanding, though, and figure to take on most of the tough matchups down the stretch. But beyond them, there’s room for improvement.
Don’t get me wrong – Albert Johansson and Jacob Bernard-Docker have stepped up in the new year. But are they bonafide second-pair blueliners? Or is Axel Sandin-Pellikka? The answer to those questions is a resounding no.
The Red Wings need someone to partner with (and potentially carry) Ben Chiarot on the second pair. Chiarot can play either side, so the acquisition doesn’t have to line up on the right, though it would probably be best to keep the veteran on his strong side.
Acquiring a quality No. 3 defenseman would allow the Red Wings to slot their blueliners more appropriately. Chiarot wouldn’t have to be “the guy” on the second pair. Sandin-Pellikka could play more of a sheltered role on the bottom pair as he continues to adapt to the NHL. And Bernard-Docker would become the next man up, rather than Travis Hamonic.
Related: Red Wings Olympic Break Audit: Evaluating What It Will Take to Make the Playoffs
Potential targets include: Brandon Carlo, Nick Perbix, Dougie Hamilton, Rasmus Ristolainen, Justin Faulk, MacKenzie Weegar, and Braden Schneider. Bargain bin options like Luke Schenn and Jamie Oleksiak would upgrade the third pair and could play second-pair minutes late in games if called upon.
Final Word
Detroit has previously shown interest in Pettersson, Stamkos, Kane, Carlo, Perbix, and Hamilton, so it’s possible they revisit those options. A dream scenario would be the Red Wings acquiring Thomas and Carlo, which would come at a high cost, of course. That said, a trade with the Nashville Predators to bring in O’Reilly and Perbix would provide the organization with a ton of value, too.
Regardless, the trade deadline represents the last opportunity for the Red Wings to bolster their roster before the stretch run and playoffs. They’ve earned the reinforcements. And from what I’m hearing, Yzerman wants to reward his team.
Data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
