Today we’re talking trades: CBS Detroit’s Will Burtchfield caught wind of Bob McKenzie’s remarks regarding a Mrazek-or-Howard trade…
And The Athletic’s Craig Custance suggests that a “pure hockey trade”–the kind that was suggested by Elliotte Friedman in his 31 Thoughts column, as in Justin Faulk for Andreas Athanasiou–would be useful for the Red Wings to consider:
Now, Elliotte is careful to frame it in a way that doesn’t suggest it’s been discussed, but it’s exactly the kind of deal in structure that makes sense for the Red Wings.
“I think both of those players are available for a hockey deal,” said one NHL source outside of Detroit and Carolina. “You could definitely see Carolina doing something.”
Another source pointed out that another contract negotiation with Athanasiou this offseason in a time when the Red Wings also have to get deals done with Dylan Larkin and Mantha might make a deal more of a possibility, even if Athanasiou has played his way back into management’s good graces.
“The whole team, there’s question marks,” said the NHL source of the Red Wings. “Kenny has to make room financially. He still has to sign Athanasiou. It starts all over again (this offseason).”
Custance continues (paywall), and while we’re talking in theoretical terms…
It may not come in this exact form, but these are the kind of trades the Red Wings have to aggressively pursue. Even if it’s been awhile.
I’m just not sure. I see the Wings trading Mike Green for sure, and as McKenzie suggested, Detroit won’t enter the 2018-19 season with both Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard on the roster, but after that?
The notoriously loyal KH appears to still have ownership’s mandate to manage the team as he chooses, and this team has been hesitant to make substantial changes on the roster for a long, long time.
I don’t know if that changes just because it sounds like a good idea.
