The Fourth Period has weighed in regarding the current Red Wings-related trade rumors:
Though soon-to-be unrestricted free agent defenceman Mike Green has garnered the most attention, teams are currently balking at the asking price. While trade talks involving Green will pick up steam later this week, Holland’s focus may presently be on some of his other players.
I’m guessing that the Wings are asking for a 1st round pick and top prospect for Green, and the Wings have to ask for that kind of return, but I expect Detroit to ultimately end up with a pair of 2nd-round picks for Green.
As for Luke Glendening, Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist…
The Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning are among the teams believed to be interested in Glendening, while the Nashville Predators have spoken with the Wings about Tatar, and the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks have expressed interest in Nyquist.
Glendening and Tatar each have three-years left on their respective contracts after this season, while Nyquist has one-year remaining.
Nyquist also owns a full no-trade clause and would have to sign off on any trade the Red Wings attempt to complete.
I hate to say this, because I like Tatar and Nyquist, but they are very similar players, and the Wings are spending over $10 million for two similar players. I expect one of the two–if not both–to be gone by Monday.
I so hope you are correct, George. Holland has youth to play the rest of the season and if he (or the next GM) isn’t happy after evaluating the youth there will be free agents available in the summer to take pressure off the youth and take on certain roles Nyquist and Tatar currently hold.
Holland said he wants to do things steadily through the draft and Tatar and Nyquist (who would have guessed there would be that much interest in either player) will get Holland pics and possibly an upgrade in prospects ready to play in a year or two with the big club.
But as usual I have no hope because Holland has to be willing to give up on this season to make the deals. Thing is the Wings could get better without those two players in particular and go on a run with the youth (but not enough to make the playoffs, I just don’t think this team has it in it).
I have a feeling that Tatar and Nyquist’s statuses as having been brought in via draft = hard decisions for the loyal GM, but moving one or both of Nyquist or Tatar may benefit the Wings in the long run, as you say, and you want to see this team get better…but no, not make the playoffs, not this year 😉