Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco suggests that the Red Wings should “become buyers” as far as trade acquisitions are concerned:
Detroit’s offense has improved quite a bit under McLellan, so I look at the defense as a point of concern. Especially in light of the Jeff Petry injury, the Red Wings could use some help on the back end; an addition back there may help contribute to the offense, as well. Aside from Simon Edvinsson (20) and Moritz Seider (32), no Detroit defenseman has reached the 20 point plateau this season.
As Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin wrote about a few weeks back, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen could make sense for the Red Wings. The 30 year old does have two years remaining on his contract at an AAV of $5.1 million, so the Red Wings would have to be prepared to absorb a non-rental; I also have no indication that the Flyers would entertain retaining salary on Ristolainen, either. Ristolainen isn’t exactly an offensive dynamo – though he has gotten power play time as of late – so I’m not sure if he is exactly what the Red Wings need, but his uptick in defensive play would help them on that end of the ice. His recent injury will also surely play a factor.
Up front, the proof is in the pudding: the Red Wings need an offensive jolt. Beyond Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, Patrick Kane and Lucas Raymond, there are no Detroit forwards who are on pace to crack 40 points. In a league that is as offensive as ever, that is something that absolutely needs to be addressed if Yzerman hopes his group can be competitive in the playoff race until the end of the regular season. The power play has drastically improved since McLellan arrived, but the 5-on-5 scoring needs work.
I do think an addition down the middle of the ice would be optimal for the Red Wings. Larkin aside, there is not a lot of offense coming from that area of the ice. Problem is, most of the league is looking for a center help, and most of the pickings are slim.
Does Brock Nelson make sense? Perhaps, but as a rental and the top trade target on Frank Seravalli’s board, I don’t think he fits the portfolio for what the Red Wings are looking for. Buffalo Sabres pivot Dylan Cozens would make a lot of sense with significant term left on his deal, but it still sounds like GM Kevyn Adams is reluctant to move on from the workhorse from Whitehorse.
The next few weeks will determine if the Red Wings can keep pace in the ever crowded Eastern Conference playoff race, but Yzerman would be best served looking to bring in reinforcements should he actually have playoff aspirations for his group.
Continued; meh. The Red Wings aren’t going to spend assets for rental players, and teams like the Flyers and Islanders are still within Wild Card rival territory, so I don’t see them doing business with the Red Wings unless Detroit is willing to add a premium prospect to the mix.
I hope that Yzerman is conservative as we head toward March 7th.
