The Hockey News’s Adam Proteau discusses potential targets for the Red Wings to consider adding as March 7th trade deadline sits only a week and a half away:
Despite Copp’s injury, Detroit’s need right now should be a minute-munching blueliner to ease the responsibilities for Moritz Seider. Getting someone, such as Chicago’s Seth Jones and his $9.5-million cap hit, would make a lot of sense for the Wings if they can fit him in for the long term.
The Red Wings are tied for the 10th-most goals against per game, with 3.14. That’s the worst goals-against average for any team in a playoff spot right now. And although the Red Wings have the third-most points since Jan. 1, their 2.95 goals against per game is only 18th in the league.
Not many NHL teams could afford to absorb Jones’ full salary without Chicago having to retain salary, either.
It was rumored last year and over the summer that Yzerman had interest in acquiring Jacob Trouba from the New York Rangers. This happened, of course, before the Rangers dealt Trouba to Anaheim. But moving on a Jones trade is exactly the type of big swing Yzerman has been looking to make for some time. If he can find an asset match for the Blackhawks, making a Jones trade happen might not be as tough a task as it seems to be on the surface.
Detroit also could be interested in one or two experienced forwards with that cap space after losing Copp, who has 10 goals and 23 points in 56 games. A new second-line center to play between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane could work, as J.T. Compher only has three points in 15 games since Jan. 1 and 22 points in 51 games overall.
In any case, the Wings do look primed to be a buyer at the deadline. Yzerman is under massive pressure to get his team into the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. Changing coaches to Todd McLellan has been a big success so far, and Yzerman should capitalize on that momentum.
Continued; everybody and their brother’s trying to trade Seth Jones, and I really don’t see a fit. Yes, he’s a right-shooting defenseman who can shut down opponents, but at that Gord-awful $9.5 million cap hit, no team should have to take on that entire millstone without some relief taken on from the Blackhawks.
To me, this feels like a case of making a square peg fit in a round hole.
