Sportsnet’s Rory Boylen posted an article discussing every team’s trade deadline plans, and here’s what he sees the Red Wings doing (or not doing) by tomorrow at 3 PM EST:
Detroit Red Wings
Status: Fringe buyer with plenty of cap space but unclear aggressiveness
Deadline Day Cap Space: $13.024 million
Team Needs: Defencemen, centre, depth toughness
Potentially Available: Vladimir Tarasenko, Marco Kasper
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think (GM Steve Yzerman) has been looking for a defenceman. I think he was looking at (Ryan) Lindgren, and I think he also had some interest in other guys who’ve been out there, like Will Borgen kind of guys. So I think it’s safe to say that’s been on his mind. He definitely looked at Cozens earlier this year, that didn’t happen.”
“They lost (Andrew) Copp, he’s out for the year. They lost (Michael) Rasmussen in that game where (Trevor) Zegras got suspended, he’s a big loss for them, so I think people are wondering, does Yzerman go out and get someone who can fill those kinds of roles?”
Outlook: Detroit took a bigger step than most of the East’s rebuilders last season, missing the playoffs only by the regulation-wins tiebreaker. The Wings are back in the thick of it this season though, in a much more crowded field.
Not much leaks out of Yzerman’s front office, which is why past big trades involving Filip Hronek and Anthony Mantha were so shocking. That kind of surprise is always on the table and the Wings have been attached to Cozens rumours earlier this season, which tells you they’re sniffing around on big moves. The recent injury losses, especially to Copp, are big setbacks. Will that spur the front office into action, or have it thinking about being more reserved?
Continued; again, I’m not certain that the Red Wings will do anything, but one never knows with the Wings’ managerial brain trust.
