Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen notes that, should the Red Wings strike out on a free agent scoring forward and/or top-four defenseman during free agency, the team will likely explore the post-UFA trade market.
However, GM Steve Yzerman has stated that he’s not going to move top prospects for nothing–nor move roster players that create gaps in the team’s depth chart:
“They’re just aren’t a lot of options right [now],” Yzerman said. “I guess I would say when I’m talking to teams right now, everybody wants players like we want players. What do we have to offer?”
Potential trading partner aren’t looking for players with term and salaries that don’t fit well with their production. In other words, team aren’t looking to add J.T. Compher who has three seasons remaining on his deal.
They are looking for low-salaried players with big up-side, like Marco Kasper or Simon Edvinsson. It makes no sense for Detroit to trade those players. The Red Wings obviously prefer to move prospects who aren’t yet in the NHL or future draft picks. On Saturday, the traded a second-round and fourth-round pick and Petr Mrazek for goalie John Gibson.
“There’s a couple of interesting options (in the trade market), but I think now everybody’s going to focus on free agency for a few days and see where that shakes out,” Yzerman said.
He was asked whether he would trade a top player ?
“Maybe,” Yzerman said. “But it doesn’t necessarily make sense to trade at any position that creates a hole at that position. “
