Bleacher Report posted two NHL articles this morning, with Lyle Richardson discussing “1 player for every NHL team to get excited about” ahead of the 2026-2027 season, and Yerdon discussing “pending unrestricted free agents [2027] who could be traded” this season if their contract extension talks go south.
Detroit Red Wings: Moritz Seider
The Detroit Red Wings have endured inconsistency over the past three seasons, which stretched their playoff drought to 10 years. While that’s resulted in front-office turmoil and uncertainty about the future of former captain Dylan Larkin, a bright spot remains star defenseman Moritz Seider.
Since being chosen sixth overall by the Red Wings in the 2019 NHL Draft, Seider has steadily developed into an elite all-around defenseman. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22 and has become the anchor of the Red Wings’ blue line.
Seider, 25, is a workhorse who logs big minutes in all situations. He had a league-leading 2104:39 of total time on ice per game last season and a career-high 60 points. The young German is entering his prime and remains crucial to the Wings’ hopes of ending their long postseason drought.
And you’ll be familiar with the Red Wings’ trade candidate in Yerdon’s column as well:
Alex DeBrincat, Detroit Red Wings
Unlike his teammate Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat is a Michigan native who would like to stick around with the Red Wings. Unfortunately for him, whatever happens with Larkin may dictate how the Wings’ season goes and if it turns really bad, Detroit might be better suited to trade DeBrincat to cash in on a potentially juicy return.
DeBrincat was the Red Wings leading scorer last season with 41 goals and 44 assists (85 points). He’s been an electrifying goal scorer throughout his career in Chicago and Ottawa previously and he’s due for a big payday after this season is up as a free agent, whether he gets there or not.
No doubt that discussing an extension is on Detroit’s to-do list, but they’ve been a bit, uh, messy this offseason dealing with Larkin, a search for a new GM, and trying to re-sign RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson. One thing at a time, apparently. If time gets away from them, trading DeBrincat is a real possibility. And you thought Detroit’s year couldn’t get worse!
I don’t believe that the Wings will trade DeBrincat. He’s been very vocal about wanting to remain a Red Wing. Regardless of whether the team battles through another difficult season, I just cannot imagine Detroit bailing on DeBrincat’s scoring potential.
