What Do Red Wings Need to Compete with Florida Panthers?

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Red Wings and other playoff hopefuls must keep up with the Florida Panthers, not the Joneses.

The Panthers, already owning the NHL’s best record, added another offensive weapon Tuesday when they gave up a fourth round pick in 2024 and a third round pick to land Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators.

Tarasenko has put up 17 goals and 41 points this season. But he has scored 33 or more goals six times in his career.

Florida already ranks eighth in the NHL in scoring (3.32 goals per game average).  Now, they are adding an impact player who will improve their top nine forward group.

If the Red Wings earn one of the wild card spots, they could end up meeting the Panthers in the opening round of the playoffs. Florida downed the Red Wings 4-0 last week in a meeting at Little Caesars Arena.

George Richards, a veteran Florida Hockey Now writer, says the Panthers may make other additions.

Dumba Has Suitors

“Although the Panthers defense has been one of their strong suits,” Richards wrote,  “expect Florida to be on the market for another defenseman.”

Richards believes the Panthers may not have the necessary assets to acquire Noah Hanifin or Jakob Chychrun. But they could make a strong enough offer to acquire Arizona’s Matt Dumba.

GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t tip his hand at the trade deadline. But rival teams believe Yzerman will add a defenseman if he can trade Justin Holl who has been the team’s No. 7 defenseman of late. It’s suspected Yzerman inquired about Hanifin, Chychrun and Dumba.

If he isn’t involved in those deals, it is presumed Yzerman’s first choice would be to add a defense-first blueliner who offers a layer of belligerence. He wants someone who is hard to play against.

The Red Wings are listed as a potential suitor for Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel. However, it seems as if the Vancouver Canucks are the favorite. St. Louis forward Pavel Buchnevich and Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano might also be on Detroit’s radar.

Some teams are said to be interested in Jonatan Berggren, but it’s not known whether the Red Wings are willing to move him. He has played impressively well in Grand Rapids.

It’s possible Yzerman may not do much of anything. The team seems to have solid chemistry, four-line scoring, dependable goaltending and a team-wide buy-in on how they need to play to be successful.

Early Shoppers

Coach Derek Lalonde said recently the bold move may be for the Red Wings to stand pat. But Yzerman’s history says he prefers to be aggressive. He has said multiple times he’s interested in any move that makes his team better.

Other Eastern teams made moves on a very active Wednesday.  The Buffalo Sabres added more talent to their defense by acquiring Bowen Byram. Buffalo already boasts Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. They gave up skillful forward Casey Mittelstadt (47 points in 62 games).

The Philadelphia Flyers, holding an Eastern playoff spot with a third place position in the Metropolitan, received the Colorado Avalanche first round pick for defenseman Sean Walker. The Flyers also took center Ryan Johansen’s contract from Colorado. Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere placed Johansen  on waivers after the deal was announced.