Let’s Make a Deal: What Red Wings May Be Moved

Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan talks to his general manager every day, sometimes multiple times a day, but he’s not pounding on his desk demanding defensive help and a No. 2 center by Friday’s Trade Deadline.

“Well, we would take Gretzky and Bobby Orr, but they’re not available,” he said.

While he’s keenly aware of Friday’s deadline, and certainly has discussions with Yzerman about the team’s needs, he sees the players he has today determining Detroit’s playoff fate. He’s not expecting Yzerman to solve all of Detroit’s problems with trades before 3 p.m. Friday. The cavalry is not coming, as he would say.

“It’s like Christmas right now and everybody has a wish list,” McLellan said. “But Santa doesn’t always answer the wish list. He’d love to deliver everything. But it takes other teams, there’s cap situations, there’s a lot that goes into that.”

McLellan likes to make comparisons. He says you can look at the other “stables” and see a “Seabiscuit” out there and you would love to bring him in.

But he is spending his time thinking about the horses that got him this far.

“You ride the horses you are on and get the best race of them,” McLellan said. “And right now we have to get a better race out of some of our guys right now.”

In previous stories, Detroit Hockey Now has looked at the Red Wings’ chances of landing a center or defenseman. Today, we look at players who might be used to make a deal. Rival GMs would love to pry Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper or prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka away from Detroit. But that isn’t going to happen. Rival GMs aren’t all that interested in J.T. Compher because of his contract, and Justin Holl’s contract (another season) also gets in the way of moving him. Vladimir Tarasenko‘s second year at $5 million makes him less desirable.

But here some players, plus an asset, that could be used by Detroit to make a trade.

Detroit’s 2025 First-Round Draft Pick

Because Detroit could end up missing the playoffs, this is a desirable first round pick. We think GM Steve Yzerman would move it in a deal for a proven center. The Red Wings would likely want it top 10 protected, but even a chance it could be in the top 15 makes it more attractive.

Draft studies show that players chosen in the top 15 have a much higher probability of NHL success than players chosen in the second half of the first round.

If the Red Wings, for example, were trying to acquire center Ryan O’Reilly, their first round pick could be the difference that gets it done.

Center Nate Danielson (Ninth, 2023)

The Red Wings are not looking to move him, but would probably be willing to part with him in a deal for a No. 2 center. When a trade return includes a player chosen ninth in the NHL draft, it’s easier to sell to a team’s fan base.

Forward Joe Veleno

In Detroit, Veleno, 24, is a first round pick who hasn’t been able to score. But he is a bit more intriguing as a trade chip. He skate, check and has the versatility and skill to play “up” when a team has injuries.

Because he scored 12 goals last season, it’s not hard for a potential suitor to convince himself that they may be able to squeeze 15 out of him. He also contributes 100-plus hits every season. Tuesday night, he showed six hits against the Hurricanes.

It’s plausible to sell Veleno as a valuable role player with some up-side.

Prospect defenseman William Wallinder and Antti Tuomisto

Both prospects are in their second seasons in Grand Rapids. If you believe Sandin Pellikka will be in Detroit soon,  you start to wonder whether there is room for two more young defensemen.

Moritz Seider is still 23. Albert Johansson is 24. Simon Edvinsson is 22.  Sandin Pellikka turns 20 in less than a week.  Tuomisto, 24, and Wallinder, 22, are close to being ready.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see one of them included in a trade this week for a defenseman. The Red Wings also have Shai Buium playing well in Grand Rapids.

Center Michael Rasmussen

What the Red Wings appreciate about Rasmussen is that he always does what is asked of him. He’s not the scorer they hoped they had when they drafted him in the first round in 2018.

But he’s 6-foot-6 center/wing who has learned to use his size and reach to become a valuable role player. The idea of playing Rasmussen with 6-foot-8 Elmer Soderblom is very appealing.

It seems like Yzerman appreciates Rasmussen’s contributions and doesn’t want to move him. But we’d guess he would give him up to land a center who could play in Detroit’s top six. This all assumes he is ready to return to Detroit’s lineup.

Forward Vladimir Tarasenko

The Tarasenko acquisition hasn’t worked well in Detroit. He just hasn’t been able to finished. If the Red Wings can move him, they probably will, although it would have to be in conjunction with adding more scoring help in another trade or two.