What We’re Hearing: Red Wings Comparison Shopping in Trade Market

While no one is ever sure what Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is up to in the NHL trade market, we are hearing that he is exploring what it will take to land one of the more desirable defensemen and/or forwards.

Here are trade targets the Red Wings are linked to:

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley

Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that he heard from multiple sources that the Red Wings and Jets are talking about a deal, and he surmises that the focus is on 6-foot-7 Stanley.

What we hear: The Red Wings are intrigued with the idea of adding another big defenseman, believing it will make the team harder to play against.

Pros: Stanley has started to use his booming shot this season and boasts nine goals. He has never had more than one goal per season before this season. He kills penalties and likely will end up with 100 blocked shots and 100 hits this season.

Cons: We hear the Jets are trying to land a first-round pick for him, even though it seems likely they will only end up with a second. This is not a 20-minute defenseman like the Red Wings need for their second pairing. Stanley is averaging 16:33 minutes per game.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk

The 33-year-old veteran seems like the perfect right-shot defenseman to play with Ben Chiarot in the second pairing.

What we hear: Yzerman and St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong have a history of making deals together, and they undoubtedly had discussions.

Pros: Faulk is a two-way defenseman. He has 11 goals this season and has averaged 113 blocked shots per season over the past four seasons. He averages 22:31 minutes per game. Savvy, competitive player. He has one season left on a contract with a $6.5 million cap hit.

Cons: The cost will be high. Armstrong wants a first-round pick, a second, a roster player, and a prospect.  The Blues will want the second to be a first if the Red Wings make a two-round playoff run.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar

Darren Dreger said on social media that he is hearing the Red Wings and Calgary Flames are discussing a major deal that would address the Red Wings’ most glaring needs.

What we hear: We have not heard any other reports about the Red Wings talking to the Flames. It would make some sense, depending on the cost.

Pros: It would address two needs: a center and a top-four defenseman. Weegar can block 175 shots and record 200 hits in a season. He’s playing about 22 minutes per game.

Cons: Kadri is 35 and has three seasons left on a deal paying him $7 million per season. He only has 10 goals this season. Weegar has five seasons left at $6.25 million per season. At 32, he is having a sub-par season. It feels like Kadri will end up in Montreal, and teams are wary of the combination of Weegar’s age and term left on his contract.

New York Rangers Artemi Panarin

Several reports have the Red Wings as one of the teams still in the mix to acquire the Russian offensive dynamo.

What we hear: Panarin would be willing to come to Detroit. He is willing to re-sign with his new team immediately. The Los Angeles Kings may be the favorite.

Pros: Even at 34, Panarin is a point-per-game performer. He has averaged roughly 100 points per season over the past four seasons. Panarin would add another elite scorer to Detroit’s top six, probably playing on a line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. Don’t see coach Todd McLellan breaking up Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane.

Cons:  Detroit’s biggest forward need is a No. 2 center, not a wing. Reports say Panarin, 34, is looking for $50 million regardless of the number of years. Yzerman would not want to give him more than four years. He’s not going to give him an average annual salary of $12.5 million at age 34. Hockey insider Pierre LeBrun said Panarin’s first choice is to go to Florida. But they don’t have the cap space to make it work. The Rangers are looking for first-and second-round picks, a roster player, and a prospect.