Grand Rapids Griffins
What Are Red Wings Willing to Give Up for Veteran Center?
The truth about the NHL Trade Deadline is that everyone wants their teams to trade for quality players and no one wants to give up anything to get those players
With continuing rumors about the Red Wings’ interest in Elias Pettersson, it’s time to ask which Detroit youngster, or youngsters, are you willing to lose to secure the Vancouver Canucks center or another coveted center such as Vince Trocheck (New York Rangers) or Robert Thomas (St. Louis Blues).
Based on multiple reports, the Canucks are looking for a return that includes a young center, a first-round pick and another prospect or asset of significance.
Tell me I'm wrong – if (and we all know its a BIG IF) #Canucks can unload Elias Pettersson without retaining a single cent on what remains of his 8yr $92.8 million dollar contract – it'll go down as one of the best trades in team history. Remarkable how far he's fallen.
— JAY JANOWER (@JayJanower) March 1, 2026
Canucks Want Center Back
That probably means Marco Kasper (Eighth, 2022), or Nate Danielson (ninth, 2023) and maybe someone defenseman like Shai Buium, brother of current Vancouver defenseman Zeev Buium., would go to Vancouver, Or maybe, they would want feisty Eddie Genborg (44th, 2025) whose physical presence has allowed him to be an impact player in the Swedish Hockey League.
The Red Wings are willing to give up their first round pick this season. It’s easier to give up a first-round pick when it is likely to be in the second half of the draft. The chances of landing a regular out of the draft in the first 15 picks is 80 percent, but it’s less than 40% from picks No. 16-30.
Under the flag of you must give up something to get something, the Red Wings probably would be willing to give up one of their young centers. But it’s certainly not easy parting with young players with untapped potential. Despite Kasper’s scoring struggles, he’s one of Detroit’s most physical forwards. He leads the team with 137 hits. Plus, Kasper is only 21 and he could end up providing more offense. He did score 19 goals last season.
Like Kasper, Danielson is going to be a dependable NHL center, but it might be on the third line, not the second. How much offense will he contribute? It’s hard to know for sure.
Salary Impacts Trade Value
The ask for Pettersson might even be more if he didn’t have $11.6 million-per-season salary cap hit for another six seasons. The Canucks are unwilling to retain any salary, according to reports.
Because the Canucks are unwilling to retain any of Pettersson’s salary and given his struggles this season, could there be some wiggle room on the asking price? Maybe. But they don’t have to trade him now. It should be easy to hold the line on their asking price. Frankly, it’s reasonable, given his past production. At 27, Pettersson is theoretically in his prime.
If the Canucks are unsatisfied with Detroit’s center options, they could ask for goalie Sebastian Cossa or Trey Augustine. That would be a more difficult decision for Detroit.
The best guess is that Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Carter Bear, both having exceptional seasons, are untouchables. Axel Sandin-Pellikka is also not available. They likely want to keep both Cossa and Augustine because they are intent on assuring, they have at least one goalie for the future. You have better odds if you have two premium prospects. The Red Wings actually have a stable of good young goalies, and might be willing to part with one of their other goalie prospects in a deal this spring,
Another name that could come up in trade talks is Detroit prospect Dimitri Buchelnikov, the Russian forward with a scoring touch. He probably falls into the column of: Prefer to keep him but would move him in the right deal.
I believe Vancouver is asking too much for Petterson. They have this 104 pt player in mind but he is certainly no longer that player and over 11 mil/yr for what I believe is 8 yrs is a big gamble to take. Some of these players would have been OK in a Hughes deal but not for Petterson. JMO
It is really hard to say if such rumors are true. EP 40’s agent has not been asked anything about moving him.
Since they have been published, I would say they are probably true.
Might want to take a look at the internet once in a while.
The best to you. Real Red Wing fans have more class than your response. Thus, I understand since you are not a fan.
Just because some dope in with a Facebook Hockey page decided to write “there’s a good chance “so and so” would fit great in DET from his mom’s basement doesn’t make it true. I can guarantee you SY doesn’t use the same approach as mouth breather Adam’s approach to the matter. But hey, you be you, and believe everything you read on the internet
Completely agree, lots of unsubstantiated opinions out there by random jack-holes who don’t have any more knowledge of the trade situation than you or I. Whatever your opinions are of SY one thing is certain, he’s tight lipped and doesn’t spread rumors. Go DRW
Petterson was as bad last year as he is this year, so it’s not like this year is a one-off. Combined with his $11.6M salary for the next four years, I wouldn’t give up more than Compher and a third for him. But that’s just me.
Thomas is basically a 20-goal per year scorer, so I wouldn’t give away Kasper, a first and something else for him. His salary is $8.125M for the next five years, and that seems like a lot for what he produces.
For me, Trocheck is the player that could make a real difference for the following reasons, One, he has a very reasonable salary of $5.625 for the next three years. Two, he’s a reliable 20-goal scorer. Three, he’s as good in the faceoff circle and on the PK as Larkin is. That’s a huge plus in close games. And four, if you watched him in the Olympics, you know he plays hard every shift.
What would I give up for Trocheck? Well, I’d offer more if the Rangers took Compher or Ras as part of the trade. But generally, I’d say the 2026 1st- round pick + a mid-range prospect would be about it.
Still kind of shocked that there’s only been two minor trades since the end of the Olympics. That’ll make the next three days very interesting.
Good analysis. I believe Petterson’s contract runs till 31/32. Trocheck would be a good fit.
I thought it ran longer too, but PuckPedia shows his contract runs until the end of the 2029-2030 season.
A question for you.
Perhaps he also needs to get out of Vancouver’s system. If he can be back to a 30+ goal scorer in another system then you hit the jackpot.
For real analysis see the difference between Rick Tocchet’s (old coach) vs Adam Foote’s (new coach) systems. They went from a box plus one style to a system that clogs the middle. That’s a huge change for the centre. It also means that when playing in the defensive zone the forwards are constantly switching covering opponents instead of playing man-on-man. The problem is that players sometimes go out of their way to support when they’re not supposed to in this type of system. It’s been ingrained since pee wee times. The other issue is that the Canucks activate their defensemen a lot (they did have Hughes and still have Hronek) so that means the centre is going to have to sacrifice some offense on rushes to be able to get back on turnovers.
Hughes is now producing more with Minnesota than he did with Vancouver. Perhaps the system is stifling him (Elias)?
Look at how the Wings were doing under Lalonde versus coach T.
What you’re suggesting may be 100% true – but you wouldn’t know until after the trade is made (and even then it might be next year before his “resurgance” happens). So what would you gamble in a trade for him? Right now, I’m guessing the Canucks want way more than I’d be willing to gamble.
Would it worth it for a 2026 1st and let’s say, JT Compher or Soderblom (not both)?
Personally, I wouldn’t give up a 1st rounder for a guy who hasn’t come anywhere near living up to his cap hit this year or last year. But mostly, it’s his lack of “fire” that would make me look elsewhere. That’s not a concern when you look at Trocheck (or even Thomas).
I hear ya, but Yzerman may not want to give up much to get such guys. In other words, it may take less to get Elias and that may be the reason for trying to pursue him.
You could be right RW but I believe OTC’s response is spot on. It would be a big gamble. Just imagine getting another Compher but at 11+ million.
Would it worth it for a 2026 1st and let’s say, JT Compher or Soderblom (not both)?
I do think he would be better than JT Compher. JT never came close to some of Elias’ total points.
Could not have said it better myself! Great analysis and Petterson seems to be past his prime. I’ve always considered him a fickle player. He wouldn’t talk about his extension during the season and the Canucks finally got him to agree to negotiate so they new what they had to work with cap wise. I would not be interested in him for any price, but that’s me. The next few days are going to be very interesting.
Thomas is also a point per game for the past two prior seasons 86 and 81 and not just a 20 goal scorer. His salary is almost the same as Raymond. Most players with that many points are getting paid that and more.
Trocheck is gonna cost you more than that. 1st & a good forward prospect. Petterson? Probably the same. Centers are always in demand & many teams always have a need.
DRW are not going to be drafting in the top ten now so a first for EP is ok. Having him replaces the need at C so giving up a Danielson is reasonable. Throw ion one of two good goalie prospects not named Cossa or Augustine and another lower round pick if that’s what it takes. Bottom six forwards and bottom pair D are abundant in the DRW pool. The three guys coming up that are mentioned in the article that also have a physical side need to stay. Wings are still to soft.
Good points….I am with ya.