My Detroit Red Wings Offseason Proposal

I stand on the belief that nothing can happen this offseason until the return for Dylan Larkin is settled. So, the first move I would make is moving Dylan Larkin for a young, NHL-ready center. I’m open to either a prospect or a young roster player, as long as they have the upside to become a potential number one center for the team.

Some of the names I would be looking at include packages centered around Michael Hage, Konsta Helenius, or Roger McQueen. Admittedly, my two favorite center prospects are Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers. But with the Sebastian Cossa to Utah already being done, I’m sure if a larger package including Larkin was possible, it would have been done.

I believe each of the aforementioned names could become NHL number ones. To me, that’s the centerpiece in a Dylan Larkin deal. I’d be looking for one of those players, another first-round value asset, and another B-tier asset. Here’s my ideal mock trade.

Obviously you don’t love sending Dylan Larkin to an intra-division opponent. But Montreal has a surplus of young talent, a need at center, and the cap space to make a good trade partner. Pair that with their conference finals appearance, and they also have the pedigree that would make Larkin waive his no-movement clause.

After the Dylan Larkin drama is dealt with, it’s time to move on to signing some of the Red Wings key players to new deals. Alex DeBrincat, Simon Edvinsson and Patrick Kane all need new contracts heading into the 2026-27 season, so Detroit will have to fork over a decent chunk of their cap space.

I’ve stated before that Simon Edvinsson should not exceed the internal number set by Moritz Seider for defensemen. Seider came 5th in Norris voting and 11th in MVP voting as well as winning the Calder Trophy in his rookie season; Simon Edvinsson is simply not the same tier of player. Not to mention his peers Lane Hutson, Jackson LaCombe and Luke Hughes all inked deals in the $8M-$9M range, and each of them has coherent arguments for making more money than Simon Edvinsson.

After that, it’s Alex DeBrincat. He’s the team’s first 40 goal scorer since Marian Hossa and finished top 20 in points this season. DeBrincat’s mix of grit and skill is what makes him irreplaceable to this team, and if he’s going to stay in Detroit during a retool, it’s going to cost Detroit on the books. Still though, any number is worth it as 40-goal scorers don’t grow on trees.

Finally, Patrick Kane is due for a new deal. With the Red Wings looking to re-tool, Patrick Kane might seem like a casualty due to age. However, the experience and skill that Kane brings to the locker room are worth keeping around an otherwise poor Red Wings culture right now. His 57 points in 67 games have also kept him productive up front for the Red Wings, making a new deal for Kane plenty worth it.

With Dylan Larkin dealt and the big names set to return, it’s time to start doing what we can to improve the roster while still maintaining the youth.

Trimming the Fat

When your coach refers to you as a “jersey”, it’s a problem. The Red Wings have some serious cardio-merchants on this roster. Obviously the two big ones are J.T. Compher and Michael Rasmussen. But, with an aim for the future, Ben Chiarot and Mason Appleton are certainly expendable as well. There is clearly a need to get rid of some of the players who haven’t worked.

It’s unreasonable to think that Detroit is going to get rid of all of these guys, so let’s start with two. Michael Rasmussen and Mason Appleton. Michael Rasmussen has the size and penalty kill ability that might encourage a general manager to take a second chance on him. Mason Appleton also has a solid track record pre-Detroit, so there’s a chance GM’s needing depth might take a look at him.

Detroit sends Rasmussen to Philadelphia as a depth option with some size that Tocchet might be able to return to form. Philadelphia also gets a mid-round pick for taking on the contract. Detroit sends Appleton back to Winnipeg, where he had some good years, in return for a late pick.

Trades and Free Agency

Even with a Dylan Larkin trade, the Red Wings need one more big move. Fortunately, the Red Wings have some assets to move before hitting free agency. I’m looking at Nate Danielson as an option to hit the trade market. Down the middle, the Red Wings now have Michael Hage, Marco Kasper and potentially Carter Bear for the top six. Not to mention any future picks. The right wing now has Lucas Raymond, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Max Plante, Alexander Zharovsky and J.P. Hurlbert. So, the need for Nate Danielson is pretty much negated.

I’m also looking at Justin Faulk; the Red Wings might as well continue giving Sandin-Pellikka top-four minutes if they don’t see themselves as competitors next season. Even getting Anton Johansson some run on the bottom pair seems much deserved after a great run with Grand Rapids.

So I’m looking for a deal to move both of them as a package. I think the team that fits them best is the Vegas Golden Knights, who have a thin right side already and one that may only get worse if Rasmus Andersson leaves. Faulk at 50% retained with Nate Danielson on an ELC could give them serious bang for their buck.

Detroit gets Trevor Connelly, an incredibly promising left-wing prospect who can step into the lineup as early as next season. Connelly finished his AHL campaign over a point per game for the Golden Knights and gives the Red Wings a high-upside prospect.

Finally, the Red Wings should make one small add in free agency . I’ve loved Jamie Oleksiak for a while as a player. He’s a big body who plays solid defense; he’s the kind of presence I want next to Axel Sandin-Pellikka next season. I’m also interested in Scott Laughton as a short-term center option with some heart for this team’s depth.

Neither of the free agents is a long-term commitment. Instead, pricey stop-gaps to help aid the youth before making another push next season.

Final Roster

Roster

Prospects

It’s a little young to be competitive next season, and I’m aware of that, but there’s some serious upside here. Hage, Connelly and Brandsegg-Nygard would all get some serious run as top six forwards. Each of them project to be impact players who can give Detroit the top six help they need.

The prospect pool gets a truly elite talent in Zharovsky to headline it now, with Plante, Bear and Augustine still looking promising. Not to mention the first round pick Detroit would have for next season.

Finally, Carter Mazur, Anton Johansson and Michal Postava will get their looks, and the Red Wings can decide if these are pieces to keep or deal.

It’s not perfect, but it leaves Detroit with the cap space and draft capital to either make a trade or draft another center. Either way, it’s a lot younger and builds toward a far more clear window than they have now.