NHL Rumours: Detroit Red Wings Might Not Be Done

It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re at the Fourth of July and the free agent fireworks have somewhat died down. However, are still plenty of things to talk about when it comes to rosters. Most of the big name players have already signed deals. However, general managers are always trying to find a way to make things better. Our focus now shifts to the trade market and how teams might be active.

One team that could make some deals is the Detroit Red Wings. This edition of NHL rumours deals with what they may do next.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

Detroit Red Wings May Try to Improve Via Trade Market

Rumour: Max Bultman of The Athletic took at look at the Red Wings may try do after the first few days of free agency. Bultman points out that Detroit and general manager Steve Yzerman may try to make some trades.

Analysis: The Red Wings are no strangers to making off-season deals. Two years ago, Yzerman made a big splash by acquiring forward Alex DeBrincat. The trade helped the Red Wings address a key need, but they may need to go this route again.

Detroit did make some moves in the off-season. The Wings brought back Patrick Kane on a one-year deal and also signed Mason Appleton to a contract to address some of the problems on the offensive end. Yzerman also picked up John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks via trade to try and fix the goaltending problems.

However, some other roster holes still need to be filled in the off-season. Bultman points out that a top-four defender and a top-six winger needs to be added in order to get Detroit to snap its long Stanley Cup Playoff drought.

What It Means

Yzerman’s press conference on Thursday said that he won’t rule out any other off-season moves. However, those may be hard to come by in the coming months. The Wings beat writer said that nothing seems to be in the offing.

However, that could change in the next week or two. Deals can sometimes materialize out of nowhere or be resurrected. The Gibson trade was initially discussed at the deadline, but an injury to Gibson put that one the backburner.

Bultman mentions that some potential fits had already been traded. Defencemaen K’Andre Miller and Nicolas Hague were already traded and forward Mason Marchment was also dealt to the Seattle Kraken.

A name like Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson was mentioned by Bultman as a possible trade target. However, he would likely command a high asking price by Stars General Manager Jim Nill. We could also see a pair of Pittsburgh Penguins players in the mix. Bultman points out that both Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust could be on the radar if the price is right.

Bowen Byram was also mentioned, but one wonders what the fit would be. He likely wants to be running the top power-play unit and the Red Wings already have that covered.