Red Wings Deal or No Deal: Offseason Edition

Philadelphia Acquires: Sebastian Cossa, Carter Bear, 2027 3rd round pick

Detroit Acquires: Matvei Michkov, 2028 4th round pick

The Red Wings need some superstar-level talent, and Michkov looks like he could be that. Through 161 NHL games, he already has 114 points. Despite playing third-line minutes and being a part of a lackluster power-play, Michkov remains a fantastic offensive producer at just 21 years old.

The problem is the clash of personalities in the Flyers organization. Head coach Rick Tocchet runs a strict program, and Michkov showing up out of shape to training camp was the first sign that things might not be so sunny in Philadelphia. In the playoffs, Michkov only managed one point through 8 games (being benched for two games), and was demoted to the fourth line, playing only 11:50 per game. It’s fair to say that Michkov might not be the stylistic fit that the Flyers want.

The Flyers would likely look past all of that to make things work with their potential franchise icon if Porter Martone hadn’t stolen the show in his stint in Philly this season. Martone recorded 10 points in his first 9 regular-season games and 5 points in the 10 postseason games he played, laying the groundwork for an elite offensive player. Not to mention Martone’s big frame and heavy physical play, all of which lend to him being the exact type of player Tocchet wants to lead the Flyers forward.

Detroit has plenty of talented players that could cater to the style the Flyers want to build around, none with more upside than Carter Bear. Carter Bear plays the aggressive, fast and gritty style Rick Tocchet loves while still having the offensive talent to be a steady 60-70 point guy at his best. Pair that with highly-touted Red Wings goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa, who could be the long-term answer for the Flyers’ shaky goaltending, and there could be a deal that helps both sides.

If you’re Steve Yzerman, are you giving up one of your elite goalie prospects and a safe former first-round pick who looks like he will become a pretty solid top-six guy to take a swing on a superstar-level skill set that needs to be unlocked?

Elias Pettersson

Vancouver Acquires: Nate Danielson, Michael Rasmussen, 2028 2nd round pick, 2029 3rd round pick

Red Wings Acquire: Elias Pettersson

The Red Wings are in desperate need of a true second line center that can help the team both now and in the future. At his best, Elias Pettersson can be all that and more for the Red Wings. The problem is that Pettersson hasn’t been at his best for two years now, while still getting paid a superstar’s payroll at $11,600,000 until 2032.

There was a time when taking on Elias Pettersson would be doing Vancouver a favor, taking on a huge contract and allowing them to build towards the future. However, with the cap rising and teams getting more and more desperate to get better now, Elias Pettersson will certainly have some takers.

It’s possible that playing with fellow countryman Lucas Raymond could bring him back to at least 70-point form. They looked great together at the Olympics, and Raymond always seems to elevate when around his Swedish teammates. Not to mention getting to Detroit would give him more talented line-mates and softer deployments than he faced in Vancouver this season, where he recorded 51 points in 74 games.

If things go absolutely perfect, though, Detroit could be buying low on star-level talent that just needs a new home. Think about Pierre-Luc Dubois, Chris Kreider, Trevor Zegras, and Sam Reinhardt, obviously to different degrees, but they’re all benefiting from new scenery. Hell, even DeBrincat turned it around since getting to Detroit. It’s possible that Pettersson is the kind of player the Red Wings desperately need.

The Canucks know this, though. So, in return for not retaining any salary, the Red Wings give up their most valuable forward prospect in Nate Danielson, who also has an outside shot of becoming a solid middle-six forward. The Canucks also take on Michael Rasmussen as a hometown kid who can negate a bit of the cap hit Detroit is taking on. The second and third round picks also further help the Canucks build towards the future.

Would you take the risk on damaged goods? Do you believe that Elias Pettersson just needs a change in scenery or is he permanently going to be a salary cap nightmare for the rest of his career?

Nico Hischier

New Jersey Acquires: Sebastian Cossa, Nate Danielson or Emmitt Finnie, Max Plante, 2027 1st round pick, 2028 1st round pick

Detroit Acquires: Nico Hischier (extended at $11M x 6)

It doesn’t get much more on brand for Steve Yzerman than Nico Hischier. He’s a stellar defensive forward who can still produce 60-70 points in difficult second line deployments with some good, but not elite line mates. He’s the perfect one-two punch to pair alongside Dylan Larkin down the middle for the Red Wings, easing each other’s deployments, allowing for both lines to get on offense easier. Not to mention injecting the talent to actually capitalize on those deployments.

There’s not much more to say about Hischier. He’s a stellar center, giving Detroit three two-way centers who all slot into their lines well and can chip in well offensively. Suddenly, Detroit’s top three centers would have 67 points in 74 games (Dylan Larkin), 66 points in 82 games (Nico Hischier), and 43 points in 79 games (Andrew Copp), giving each line an offensive boost. Pair that with each of them having face-off win percentages above 53%, and suddenly, I’m very comfortable with Detroit’s center core.

The cost of assurance is expensive in this league, though. New Jersey is strapped for cap space, and they not only need to extend key pieces but also upgrade a Devils team that missed the playoffs in a weak Metro division. A great way to start that is by getting them three young players on ELC’s that can contribute right now to their poor depth.

Nate Danielson is NHL-ready, and if New Jersey loses a center, they’re going to want one in return. Though I could see New Jersey wanting Emmitt Finnie because of the speed and proof of concept that he can produce in the NHL. After that, the Devils could use a boost in net both now and in the future. With Markstrom and Allen both being above age 35 and playing fairly average, Sebastian Cossa could easily become a staple for them in net as soon as this season. Add in Hobey Baker winner Max Plante and two first-round picks to give New Jersey either future assets or trade ammo, and I think the deal makes sense on both ends if Hischier doesn’t show interest in staying in New Jersey.

If you’re Steve, are you ready to pay a king’s ransom to improve down the middle, or do you take your prospects and trust that you can draft well enough to build well for the future?

More to Read

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