On the Detroit Red Wings …
Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: The Red Wings are seven points out, and have three games in hand on the Boston Bruins. With the way their schedule is laid out before the trade deadline, it will be hard to make up ground.
The Wings should take the opportunity to add future assets.
They need to bring in “stars,” and those are usually found now through the draft, and not through free agency and trades.
They should keep Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou and Henrik Zetterberg – unless the return is significant.
It might cost $4.5 million to re-sign Thomas Vanek, so it may be in their better interest to trade him for draft picks.
Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist‘s trade value has decreased, but they are still assets.
Defenseman Mike Green should draw some trade interest from a team looking for some added scoring on the blueline.
Defenseman Brendan Smith is a pending UFA.
Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson has three years left on his deal at a $4.25 million cap hit.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: If the Red Wings are able to collect around 10 points (out of 14) over their next seven games, they might be able to stand pat. But if they don’t, it’s probably time for them to becomes sellers at the deadline.
Thomas Vanek will get trade interest. If they are able to get a second round pick (or higher) or a high-end prospect, they should do it. The Wings could consider trading him and then re-sign him in the offseason as it appears that he enjoys playing in Detroit.
If they get a reasonable trade offer for goaltender Petr Mrazek, they should consider moving him.
Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar have combined for only 18 goals this season and it might be time to trade one of them. Nyquist has two years left at $4.75 million and Tatar is a pending RFA.