Trades on the Forefront for Detroit Red Wings?


Red Wings

Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

A couple months ago, the Detroit Red Wings looked bound for their first playoff miss since the 1980s. This scrappy squad road some heroic performances by Henrik Zetterberg to the postseason and nearly knocked off eventual champion Chicago Blackhawks in the second round, going up 3-1 in the series before falling.

However, to keep this upward trajectory going and upgrade from the No. 7-seed next season Detroit may need to orchestrate some wheeling and dealing, and Detroit’s front office is openly entertaining trades.

“I’m going to explore a trade or two,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said earlier this week, via an excellent report by Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. “Maybe a two-for-one deal, maybe a three-for-one, or three-for-two.”

With her hand on the pulse of the organization, James also mused on the Red Wings’ potential plans.

“Holland has had talks with the camps for all three of the unrestricted free-agent forwards — Valtteri Filppula, Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner — but they’re all part of the puzzle that’ll fall into place over the coming week, vis-a-vis who fits where. It’s almost certain the Wings will end up trading Filppula’s rights, then set out to find a replacement second-line center.

“If a trade can’t be worked out to clear roster room, — one of those who’ll be in play is defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who became extraneous with the addition of Danny DeKeyser — then buyouts will be considered next week. It’s a bit murky, but it may be possible to buy out forward Mikael Samuelsson, though he could possibly make a case that he isn’t healthy.”


We Recommend