Everything has a price.
When it comes to hockey, you need to give to get. The “future considerations” loophole aside, if you want to acquire talent, you must draft, trade, or sign a free agent. With the trade deadline approaching, it’s time to look at who could leave the Detroit Red Wings locker room.
This is a list of players who are either rumored to be on the trade block or have expiring deals, making them appealing to teams making a Stanley Cup run.
Here are four Red Wings players who could find themselves with a new team by the end of this year’s trade deadline.
Vladimir Tarasenko
A few things in life are guaranteed: death, taxes, and Vladimir Tarasenko popping up in trade rumors every season.
All jokes aside, Elliotte Friedman has mentioned in the last 10 days that the Red Wings are potentially looking to move on from the veteran Russian forward. But how likely is it that the team moves on from him?
His price tag isn’t the greatest, but with the salary cap shooting up over the next three seasons, it wouldn’t be difficult for another team to acquire him.
The question lies with the acquiring team: why would they want him? The Florida Panthers feels like a fit, while others have hinted at the Toronto Maple Leafs. I also wouldn’t count out the possibility of the Vegas Golden Knights making a play.
Either way, I wouldn’t count on Tarasenko playing out the rest of his contract in Detroit.
Ville Husso
The Red Wings crease is crowded like a $2 all-you-can-eat-sushi-buffet.
Currently, the Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon duo are getting the job done for the Red Wings. With that being said, something has got to give.
In the minors, they have prized prospect Sebastian Cossa, reclamation project Jack Campbell, and Ville Husso. Cossa has become the de facto starter, and Husso has accumulated the second-most starts among the netminders.
However, Cossa’s dominance and Campbell’s serviceability make Husso more than expendable.
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Alex Lyon
Alex Lyon has a very appealing contract. The netminder is in the final year of a deal costing the Red Wings $900,000.
His price tag and good performance will make him appealing to contenders looking to fortify their goalie position down the stretch. Because of that, the Red Wings could get a pretty penny for him.
However, he is younger than Cam Talbot, so the Red Wings could pull a switcheroo and try to trade him instead. With his past relationship to Todd McLellan and performance this season, it’s tough to see them going this route.
Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane has been revived since the coaching change. The veteran winger didn’t need new linemates, just a new boss calling the shots.
That being said, he’s on an expiring contract and performing well. If the return makes sense for the Red Wings, he could be traded to a contending team.
He’s already received one of four bonuses tied to his contract. His $1.5 million bonus was paid out after he played 10 games. He has another $1 million in bonuses remaining, two of which are tied to the playoffs.
While Kane may stay with the Red Wings, his leaving to win a cup somewhere else should not be ruled out.
Ultimately, only time will tell. But Red Wings fans should keep their eyes on these four players, as it’s almost guaranteed that they won’t all return next season.
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