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What's viable and what's not in Motown at the trade deadline

March 12, 2013, 11:32 AM ET [28 Comments]
Mark Spizzirri
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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UPDATE: The Red Wings have recalled Gustav Nyquist this morning and sent down Tomas Tatar to Grand Rapids prior to the team's three game Western Canada road trip this week. I have to believe Nyquist will get a chance in the Wings top-six on this trip, with Justin Abdelkader likely demoted to play on Joakim Andersson on the 3rd line in place of Tatar.

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With this season's NHL trade deadline just a shade over three weeks away, it stands to reason that it's only a matter of time before the first domino falls to commence the likely flurry of trades that will follow. In recent years, many GM's have made deals a week or two prior to the deadline in the hopes of avoiding higher prices in the hours leading up to the deadline arriving.

Nevertheless, after a disappointing home-and-home series this past weekend for the Detroit Red Wings against Columbus to conclude their season series with the Blue Jackets, speculation continues to mount that Detroit may look to find a viable scoring option to complement their current top six. After securing only three out of possible 10 points this season against Columbus and scoring only 9 goals in those 5 contests, GM Ken Holland may feel the need to infuse further talent into the roster to provide the Red Wings with an improved opportunity of securing a playoff spot.

In examining potential options, this year's salary cap situation for Detroit won't be an issue. Even looking ahead to next season, the Wings appear to be in a decent situation, as they have 17 players committed at a cost of $46.5 million, leaving approximately $17.8 million to sign an additional 9-10 players, many of which currently earn around $1 million per season.

Without further adieu, let's look at several of the names that have been mentioned as possibilities (including several from Eklund) and examine how viable each player would be in Detroit:

Valteri Filppula: Before looking around the league, let's discuss Filppula once again. It's no secret he is having a down year, which many feel might be attributed to injuries. Nevertheless, the Red Wings still believe Filppula can continue to be a useful piece of their puzzle. He will be looking for a pay raise from his $3 million per season to around $4.5 per year, a figure I believe the Red Wings don't want to exceed with him.

With the likes of Gustav Nyquist and Calle Jarnkrok waiting in the wings for positions in Detroit's top six, perhaps Filppula is moved if a long-term extension cannot be reached prior to the deadline. Realistically, his status as a UFA, his play this year and his current injury status would likely lower his potential return.

Brian Campbell: Has been mentioned by Ek as a potential deadline move by the Panthers, with the Wings and Flyers interested. Under the terms of the new CBA, I suppose anything is possible when you consider the fact teams trading a player can take on a portion of the salary in order to facilitate a deal. It essentially becomes a reduced buyout for the Panthers, where they also perhaps get something in return.

Regardless, Campbell has three seasons remaining on his deal scheduled to pay him $7.142 million per season. Unless Florida is looking to eat a portion of that number for each of the three upcoming seasons, I don't envision the Wings taking Campbell on despite the fact he would be an effective replacement for the Brian Rafalski/Ian White undersized defender with puck-moving ability and offensive skills.

Jarome Iginla: Red Wing fans have always had a fascination with Iginla and somehow wrenching him away from Calgary. The truth of the matter is Iginla does not appear intent on moving his family at this stage of his career and hopes to remain a Flame until he decides to retire. At the age of 35 and scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, he still has been able to post 19 points in 24 games this season and would be a potential short-term fit for the Red Wings if Iginla were to agree to waive his "no movement clause." Don't see him doing it at all, let alone to move to a team not close to Calgary.

Dustin Byfuglien: Another rearguard Eklund has Detroit potentially in on, he has three years remaining on his contract after this season with a $5.2 cap hit. He turns 28 later this month and is entering the prime of his career and would provide any team with size and offensive skills from the backend. Both teams will be in different conferences next season and Detroit will likely not extend Ian White and his $2.875 million salary past this season.

He is an intriguing possibility in my estimation and the price may not be as substantial as you might think because of the fact the team taking him on will have to pay him $17.5 million over the final 3 seasons, as his 5-year contract was back-loaded. The Jets have Zach Bogosian as a restricted free agent this summer as well.

Bobby Ryan: This is exactly the type of guy the Red Wings could use on Pavel Datsyuk's wing. He turns 26 next week and has scored 30 goals the past four seasons in Anaheim. The reason why he might be available is dependent on the Ducks stance with Corey Perry. The Ducks have no intention of being a "cap team". However, if they are successful in re-signing Perry after having retained Ryan Getzlaf, the Ducks will potentially look to move someone like Ryan who has a cap hit of $5.1 million remaining for two additional seasons. Again with Detroit scheduled to move East next season, they become a more likely trade partner than prior to realignment with Anaheim.

Ryan (or Perry for that matter) is the type of player Holland would consider parting with some of his younger talent/prospects.

Ryan Miller: There has been a longstanding rumor that Miller would become a Red Wing at some point in his career. However, unless Detroit cannot reach an agreement with Jimmy Howard, I don't envision a scenario where Miller joins Detroit. That rumor was prominent 2-3 years ago when Howard had not yet cemented his spot as a true #1 NHL goaltender. Despite the Wings lack of success in the postseason recently, Howard has proven his abilities in being able to carry the load and is expected to cost Detroit less than the $6.25 million Miller is scheduled to make next season. Won't happen.

Jaromir Jagr: Anything is possible with Jagr given the fact he is on a one-year contract with Dallas. Cost to obtain him might be relatively minor, especially if Dallas falls further out of playoff contention over the next three weeks. The Stars currently sit two points out of 8th position in the Western Conference. As a power-play specialist and linemate to Datsyuk, he could still be dangerous offensively. He currently has 18 points in 23 games with Dallas.

Ruslan Fedotenko: Similar to Jagr, the cost to obtain him should be relatively inexpensive. The 34-year old no longer contributes offensively like he did at stages earlier in his career. However, his playoff experience could make him a useful asset to own down the stretch if the likes of Bertuzzi and Samuelsson aren't able to contribute going forward.

Keith Yandle: I think the Red Wings would have interest in Yandle, but still don't believe the Coyotes will move him. That being said, the emergence of Oliver Ekman-Larsson who becomes a RFA this summer and will earn a substantial raise could make Yandle trade bait in order for the Coyotes to remain on the lower-end of the pay scale. Once again, Detroit's move to the Eastern Conference likely makes them a more viable trade partner for Phoenix prior to realignment. The 26 year-old has 3 years remaining on his contract with a $5.2 cap hit.

Lubomir Visnovsky: Eklund once again has pencilled Visnovsky as a guy Detroit covets to add to their collection of defensemen. Obtaining him would be a likely rental as he is a UFA in the summer. The 36 year-old is only two seasons removed from his 68 point season in Anaheim which earned him a nomination for the Norris Trophy. Once again similar to Jagr, if the Islanders fall further out of playoff contention over the course of the next 2-3 weeks, the Isles likely will look to move Visnovsky. Feel Detroit would look to add him if some of the other options on the blueline don't materialize.

Ray Whitney: Similar to Jagr, the aging forward could become a trade target if the Stars fall out of the playoff race. He does have one year remaining on his contract for next season at $4.5 million. In addition, he would have to waive his modified no-trade clause, although you would think he wouldn't oppose a playoff run in Detroit. The 40-year old Whitney has been injured for a good chunk of the season, only playing 8 games and scoring 6 points. However, he is hoping to return to action this week from a foot injury. Not a likely candidate in Detroit, but they could do much worse.

Stephen Weiss: Expected to be a major name at the trade deadline, a wrist injury will keep him out for the remainder of the season. However, as a pending UFA this summer, several teams might have interest in obtaining his rights in order to negotiate with him prior to the July free agent signing frenzy. Although this could happen after the season, Florida could look to move him at the deadline to provide teams with extra time to negotiate a deal with Weiss. Once again, if Detroit does not plan to retain Filppula, they might look to Weiss to solidify the #2 center spot....especially if Red Wing management is already aware of Pavel Datsyuk's future plans following the 2013-14 season.

Who do Red Wing fans want GM Ken Holland to pursue at the deadline? Are the Red Wings likely to sit on their hands and suggest the return of Darren Helm is their trade deadline acquisition? Although that has been the case in recent years, I think this season Detroit may attempt to utilize the extra cap space to their advantage in an attempt to strengthen their roster prior to the final 4 weeks of the season.

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