Will they trade big? Will they trade small?
Will they trade not at all?
The answer to that question likely won’t be known for certain until 3 p.m. EST March 2, a.k.a. the NHL trade deadline, arrives and the dealing is done.
For now, though, the Detroit Red Wings are preparing for the lead-up to that big day and weighing their options.
Monday, the Wings opted not to practice and Detroit coach Mike Babcock and general manager Ken Holland took advantage of the down time to get together, go over and assess their team looking forward toward the deadline to decipher what, if any, moves they might be willing to make.
“It was a good day for that,… Babcock said. “We meet all the time. We met for a long time. We talked about our team, our minor league team (the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins). This isn’t just about the trade deadline. Ken and I talk every day.
“We went into more detail than we would on a game-day breakdown.…
The obvious need for Detroit would appear to be defensive depth. Do they opt to ride with rookies Xavier Ouellet and Alexey Marchenko as realistic top-six NHL options or should they be in the market for a more experienced blue-liner?
That’s one of the reasons why Marchenko was recalled to Detroit on the weekend, so the team could decipher whether he’s ready and capable of handling an NHL workload, something they already feel certain that Ouellet could do if required.
Babcock admitted he isn’t shy at all about going to Holland and saying, ‘This is what I need.’
“One hundred percent,… Babcock said. “I try and tell him exactly what our priorities are.
“There’s no surprises, he knows what I want. Now in the end can you do what a guy wants? Is it possible or is the cost too great, short term, long term, all those things?
“Those are all things Ken and I deal with. In the end Ken has the final decision on all this, just like our roster. That doesn’t mean I don’t have tons to say.
“During the game I decide who goes on the ice, but he gives a ton of feedback in that area too, but we talk after each game. too.
“That’s how we work together.…
Certainly, there would appear to be defensemen available. Washington’s Mike Green, Buffalo’s Tyler Myers, Edmonton’s Jeff Petry, New Jersey’s Marek Zidlicky and Toronto’s Cody Franson all could be had for the right price.
The question is would that price be right for the Wings?
“You always have a wish list of what you need to try and improve your team,… said Babcock, who’s made no secret of his desire for a right-hand shot on his defense, another reason Marchenko was recalled. “Sometimes it’s reasonable and sometimes it’s not reasonable. That’s the general manager’s job and the pro scouts to sort that out.…
Last year, with the top five centers on the depth chart all injured, the Wings, fighting for a playoff spot, were desperate for help and dealt center prospect Calle Jarnkrok, veteran forward Patrick Eaves and a second-round draft pick to the Nashville Predators for center David Legwand.
This year, with the team relatively healthy and fighting for top spot in the Eastern Conference, there seems less urgency on Detroit’s part to make a move.
“I think we look way better this year before the deadline comes than we did last year,… Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “I don’t think we’ll look for deals as much as we did last year.…
That doesn’t mean a trade won’t happen.
“Always if there is a deal out there, the deal is out there,… Zetterberg said. “But if you look back in our history, it’s not often that something happens.
“Last year we had a lot of injuries and we made a deal to get Legwand. This year we’re healthy so I don’t expect us to do much but if something happens it will happen.
“It’s part of the sport and you just deal with it.…
Should a deal come down, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will provide the missing piece of the puzzle. Babcock cited the 2011-12 season, when the Wings were riding high and made a move to add defenseman Kyle Quincey.
“We’re in a good spot today,… Babcock said. “If you remember a few years back, we were in first, on top in the league, and we made a move to trade for Kyle Quincey (surrendering a first-round draft pick in the trade).… Almost immediately afterward, the Wings were beset with injuries. “Everybody got hurt,… Babcock said. “Even when we got them back we never got going again. We had a number of injuries, just unbelievable. We make the move and the whole team gets hurt. “Nick Lidstrom broke his leg and he was never Nick Lidstrom again. We might have won only five games after that point of the year so when you look at it we’re in a good spot today, but let’s understand it’s today and the league is moving ahead and you have to win games.… Often, it’s the under-the-radar moves that prove to be difference makers. The addition of defensemen Larry Murphy (in 1997) and Brad Stuart (in 2008) sparked Stanley Cup triumphs. “I think that’s the caliber of player you will get,… Zetterberg said. “He will be a good player. “If that happens, I don’t think it will be uneasy to get him in the mix, but if nothing happens, nothing happens.… “I think that’s the caliber of player you will get,… Zetterberg said. “He will be a good player. “If that happens, I don’t think it will be uneasy to get him in the mix, but if nothing happens, nothing happens. “Obviously, everyone knows when the deadline is and there will be some moves.… Will the Wings be one of those in a dealing frame of mind? One thing that’s certain is that history won’t play any role in their final decision. Just because they look the part now won’t prohibit them from considering adding another part to the team. “Yeah, but the opportunity may be greater too,… Babcock said, recognizing that Detroit isn’t far off from being a Stanley Cup contender and there might be a move out there that could put the Wings over the top.
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