The Detroit Red Wings are looking to be aggressive ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline as they push to end a lengthy playoff drought.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, speaking on Tuesday’s edition of Insider Trading, Detroit is targeting a second-line center and a right-handed defenseman. The Red Wings are reportedly focused on players who have term remaining on their contracts, making it clear they are not interested in short-term rental additions.
Detroit currently sits second in the Atlantic Division with a 32-16-5 record and has been one of the league’s hottest teams of late, going 8-1-1 over its last 10 games. With the club in strong playoff position, the front office appears intent on strengthening the roster for both the present and the future.
Among players with term who fit Detroit’s needs, Nazem Kadri and Vincent Trocheck headline the list of potential center options, while Dougie Hamilton and Justin Faulk stand out on the blue line, according to theScore’s trade board.
The Red Wings are currently deploying Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, J.T. Compher, and Michael Rasmussen down the middle. On the right side of the defense, Detroit has Moritz Seider, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Travis Hamonic in the mix.
From an asset standpoint, Detroit is well positioned to make a move. The organization owns a pick in every round of upcoming drafts, with the lone exception being its 2027 second-round pick, which was moved to the Anaheim Ducks in the John Gibson trade.
As the deadline approaches, Detroit appears poised to capitalize on its momentum. With playoff expectations rising and a clear set of needs identified, the Red Wings are signaling that they are ready to make a meaningful addition in hopes of returning to the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade.
