With the first week of NHL free agency concluded, the Detroit Red Wings, like many teams, are turning their attention to the trade market to further refine their roster for the 2025-26 season. After acquiring goalie John Gibson from Anaheim, and with roughly $12 million in cap space, General Manager Steve Yzerman is looking to add a top-four right-handed defenseman and potentially a top-six forward. Here are three potential trade partners for the Red Wings in the 2025 offseason:
1. Chicago Blackhawks:
The Blackhawks are in the midst of a rebuild centered around Connor Bedard. While they're aiming to improve, they may be willing to part with veteran players for future assets. Connor Murphy, a 32-year-old defenseman, has been mentioned in trade rumors for a while and could be a target for Detroit.
2. Dallas Stars:
The Stars are facing a salary cap crunch and may need to shed salary. Jason Robertson, a Northville, Michigan native who has scored 151 goals over the past four seasons, has been mentioned as a potential trade target. He carries a $7.75 million cap hit for one more season, and Yzerman has the assets to make a deal happen.
3. Nashville Predators:
After a disappointing 2024-25 season, the Predators might be open to shaking up their roster. Filip Forsberg, despite the team's struggles, scored 31 goals. With a $8.5 million AAV through 2030, Forsberg could provide a scoring boost to Detroit's top lines. The Red Wings were also interested in Mikael Granlund and Nick Perbix.
Other potential trade targets for the Red Wings include Bryan Rust (Pittsburgh), Rickard Rakell (Pittsburgh), J.J. Peterka (Buffalo Sabres), Marco Rossi (Minnesota Wild), Rasmus Andersson (Calgary), Bowen Byram (Buffalo), Alexander Romanov (NY Islanders), Nicolas Hague (Vegas Golden Knights), and Adam Pelech (NY Islanders).
Yzerman has a history of making trades that come out of the blue. He values relationships with other GMs and is known for his aggressive approach to the trade market. While the free agent market has thinned out, the Red Wings have the assets and cap space to improve their roster via trade.
