Trade Idea Has Red Wings Acquiring $20.5 Million Power Forward
The Detroit Red Wings are looking to make some major moves this offseason to snap their playoff drought.
Detroit has missed the playoffs in nine straight seasons and should be aggressive on the trade front, as well as in free agency. One trade idea by Heavy.com sees the Red Wings acquire Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers.
Red Wings acquire:
- Evander Kane
- 2025 third-round pick (St. Louis)
Oilers acquire:
- Jonatan Berggren
The proposed deal makes sense for both teams as Detroit gets a solid middle-six forward in the NHL and a draft pick for taking on his contract. In exchange, the Red Wings give up a young forward who has struggled to fit in with Detroit.
The Red Wings would acquire Evander Kane, who’s entering the final year of his four-year, $20.5 million deal. Kane is expected to be traded this offseason and fits in nicely with the Red Wings. Kane would be a second or third-line forward for Detroit who plays a physical role but can also score. He’d also be a leader on the ice and give the team some playoff experience. Kane recorded 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points in 21 playoff games as he missed the entire season due to an injury.
In return, Detroit would trade Berggren, who’s a pending RFA. The 24-year-old has struggled to fit in with the Red Wings and would be a trade candidate. He’d bring the Oilers some youth and would be much cheaper than Kane. He recorded 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 75 games last season.
Oilers Shopping Kane
Although Edmonton is looking to get rid of Kane, he still is a good NHL player, which will lead to the Oilers getting a decent return for him.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed there will be a pretty good market for Kane in trade talks this offseason.
“Kane was a really effective player,” Friedman said on The Fan Hockey Show. “I think there will be a market for him.”
Kane does have a 16-team no-trade list, so he does have some trade protection. Friedman also wonders if Kane even wants to be traded.
“He just had another child, so we’ll see how he and the Oilers feel about all this. I say that because not everybody’s always interested in moving once their family expands, but we’ll see,” Friedman added about Kane.
Kane has skated in 930 career NHL games, recording 617 points.
Red Wings GM Open to Being Aggressive
With Detroit in the midst of a playoff drought, the Red Wings are looking to be aggressive in the offseason.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made it clear at his year-end press conference that the team is open to being aggressive to snap its playoff drought
“We’ve kind of felt that all along, we’re going to look at any good player — any player that can help us in any role — if there’s a player worthy of spending whatever amount on, that has an interest in playing in Detroit and fits a need for us, absolutely we would try to do that,” Yzerman said. “We’re in a different stage than we were maybe five years ago in that we have a good young nucleus of players. And if we can add to that with a prominent free agent, we’d certainly entertain that.”
Regardless if they make a big move or not, Yzerman says the goal is to make the playoffs.
“You’re trying to win and aiming for Stanley Cups. That’s what we’re trying to do here,” Yzerman concluded.
