The Detroit Red Wings are looking to snap their nine-year playoff drought and should be aggressive in looking to add more talent to the roster.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Red Wings acquire Jordan Eberle from the Seattle Kraken in an intriguing move.
Red Wings acquire:
Kraken acquire:
The proposed trade would be a one-for-one deal as Detroit gets a veteran forward who is better now and can help the Red Wings win next season. Seattle, meanwhile, gets younger and adds someone who fits their young core better.
The Red Wings would acquire Eberle, who’s in the final year of his two-year, $9.5 million deal. Eberle can be a middle-six player for the Red Wings and add some more secondary scoring, which was an issue for Detroit last season. The former first-round pick had 9 goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 42 games.
In return, the Red Wings would trade Rasmussen, who hasn’t lived up to the expectations of being a first-round pick. Rasmussen was selected ninth overall in 2017 but projects to be a fourth-line for Detroit this season. Given that he is just 26, Seattle would be banking on him playing better with more playing time. He recorded 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 77 games. He has three years left on his four-year, $12.8 million deal with the Red Wings.
Red Wings GM Hoping to Add More Players
Detroit did its heavy lifting before the draft, acquiring goalie John Gibson, as a goalie was a major need.
In free agency, the Red Wings signed more depth players like James van Riemsdyk, Ian Mitchell, and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Given they haven’t made a splash, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman says he’s open to making big moves.
“It’s just been my experience over the years that things kind of work themselves out,” Yzerman said. “Opportunities arise. You try to force it or chase it, there’s too many years, too many dollars or you give up too much in a trade… Trying to be diligent, maybe patient, just wait for the right player, the right opportunity, whether it is in a trade or in free agency, to add to our lineup and use our assets wisely if we can.”
Yet, despite not making a splash, Yzerman feels like the team is better.
“Today, I think our team is a little bit more competitive,” Yzerman said. “Maybe constructed a little better than it was at this stage last year, so I’m hopeful that we take a step… Overall, I think we’re a little bit better. How many points does that translate to in the season? We’re going to find out.”
The Red Wings have just over $12 million in cap space, so Detroit has the room to add a star player.
Eberle Dealt With Serious Injury Last Season
Eberle is the Kraken captain, but he only appeared in 42 games due to an injury.
The veteran forward had surgery on his pelvis after a collision, which kept him out for months. After the collision, Eberle immediately knew something bad had happened.
“I hit the boards hard, and I just knew instantly something was wrong,” Eberle said… ” got up and skated to the bench, and as soon as I took a step, I was like, ‘Oh, I can’t walk.’ And then the athletic trainers had to help me.”
Eberle was able to return in February after missing three months due to the injury.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Trade Pitch Sees Red Wings Acquiring $9.5M Veteran Forward in 1-for-1 Deal appeared first on Heavy Sports.