The Detroit Red Wings have a clear need for a top-six forward, and the Red Wings should look to acquire a hometown star.
NHL insider and analyst Max Bultman of The Athletic urges the Red Wings to make a bold move to acquire Kyle Connor from the Winnipeg Jets. Connor is from Michigan and is entering the final year of his seven-year, $49.9 million deal.
Given that Connor isn’t signed, the Jets could look to trade him, and Bultman believes the Red Wings need to be all over him.
“After the way this past free-agent class played out, can they really afford to wait? Virtually none of the top players in the class even made it to July 1 last year,” Bultman wrote. “Who knows if that will repeat to the same degree. Or if players will eventually decide to really test what the open market could offer them, but if I’m the Red Wings, I’m probably not looking to wait and find out.
“As I mentioned above, I don’t think the Jets will be looking to panic-trade Connor this far out. But if they really can’t get a deal done and look to trade him. I think the Red Wings would need to jump the line, even with him being a hometown kid,” Bultman added. “You just can’t take the chance he gets traded somewhere else and likes it enough to stay, as happened with Brad Marchand and Mikko Rantanen this past season, and Noah Hanifin before that.”
Connor would be a bona fide star for the Red Wings and add some much-needed offense to the roster. However, it would cost quite a bit for Detroit to acquire him, even though he’s a pending free agent.
How Would Connor Fit With the Red Wings?
If Detroit does make a move for Connor, he would bolster their offense.
Connor would be Detroit’s first-line left winger, which is currently projected to be held by James van Riemsdyk. Alex DeBrincat is projected to be the second-line left winger, so he can continue to play with Patrick Kane.
Although van Riemsdyk is a good forward, at this point in his career, he’s more of a bottom-six or middle-six forward. Connor would be a pure goal scorer and add some much-needed offense, while also being a key part of the power play.
Detroit scored just 235 times last season, which ranked 22nd in the NHL. So, the Red Wings need another top goal scorer, and Connor would be just that. Connor recorded 41 goals and 56 assists for 97 points in 82 games.
Red Wings GM Open to Making Aggressive Move
Detroit has the draft picks and prospects to acquire Connor or another star player.
Connor has been linked to the Red Wings, and general manager Steve Yzerman isn’t ruling out making a big move.
“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.”
Detroit still has just under $12 million in cap space and could use another star forward.
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