The Detroit Red Wings are trying to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again. It’s been nearly an entire decade since Detroit last skated in the postseason. However, they have come close in recent seasons. And this could be a make or break campaign in their rebuild.
For the first time under Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings took a step back last season. If it weren’t for a midseason coaching change, it could’ve been worse. However, thanks in part to new head coach Todd McLellan, Detroit dropped from 91 points to 86 points in 2024-25.
Detroit has not made a major splash move this summer. Their most significant move was acquiring goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. Beyond that trade, Detroit signed Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic, James van Riemsdyk, and Mason Appleton.
This team still has room to make moves, though. And there are some intirguing opportunities they could pursue on the trade market. Given how NHL Free Agency looks, their best chance at making a move comes on the trade market, as well.
With all this in mind, Heavy.com is proposing the following trade between the Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche:
Detroit Red Wings acquire: Ross Colton
Colorado Avalanche acquire: Michael Rasmussen
Ross Colton Could Provide Better Scoring For Red Wings
Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesRoss Colton could rediscover his scoring touch with the Detroit Red Wings.
One of the major areas of need for Detroit this summer was scoring depth. Detroit did need a top-six forward, which they have yet to add. However, they also needed to find goals down the lineup to help support the stars at the top.
Colton could certainly provide these goals. He has a 20+ goal season under his belt, scoring 22 goals in his first full season with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021-22. Since then, he has consistently scored 16 or 17 goals a season.
Another aspect Detroit can appreciate is his Stanley Cup pedigree. He won the Cup with the Lightning in 2021, when Tampa defeated the Montreal Canadiens. Moreover, he made another Stanley Cup Final in 2022. Ironically, they lost to the Avalanche that season.
Finally, Detroit can stand to benefit from his physical presence. He has recorded at least 140 hits in each of the last four seasons. Moreover, he has recorded at least 145 hits in three of the last four campaigns. Overall, he checks a lot of important boxes for the Red Wings.
Avalanche Shed Salary, Get Younger With Trade Proposal
The Avalanche are trying to win the Stanley Cup once again. As a result, trading a player like Colton is a bit difficult. However, there is some logic to the move.
Rasmussen is a very similar player to Colton. He doesn’t have the same scoring touch as Colton. But he can still score goals, having reached 10+ goals in each of the last four seasons. Moreover, he is a physical presence who is more of a shot blocker, as well.
The former first-round pick does all of this while making less than Colton, as well. He is signed for an extra year, but given that he’s two years younger than Colton, Colorado can work with that.
The Avalanche certainly won’t trade a player like Colton for nothing. However, this proposed trade gives them some added salary flexibility. And they take a chance that his offense can develop a bit more within the next few seasons.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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