The Detroit Red Wings need to find their way back to Stanley Cup contention. Fans of Original Six teams can grow impatient. The Red Wings could add a top defender to give their blueline a boost, but offense is the more glaring need.
In a podcast appearance on Monday, August 11th, Red Wings beat writer Max Bultman spoke at length about how to ‘fix the Red Wings.’
Together with the host of The Athletic Hockey Show, Sean McIndoe, they discussed the biggest need the organization faces heading into the new hockey season. They also discussed how Jason Robertson, Kyle Connor, and Bryan Rust could be candidates to help the Red Wings achieve their short-term goals.
“There’s a glaring hole on the top line left wing next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond,” Bultman said to the host. “In terms of what players fit the bill, I don’t know that the names out there are slam-dunk fits.”
The Red Wings ranked 22nd in the NHL with 235 goals scored during the 2024-25 regular season.
Red Wings “Pie-in-the-Sky” Trade Targets
Robertson and Connor were named as the “two pie-in-the-sky” targets to improve the Red Wings’ offense.
“One (pie-in-the-sky target) is Jason Robertson,” Bultman said to McIndoe. “I’m not going to spend too much time on him because I kind of don’t see it happening. In the end, he just makes too much sense to stay in Dallas.”
Robertson is a 6-foot-3, 207 lb forward who was drafted 39th overall in 2017 by the Dallas Stars. The 26-year-old recorded 35 goals and 45 assists in 80 games this past year while averaging 17:48 per game.
Bultman appeared more optimistic about the Red Wings’ chances of landing Connor. He listed a few reasons for believing that the Red Wings must pursue him if he becomes available.
“The other is Kyle Connor, as we talk about guys with Michigan roots,” Bultman continued. “Kyle Connor is going into the last year of his contract in Winnipeg. I don’t have any reason to believe that Kyle Connor wants out of Winnipeg. But the history is such that I don’t think we should just dismiss the idea that he won’t extend there.”
“And if that’s the case…I think you have to jump the line and make an aggressive trade to go get him. He’s the exact same timeline as Larkin and DeBrincat, he’s the exact kind of superstar player that they haven’t really found.”
Connor was drafted 17th overall in 2015 by the Winnipeg Jets. The 6-foot-1, 183 lb sniper recorded 41 goals and 56 assists in 82 games last year. The 28-year-old winger is in the final year of a seven-year contract paying him $7,142,857 million.
Red Wings’ Most Attainable Trade Target
Finally, Bultman expressed who he believes is the most realistic trade target for the Red Wings, Rust of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also explains that the acquisition cost needs to make sense for the team.
“Do you really want to give up a top, top prospect for a guy who’s into his 30s like Bryan Rust is?” Bultman asked the host. “I don’t know that I would, but I think it’s a name to watch because he’s got Michigan roots…He’s the exact style of player they need; he can score goals, but he’s still gritty. He can be in the fight with guys, he’s been a playoff-type.”
“Wouldn’t shock me, and I wouldn’t hate a move like that at the right price.”
What price would be acceptable for the Red Wings to acquire a two-time Stanley Cup Champion? What price do you put on a 33-year-old, 31-goal scorer?
Is a package of a second-round pick and a top prospect like Carter Mazur or Amadeus Lombardi enough to land Rust’s talents? Only time will tell.
The Red Wings currently have around $12 million in salary cap space.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Red Wings Insider Names 3 Targets to Fill Biggest Need appeared first on Heavy Sports.