The Detroit Red Wings could use some more secondary scoring in the lineup as their offense struggled at times last season.
Heavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Red Wings acquiring Anthony Duclair from the New York Islanders.
Red Wings acquire:
- Anthony Duclair
- 2026 fifth-round pick
Islanders acquire:
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as Detroit would acquire a speedy scoring winger and a mid-round pick for a young NHL forward who has struggled to live up to expectations with the Red Wings.
Detroit would add Duclair, who can play in the top-six and add some much-needed secondary scoring to the lineup. He’s entering the second year of a four-year, $14 million deal. Duclair and the Islanders weren’t a fit, which could make him a trade target. He recorded 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points in 44 games. His career high is 31 goals and 58 points.
The mid-round pick is for Detroit to take on his contract, but the Red Wings have plenty of cap space left.
In return, the Islanders would acquire Berggren, who would replace Duclair and add some more youth to the lineup. New York is in the midst of a rebuild, and he could play on the top line. Berggren signed a one-year, $1.825 million extension with the Red Wings. He recorded 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 75 games last season.
Duclair Feuded With Islanders
New York signed Duclair last offseason to be an impact offensive player.
However, Duclair struggled in his first year, and coach Patrick Roy took aim at him.
“He was god-awful,” Roy said on April 1. “He had a bad game. That’s why I didn’t play him a lot. He is lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him right now, but that’s just how I feel. He’s not skating, he’s not competing, he’s not moving his feet. He’s not playing up to what we expect from him… I think it’s an effort thing.”
Two days later, Duclair stepped away from the team to reflect on his future.
“Obviously you saw that Anthony was not at practice today,” Roy said. “This morning, Anthony and I had a very good conversation. A very positive one, and Anthony asked me to take some time off and reflect. So I obviously agreed to that, and we’ll give him all the time that he needs.”
Duclair has since said the Islanders are his team and he’s excited to play for them again. But, due to the feud, perhaps a trade will happen in the near future.
Red Wings GM Hints at Other Moves
Detroit has had a rather quiet offseason, but that could change.
The Red Wings have added more depth players. However, general manager Steve Yzerman says he’s open to the idea of adding another forward to add more scoring.
“I don’t want to rule out anybody coming in, having a really strong preseason and forcing us to take a longer look to see how they start at the regular season,” Yzerman said. “That’s a possibility for several players…We’ve got 12 players signed right now. Our debate is do we sign another one to have that 13th forward? Or do we leave that spot open and see if something comes up here over the summer? Or leave it open and let all those guys earn that spot?”
Duclair would fill the need of adding more offense and speed to the lineup, and he could very well be up for trade.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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