The Detroit Red Wings are looking to be active this offseason in hopes of snapping their nine-year playoff drought.
One trade idea by Heavy.com sees the Red Wings acquire Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in a blockbuster deal.
Red Wings acquire:
Islanders acquire:
- J.T. Compher
- Jonatan Berggren
- Nate Danielson
- Max Plante
- 2025 first-round pick (13th overall)
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Detroit would acquire Dobson for two NHL players, two prospects, and the 13th overall pick. It’s a hefty price to pay, but the Red Wings are looking to boost their chances of making the playoffs.
The Red Wings would acquire Dobson, who’s a pending RFA. The 25-year-old was selected 12th overall in 2018 and can be a top-pairing defenseman for Detroit. He recorded 10 goals and 29 assists for 39 points in 71 games.
In return, Detroit would deal the 13th overall pick and Compher. Compher would be a salary dump as the Red Wings are looking to move on from him. But, with the Islanders looking to trade Pageau, Compher could replace him.
The Red Wings would also deal Berggren, who’s a pending RFA. Berggren has struggled to fit in with Detroit, and a change of scenery seems likely. He recorded 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 75 games last season.
The Islanders would also acquire Danielson, who was selected ninth overall in 2023. He projects to be a middle-six forward in the NHL. Plante, meanwhile, was selected in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft and is playing college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth.
Red Wings Need Another Top-Four Defenseman
Detroit trading for Dobson makes sense as the Red Wings have a clear need for a top-four defenseman.
The Red Wings have Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson as their only legit top-four defenseman, so Dobson would help fill a void. Detroit has Axel Sandin-Pelikka coming into the system, who can be a future top-four defenseman, but may still need another year of development.
According to Red Wings insider Bob Duff of DetroitHockeyNow, Detroit has already shown interest in Dobson.
“A trusted NHL source is suggesting that the Red Wings are looking into the possibility of acquiring Dobson from the New York Islanders,” Duff wrote.
The Islanders, meanwhile, have been shopping Dobson in the lead-up to the draft as he could command over $10 million per season on his next deal.
Dobson on Trade Bait Board
Ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency, the Islanders are shopping Dobson, according to multiple insiders.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said the Islanders are gauging the market for the star defenseman. Meanwhile, NHL insider Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff added Dobson to his trade bait board.
“Thrown right into the fire, first-time GM Mathieu Darche has a huge decision to make on Dobson. He’s got a No. 1 overall pick coming into the fold likely in defenseman Matthew Schaefer. In the meantime, does Darche buck up to pay 70-point defenseman Dobson?,” Seravalli wrote. “He’s a 23-minute per night blueliner with obvious offensive upside who fits their age scheme, but he lacks some consistency and has immense trade value. We mentioned his initial ask was $11 million per season, which will obviously come in quite lower on the next new deal … but will it be on the Island?”
Dobson has skated in 388 career games, recording 50 goals and 180 assists for 230 points.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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