The Detroit Red Wings are expected to explore the trade market to add more depth to the roster, and one trade idea has them acquiring a gritty forward.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Red Wings acquire Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators in an intriguing move.
Red Wings acquire:
Predators acquire:
- Andrew Copp
- 2026 third-round pick
The proposed deal would see Detroit get a young, gritty forward in Bunting in exchange for an NHL forward and a draft pick, as the Red Wings have to add the pick for Nashville to take on Copp’s salary.
Detroit would acquire Bunting to be a good middle-six forward who adds some physicality and offense to the lineup. Bunting is in the final year of his three-year, $13.5 million deal. The winger can play on both sides, which gives Todd McLellan some flexibility with his lineup. Bunting recorded 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points in 76 games last season.
In return, Detroit would give up a third-round pick, which is a sweetener for Nashville to take on Copp’s contract. Copp has two years left on his five-year, $28.125 million deal as he’s owed $5.625 million each year for the next two seasons. Copp dealt with injuries last season, and the Red Wings can’t bank on him being healthy enough to produce next season. He recorded 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 56 games.
Red Wings Could Pull off a Trade to Improve Team
Detroit made more depth signings in free agency, and general manager Steve Yzerman is now looking at the trade market.
After not landing any of the big names, Yzerman says he’s looking at the trade market to add more talent to the roster.
“Anybody can go and look at the list of the potential free agents and see there aren’t that many guys you would think will have an impact,” Yzerman said. “There are very few this year, for whatever reason…
“It’s just there aren’t a lot of options right now,” Yzerman added. “Everybody wants, the teams I’m talking to, they want players. Just like we want players. What do we have to offer? I don’t want to trade our core players. You’re looking to add to your team, (using) future assets for that. Right now teams are all looking to add players to their teams. Kind of the same thing we’re trying to do.”
Detroit hasn’t made the playoffs in nine years. So, Yzerman is looking to continue to build his roster and compete for a playoff spot next season.
Red Wings GM Believes Team is Better
Detroit’s big move of the offseason was acquiring John Gibson to be the team’s starting goalie.
But, the Red Wings also signed forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appelton, as well as defenseman Ian Mitchell and Jacob Bernard-Docker, to add more talent to the roster. After the moves, Yzerman feels like the Red Wings are a better team.
“Today, I think our team is a little bit more competitive,” Yzerman said on July 3. “Maybe constructed a little better than it was at this stage last year, so I’m hopeful that we take a step…Overall, I think we’re a little bit better. How many points does that translate to in the season? We’re going to find out.”
The Red Wings still have over $12 million in cap space.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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