Well, it’s that point in the offseason. Unfortunately, my content plan wasn’t as deep as I gave it credit for. I intended to save the mock trades and more speculation-based pieces for the real doldrums of the offseason, but alas, here we are.
I’ve spent a lot of time going back and forth on whether Detroit has the right mix of assets to be able to acquire a big fish, especially in a market as competitive as this one is. Honestly, I’ve begun landing on yes. All the credit for that belongs to the Red Wings prospects for taking serious leaps. Thanks to Max Plante, Trey Augustine, Michal Postava, and Anton Johansson all spiking their trade value, Detroit can put together some pretty solid packages without even dipping into the former first-rounders. For the first time in a while, it seems like the sellers are going to be looking for the kinds of assets Detroit has to offer.
So between a mix of reports and speculation, I’ve put together a handful of elite names that the Red Wings should be pushing the chips in on if they are truly available.
Matthew Knies
Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies | Photo: NHLPA
I heavily debated putting William Nylander on here, but he made his stance on leaving Toronto very clear earlier this week. While I do think Nylander is the far better player, Matthew Knies is still very much a star player and well worth the Red Wings calling in on.
The reason for this comes from an odd report that came out of the Maple Leafs organization stating they’re only closed off to moving Auston Matthews. If true, it means the Maple Leafs would be open to a deal for their 23-year-old, 6’3″, 66-point power forward who would solve a lot of the Red Wings’ flaws in the top six.
The top of the lineup for the Red Wings has a serious lack of size and speed. While Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane are all incredibly valuable to this team, they can get pushed around pretty easily. That’s not the case with Matthew Knies. Obviously, the big frame alone is a factor. But Knies couples that with a bit of a mean streak that not only deters other teams from targeting Detroit’s stars, but also does some head-hunting for the Wings. Pair that with some pretty solid speed, and that alone makes Knies a fit, but the package also comes with some really solid offensive production.
The past two seasons, Knies has recorded over 60 points in each while still being under 24. He’s a bolt-on 20-goal guy who generates plenty of offense from the net-front, a place where Detroit lacks a true producer. Matthew Knies’ heat chart on moneypuck.com shows just how good he is at creating goals from out front, which complements the shot-heavy Red Wings forward group.
Knies has the size, the speed, and the offensive production that fits the exact profile the Red Wings need alongside Larkin and Raymond. Pair that with his age being on the younger end of the Seider and Raymond window while being locked up to a contract under $8,000,000, and Knies becomes a perfect target for the Red Wings.
The sticker shock would certainly be there, but if the Maple Leafs are looking for a soft retool, Detroit could certainly help them out. From high upside prospects like Plante and Bear to safer prospects like Danielson and Cossa, the Maple Leafs could get the injection of youth and talent needed to take a run with a core led by Gavin McKenna.
Matvei Michkov
Flyers star forward Matvei Michkov | AP Photo/Matt Slocum
I think it would be an awful move if the Flyers decided to move on from Matvei Michkov, but the rumors about their issues with the young forward have been present for a while now. Flyers coach Rick Tocchet and Michkov have reportedly bumped heads multiple times since training camp. Now with the emergence of Porter Martone as a franchise cornerstone, the Flyers may look for talent that fits their system rather than the best player available.
Michkov has the potential to be a true superstar in this league. With limited ice time and pretty mediocre line mates the Russian forward has still been able to produce at an elite clip despite only being 21, and in his second NHL season. He doesn’t fit the mold for top-line left wing the same way Matthew Knies does, but the offensive talent is undeniable.
Even playing alongside pretty mediocre line mates this season, his points/ per 60 was 2.55. In his rookie season playing with some more legitimate talent, it was 2.83. Both of which would finish as the 5th-highest total on the Red Wings. In Detroit, Michkov would get more minutes with better players and more run on the power play, where he only recorded 12 points this past season.
The question with Michkov largely comes with the off-ice drama. During the draft, he made it clear Philly was on a short list of teams he was interested in playing for; what’s to say he simply doesn’t want to play in Detroit? Michkov also showed up to training camp out of shape and had his aforementioned disagreements with the Flyers coaching staff. The talent is there, but it’s a legitimate question if Detroit would be able to unlock it.
A trade would likely center around Sebastian Cossa, another highly-touted young player, as well as at least one of Detroit’s other big prospects. I’d imagine Philly would like one of Carter Bear or Marco Kasper to go back the other way in a deal. If the price is reasonable and Michkov is willing to invest in Detroit, it is both a boost now and in the future.
Nico Hischier
Devils captain Nico Hischier | IMAGO/Imagn Images
I backed off on the Hischier talk for a while because I hadn’t heard anything on that front suggesting Hischier may actually be available. But where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and the news around Hischier is starting to move away from just being rumors.
There are genuine questions about Hischier and his future in New Jersey. If New Jersey can’t get an extension done, I’d imagine they’d be strongly motivated to move him early, especially given how keen star players have been to re-sign with their teams in the past few offseasons.
The obvious question is money. What does Hischier want? New Jersey is strapped for cash and only feeling more pressure as Simon Nemec and Arseny Gritsyuk both need new deals, and New Jersey only has $10.9M to work with. On top of that, they also need to improve a Devils team that was unable to make the playoffs in a weak Metro Division.
Hischier is no doubt the right option for second-line center. Both Nico Hischier and Dylan Larkin offer similar skill sets and would be one of the better one-two punches down the middle in the NHL. I think the Red Wings would be ready to make a deal to acquire Hischier for NHL-ready talent on ELC’s, helping New Jersey to get some cap relief. The only question is whether Hischier would be willing to stick around.
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