The Detroit Red Wings have had a brutal stretch — arguably the worst organizational turbulence in the league over the last few months. Their captain, Dylan Larkin, requested a trade and was stripped of the “C.” Steve Yzerman was quietly moved into a Senior Advisor role. Their GM search dragged through the entire offseason, with their preferred candidate backing out. Only two weeks before opening night, Detroit named Shawn Horcoff the interim GM, and nobody seems entirely sure what authority he actually has.

Then came the Simon Edvinsson fiasco.

Edvinsson spent the summer trying to negotiate a new deal, but with no GM in place, there was nobody to negotiate with. He arrived at camp without a contract, left without one, and has since returned to Sweden to continue skating. Reports dropped that he now prefers a trade out of Detroit rather than signing long‑term.

With Larkin and Edvinsson both wanting out, Detroit may have no choice but to embrace a full rebuild — and Lucas Raymond could be the next piece to fall.

Why Detroit Would Trade Raymond

Lucas Raymond is the kind of name that instantly shakes up the league. A right‑shot winger, 24 years old, already producing like a star: 76, 80, and 72 points in his last three seasons. He’s locked in for six more years at a very team‑friendly $8.075M AAV — a bargain in today’s exploding contract landscape.

Detroit doesn’t want to trade him. But they might be forced into it.

The Edvinsson situation hasn’t sat well with the Swedish players, and Raymond is reportedly frustrated with management and the overall direction of the team. With the captain and the top left‑shot defender both asking out, Raymond may not want to stick around for whatever this becomes.

Trading him now keeps his value at its peak and accelerates a rebuild that suddenly feels unavoidable.

Why The Oilers Make Sense

Edmonton is exactly the type of team that should be all over this.

They need another legitimate top‑six scoring threat. Their early‑season injuries have exposed their lack of right‑wing depth, and their core isn’t getting younger. Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent‑Hopkins will eventually age out of top‑six roles, and the Oilers need long‑term replacements who can grow with McDavid and Draisaitl.

Raymond fits perfectly.

The Oilers have movable assets, future picks, and the cap flexibility (once healthy) to absorb Raymond’s deal. Detroit would gladly take picks in years where Connor McDavid might not be in Edmonton — those could be premium assets.

Raymond would instantly stabilize the right side, allowing Draisaitl to return to centre full‑time and giving Edmonton a top‑six that finally looks complete.

The Offer

Red Wings Receive:

Isaac Howard

Spencer Stastney

Trent Frederic

2028 1st round pick

2029 1st round pick

2027 2nd round pick

Oilers Receive:

Who Says No?

Detroit gets a strong future package: a second‑round pick in the upcoming draft, followed by first‑rounders in 2028 and 2029. If McDavid leaves before 2029, that pick becomes extremely valuable.

Isaac Howard is the centerpiece. A former first‑rounder coming off an AHL All‑Star rookie season, he looks ready to explode at the NHL level. In Detroit, he’d get top‑six minutes immediately.

Trent Frederic adds reliable depth and is signed to a reasonable deal. He’s been one of Edmonton’s best depth forwards this season. Spencer Stastney gives Detroit another young defender — important if Edvinsson is moved.

For Edmonton, the payoff is massive. They get a bona fide top‑line right winger in his prime. Raymond could play with McDavid or Draisaitl and help solidify a top‑six built around Matt Savoie, Hyman, and Vasily Podkolzin. His arrival pushes Nugent‑Hopkins down the lineup and onto PP2, giving Edmonton more firepower throughout the roster.

Detroit might ask for Matt Savoie instead of one of the picks. Edmonton would listen — but the draft capital would change.

Comparable Deals

The closest comparable is Brady Tkachuk’s blockbuster to Florida: three firsts and a second. Tkachuk scores less than Raymond but brings a physical edge teams covet. He’s also three years older. Both players are signed to team‑friendly deals at nearly identical money.

Edmonton’s offer is essentially three firsts, a second, and two roster players who help Detroit now and later. It’s a big package — but other teams would absolutely be in the mix if Raymond hits the market.

Mason McTavish went for two firsts at the last draft. He’s younger and cheaper, but he doesn’t produce like Raymond. The extra value here makes sense.

Why It Works For Both Teams

Detroit gets futures, a young NHL‑ready scorer in Howard, and depth pieces to stabilize the roster. They move Raymond before a potential trade request and before any no‑trade clauses kick in. It’s a clean pivot into a rebuild that aligns with everything else happening: Larkin out, Edvinsson out, and a new GM structure.

Edmonton extends their window and adds a young star who helps keep McDavid in Edmonton. It’s an all‑in move, but one that helps immediately and long‑term. Stan Bowman has shown he can find talent outside the draft — the Oilers would need to keep doing that.

Both teams get exactly what they need. Edmonton pushes for a Cup. Detroit resets with a massive haul.

The deal works — and it might be the move that finally forces Detroit to make real changes.

Next: Oilers Trade Package for Shane Wright — Would You Accept?

Discover more from NHL Trade Talk

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.