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The Detroit Red Wings are looking to make a major splash ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. As the NHL takes a break for the Olympics in Italy, Detroit is currently safely in a playoff position. The young Red Wings have flourished so far this season and are looking to qualify for the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade.

While Detroit is playing well, the team does have some concerns. For instance, the Red Wings are currently 20th in the league in total offense. The team is averaging just 2.97 goals per game on the campaign. They are also averaging the same exact figure in goals allowed per matchup. While Detroit has been linked with several defenders in recent weeks, GM Steve Yzerman may be more likely to add offense in the near future.

One particular player that would be a perfect match is New York Rangers star Vincent Trocheck. The center has become the number one player on the trade board following Artemi Panarin’s move to the Los Angeles Kings. Interestingly enough, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has claimed that the Kings wanted to include Trocheck in the deal. Nevertheless, the massive move ultimately did not pan out.

Friedman also hinted at a key reason why Trocheck did not move with his now former teammate. According to the insider, the Pittsburgh native prefers to remain in the Eastern Conference. So far, Trocheck has played his entire NHL career east of the Mississippi River.

Vincent Trocheck Would be Perfect for the Detroit Red Wings

GettyVincent Trocheck is expected to be traded in the coming weeks.

News that Trocheck wants to stay in the East will certainly make Yzerman perk up a bit. As Friedman also points out, the Red Wings previously “went hard” at signing the star center when he was a free agent in 2022. Trocheck, however, ultimately opted to join the Rangers in a seven-year, $39.3 million ($5.6 million AAV) contract.

Although he previously spurned Detroit, the situation is significantly different now. The Red Wings were a lottery team when Trocheck was a free agent. He may have very well not wanted to go to a team sitting in the middle of the pack of the Eastern Conference. Fast forward to the present time, and the Rangers are flailing while Detroit is on the up.

Trocheck may just be the perfect trade target for Yzerman and the Red Wings. For starters, center is a positional need for the club. The exec also prefers not to acquire rentals, and Trocheck is under contract for another three seasons. On top of this, Detroit has plenty of money and can easily afford the star’s reasonable salary.

Detroit Would Have to Include High Draft Pick, Prospects in Deal

While the Red Wings would love to acquire Trocheck, they will have to make a substantial offer to the Rangers. New York may have had no leverage in the Panarin situation, but they do with the veteran center. Detroit will almost certainly have to include a first-round pick in a potential trade.

On top of the draft selection, they will have to add in a couple of prospects. It has been widely reported that the Rangers are looking for young talent in any deals they make. Michael DeRosa recently included Detroit phenoms Amadeus Lombardi and William Wallinder in his recent mock trade involving Trocheck. The highly-rated duo both currently feature with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.

Christopher Moore Christopher Moore has been a Heavy.com contributor since 2025. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he has published thousands of articles reporting on multiple professional sports. He was previously a sports writer for World Soccer Talk, the Yahoo! Contributor Network, and the Maryland Sports Blog. More about Christopher Moore

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