Injuries decimated the Detroit Red Wings centres, and NHL Rumours suggest they may be in the market to upgrade the position. They’re facing a crisis at the worst time of the season, right before the stretch drive of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s even more critical, given the way this team has similarly collapsed in March during recent years.

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NHL and Detroit Red Wings Rumours Hint a Potential Upgrade at Centre

Rumour: On Friday, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic listed the Red Wings as a team that could go after Robert Thomas. LeBrun wrote, “Thomas has five more years on his contract at an $8.125 million cap hit, which is very attractive to suitors because of where the salary cap and salaries for elite players continue to head. The Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth may circle back, but the playoffs also have a way of bringing other teams into the fold. Do the Detroit Red Wings feel they need to take a run at Thomas depending on how the playoffs go? The Montreal Canadiens? Boston Bruins? Los Angeles Kings?”

Analysis: Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp won’t return for at least two more weeks, and it leaves the Red Wings with J.T. Compher, Marco Kasper, Michael Rasmussen, and Sheldon Dries at centre. It also sends a message to general manager Steve Yzerman that he must upgrade the position, regardless if the Red Wings make the playoffs.

It also means finding a centre outside the organization and plugging them in, especially given the way second-year centre Marco Kasper’s season has gone. If Kasper was on pace to improve on his 37-point, 19-goal rookie season, the situation wouldn’t be as dire. But with the jury still out on Kasper, and with the Wings finding themselves in at least a Wild Card Playoff spot in the first half of March for the third year in a row, the sense of urgency needs to be at an all-time high.

Making a Run at Robert Thomas Should be the Red Wings’ Top Off-Season Priority

That includes circling back around this offseason and making a strong pitch to bring in a player like Robert Thomas for the St. Louis Blues. If the Wings end up landing a player like Thomas, they will instantly have one of the deeper groups at centre in the NHL.

For a team trying to sign as many core players as possible to long-term deals, landing Thomas in a blockbuster trade would be a massive help. His $8.125 million salary cap hit would put him in the same range as Dylan Larkin ($8.7 million) and Lucas Raymond ($8.075 million). It would also give the Wings more than enough space to extend Alex DeBrincat, who will be eligible for an extension in 2026-27.

Further, landing a team-friendly contract like Thomas’ would make life easier for Yzerman to extend defenceman Simon Edvinsson to a long-term contract this summer. Edvinsson will be a restricted free agent, and has proven to be a viable top-four defenceman with 20 points and eight goals in 56 games, 122 blocked shots, and 70 hits.

The Red Wings Have the Tools for Robert Thomas to Thrive

Robert Thomas is currently the points leader for a St. Louis Blues team that ranks 27th in scoring with 44 points and 16 goals across 49 contests. While Thomas has missed time in back-to-back seasons with injuries, and that could be a red flag, he would put his overall play into high gear with a team like the Red Wings.

Even with a bad team like the Blues, he’s recording a 21.1 shooting percentage. Imagine a player like Thomas flanking Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, should the latter decide to continue his career with the Red Wings. Even if it’s not Kane, then a youngster like Michael Brandsegg-Nygard could take the reins.

Thomas would come with a full no-trade clause, so he would need to waive it. Yzerman would also need to give up a lot to grab Thomas. For example, at least a first-round pick in 2027, potentially their 2026 second-round pick, and two high-end prospects. Prospects who could play in the NHL at some point in 2026-27 at minimum, would be the likely price. Of course, that is just a guess. Still, for a productive player signed through the 2030-31 season who will be in his age-27 season? You take them.

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