- According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Lucas Raymond took part in his first practice today since getting injured earlier this month. The young forward wasn’t part of line rushes, so likely won’t return tomorrow, but he should be back soon to continue his sophomore season. Raymond has 15 goals and 33 points through 50 games, and will be coming back to a Detroit Red Wings group that is suddenly in the thick of a playoff race.
Red Wings Rumors
Dylan Larkin Avoids Suspension, Earns Fine
The Detroit Red Wings will escape Washington with two points and their captain’s availability intact. Dylan Larkin has avoided a suspension and was instead given a $5,000 fine—the maximum allowable under the CBA—for his cross-check on T.J. Oshie last night.
Larkin was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for the play, which happened partway through the first period. Missing more than two periods likely impacted the decision, though the Red Wings were still able to fight off the Capitals for a 3-1 win, thanks to two unassisted goals from Pius Suter.
Whether intentional or not, Larkin delivered a forceful blow directly to the face of Oshie as he tried to slow him down coming out of the zone. He is rather fortunate to escape without at least a one-game ban, especially given the important match tomorrow against the New York Rangers.
Detroit is in a race for one of the wildcard positions in the Eastern Conference and sit just two games behind the Florida Panthers with four games in hand. If they can continue their recent hot streak—the Red Wings are winners of seven of their last ten—they have a chance of making the playoffs this season. Larkin, with 56 points in 55 games, is a big part of that.
The incident ended a pretty significant streak, too. Larkin had scored seven goals and 13 points over a seven-game point streak going into the game against Washington but had it snapped when he played just 2:54 before exiting.
Latest On Tyler Bertuzzi
While this season hasn’t entirely gone to plan for Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi, as a pending unrestricted free agent he was expected to be a top player on the forward market this trade deadline season. Now, with Detroit well within the playoff hunt, it seems trade conversations regarding Bertuzzi have halted. On the 32 Thoughts segment of last night’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that there is a growing belief that as long as the Red Wings remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, Bertuzzi is “not available” for trade.
Bertuzzi’s season thus far has not been entirely impressive (he’s struggled to stay healthy and has scored 12 points in 24 games) but it was just one year ago that he scored 30 goals and 62 points in just 68 games for Detroit. If interested clubs believe that the Bertuzzi of last season is a more accurate reflection of his talent than what he has put forth this year, it is no surprise that he would garner trade interest. Forwards who can score while also playing with an edge to their game are highly coveted, so it stands to reason that Detroit could expect a solid return package if Bertuzzi were dealt. But since the Red Wings currently have a chance to stop their playoff drought from stretching to seven seasons in length, it seems they’d prefer to keep their homegrown winger.
Detroit Red Wings Extend Olli Maatta
The Detroit Red Wings won’t be flipping Olli Maatta anywhere at the trade deadline. The defenseman has signed a two-year contract extension worth a total of $6MM ($3MM AAV) that will keep him in Detroit through the 2024-25 season.
Maatta, 28, was scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency this summer after signing a one-year, $2.25MM contract with Detroit last July. His play this season has still left something to be desired but has been good enough to earn himself a more extended stay.
Playing just over 18 minutes a night, Maatta has 17 points in 49 games. At even strength, the vast majority of that time has been spent next to Filip Hronek, a pairing that has actually had outstanding results, even if the process looks shaky at times. With both players on the ice, Detroit has outscored opponents 29-12 despite rather pedestrian possession numbers.
For whatever reason, it has tilted the ice in Detroit’s favor, something they will try to continue to do over the next two seasons.
It also removes a potential target from trade speculation, as teams were likely considering Maatta as a depth addition, He does have quite a bit of playoff experience and won two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Given how many other contracts are expiring on the Detroit roster, it makes sense that the front office will be trying to keep some of them. The deadline for the Red Wings could still be an explosive one, especially if Dylan Larkin ends up on the market.
Detroit Red Wings Place Lucas Raymond On IR, Recall Jakub Vrana
After he missed the last two games, the Detroit Red Wings placed forward Lucas Raymond on injured reserve today, retroactive to February 10. The team announced that Jakub Vrana has been recalled from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins to replace Raymond’s roster spot.
It’s an unfortunate absence for Raymond. Last Friday, he sustained a lower-body injury after colliding with teammate Ben Chiarot in practice. He’ll miss at least the team’s next two games, a back-to-back in Alberta against Edmonton and Calgary.
Again in a top-six role, Raymond has 15 goals, 18 assists, and 33 points in 50 games with Detroit. He’d yet to miss a game in his young NHL career until last weekend’s absence.
For Vrana, it’s been a long road back to the NHL since entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program last October. He was out of action for two months until returning to Red Wings practice in mid-December, but he hasn’t played a game for Detroit since then. The team assigned him a conditioning stint to Grand Rapids days later, where he’s remained since, clearing waivers in the process.
Vrana ended up suiting up 17 times for Grand Rapids, recording six goals and five assists for 11 points. It’s not the type of production you’d like to see in the minors from a player who’s been a bona fide top-six winger over the past three seasons. But the reported deteriorating relationship between Vrana and the Red Wings might need to be considered as a factor.
With this year and next left on a contract paying him $5.25MM per season, this could be a showcase move for Vrana. He does have some trade value, especially if Detroit retains salary, and especially if he can put up some points in his return to the lineup. The 26-year-old has been on pace for at least 20 goals in four consecutive seasons, although injuries and COVID have hampered his numbers since 2020.
Latest On Tyler Bertuzzi
As we inch closer to the March 3rd trade deadline, trade winds across the league are beginning to pick up. The 32 Thoughts segment of yesterday’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast offered quite a few updates on notable trade situations across the NHL, including that of Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who is a pending unrestricted free agent. Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek noted that brief extension talks between the Red Wings and Bertuzzi “didn’t go anywhere,” leaving it more likely that he is dealt before the deadline.
Marek reported that the Red Wings are expected to set a high price for Bertuzzi, who scored 62 points in 68 games last season and plays the sort of rugged, physical game many teams covet. Marek called the price “something substantial” in his report. Teams such as the Dallas Stars, who are reportedly seeking a player to play next to Tyler Seguin on a more regular basis, Edmonton Oilers, and Tampa Bay Lightning were all linked by Marek as teams holding varying degrees of interest in acquiring the talented Red Wings forward.
Lucas Raymond Day-To-Day With Lower-Body Injury
- Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond is absent from today’s game against the Vancouver Canucks with a lower-body injury, ending his 132-game iron man streak. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press notes that Raymond suffered the injury in a collision with teammate Ben Chiarot yesterday during practice. Raymond’s status is day-to-day. The sophomore forward has 15 goals and 33 points in 50 games this season.
PHR Mailbag: Dylan Larkin Edition
With Bo Horvat off the market now following his trade (and subsequent extension), the intrigue surrounding Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has started to pick up. To that end, there were a few questions about him in our latest mailbag callout. Rather than squeeze answers these into yesterday’s column, let’s assess Larkin’s specific situation here instead. The rest of the mailbag will run next weekend as usual.
joebad34: With Dylan Larkin having difficulties getting a new contract from Detroit, is he now on the trading block? What would be the asking price? Would the Sabres sending, #1, Mittelstadt, Olofsson, Krebs and the rights to Portillo or Johnson work, if the Sabres and Larkin agree to a deal?
So, let’s look at where things stand first. It was reported latest last month that Larkin’s camp rejected an eight-year, $64MM extension. At first glance, it could be inferred that he’s likely to be traded, especially since that offer represented a notable increase on his current $6.1MM AAV. Not so fast. Larkin told reporters (including ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski) earlier this week that he still sees himself as a Red Wing long-term and reiterated his hope to stay with his hometown team.
With that in mind, I would suggest that right now, he’s not on the trade block. While I’m among the many that are stunned that an extension isn’t done yet, a month is still a fairly long time to get something done. At this point, there’s no immediate rush to start soliciting offers; Plan A is still getting a deal signed. Until things get to the point where an extension for sure isn’t getting done, I expect GM Steve Yzerman’s sole focus will be on the contract, not a trade.
Now, as to this trade proposal, you have too much going back. Three players, a prospect, and a first-rounder is too much even with the expected premium that would be associated with doing a sign-and-trade. I also wonder how much value the prospects have. If Ryan Johnson’s heart is set on testing free agency this summer, how useful is he to Detroit, aside from the compensatory late second-round pick? It’s a similar question for Erik Portillo who doesn’t have the compensatory pick option and frankly, the Red Wings are hoping Sebastian Cossa is their goalie of the future even with his first pro season not going the smoothest.
Out of the other pieces, I think a combo of Peyton Krebs, the first-round pick, and Casey Mittelstadt would be of interest to Detroit; I don’t sense Victor Olofsson would be the type of player Detroit would be willing to take on. Is that enough for an extended Larkin? I would say no but as a pure rental, that type of offer might get them in the mix if Detroit does wind up moving him and Buffalo decides to try to make a trade splash.
tigers22 2: What would possible packages be for Larkin and Bertuzzi if the Red Wings aren’t able to get new contracts with them done and decide to deal them?
The Horvat trade provides a pretty good idea of what Larkin’s trade market should be. They’re in the same tier talent-wise (I know Horvat’s having a big year offensively but historically, they’re comparable), on somewhat close contracts, and are seeking a pretty big raise. Horvat (with 25% retention) yielded a cap matcher (Anthony Beauvillier), a protected first-round pick, and a good prospect in Aatu Raty. Larkin’s numbers aren’t as good but if Detroit was willing to retain 50% instead of the 25% Vancouver retained, that would help even out the difference. There are too many teams to break down the same type of offer from but that would be a reasonable framework.
Then there’s Tyler Bertuzzi, a player whose value has probably taken a beating this season. A year ago, he produced like a top-line winger. This year, he can’t stay healthy and has just one goal in 17 games. If you’re Detroit, you’re hyping last season’s numbers. If you’re another team, you’re pointing at how poorly things have gone this season and are offering accordingly. With 50% retention, I could see a team going as high a second-round pick if they think he can rebound and perhaps fit beyond this season. I don’t expect there to be much more of a package than that though unless the acquiring team needs to send some money back.
Johnny Z: What do you think of Larkin being traded to Boston? A Horvat-type return would be DeBrusk, Brett Harrison, and a 23 1st for Larkin at 1/2 salary. Does that sound about right?
I really like the idea of Larkin to Boston in theory (again, this assumes an extension doesn’t get done). Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci aren’t going to be around much longer and at some point, he’s going to need to be replaced. Internally, their options are basically moving Pavel Zacha back down the middle and Charlie Coyle. They’re both good players but neither of them are top centers. Getting and extending Larkin would be a great outcome but fitting him and a re-signed David Pastrnak in could be tricky.
I’m not quite as bullish on the idea of him being a rental player. Yes, this is a go-for-broke type of season but is an acquisition that pushes Krejci to the third line the right move to make? If it’s a pure rental, I think a top-four defender might be the better way to go to work as injury insurance and really deepen that part of their lineup. They’re the top-scoring team and the top defensive team so either way, it’s adding to an organizational strength but I think the back end is the thinner part to address. Don’t get me wrong, Larkin as a rental would certainly help as well but it might not be the most optimal spot to address for a short-term upgrade.
As for the offer, I’m not sure Jake DeBrusk is someone that Boston wants to part with right now. He’s at a considerably higher level than Beauvillier, a player some have suggested that the Isles were open to moving in the past just to get him off the books let alone for a return of quality. That’s a sunk cost whereas DeBrusk is in the middle of a career year. Mike Reilly is more of a salary ballast type of player.
Now, with Boston’s pick set to be considerably lower than New York’s, that prospect needs to be better than Raty. I’m not sure Brett Harrison is, at least to a big enough extent. I could see Detroit wanting Fabian Lysell here, especially if it’s a sign-and-trade while Mason Lohrei could be the difference-splitter as someone that could conceivably push for a spot with Detroit as soon as next season. Is that an offer that would vault them to the top? Perhaps not but it’d be high enough to have them legitimately in the bidding should the Red Wings get to that point if discussions on an extension with Larkin fall apart.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Filip Zadina Activated, Sent On Conditioning Stint
02/05/23: With Adam Erne clearing waivers today, the Red Wings have recalled Zadina from his conditioning stint. He’ll be eligible to play in the Red Wings’ next game, which is Tuesday versus the Edmonton Oilers.
02/02/23: The Detroit Red Wings are on break, meaning Filip Zadina is going to get a bit of extra time to prepare for his return. The team activated the young forward today and loaned him to the Grand Rapids Griffins on a conditioning stint.
The loan can last up to two weeks, meaning Zadina can potentially play in five games before returning to the Red Wings.
Last appearing in a game on November 5, Zadina has been out for close to three months after blocking a shot against the New York Islanders. That means he’s only played nine games so far this year and has no points to show for it.
It’s been a tough career so far for the sixth-overall pick, with just 25 goals and 61 points in 169 games. Flashes of potential have come and gone without much consistent play at the NHL level. Last season he set career highs with ten goals and 24 points in 74 games, but those totals pale in comparison to the huge expectations he had coming out of junior.
Perhaps this latest injury gave him some time to readjust some things in his game and he’ll come back stronger, especially with the confidence that the Red Wings put in him last summer. Zadina signed a three-year deal that carries a $1.825MM cap hit in August.
Adam Erne Clears Waivers
02/05/23: Erne has cleared waivers, according to CapFriendly. He’ll now be able to head to AHL Grand Rapids to continue his season.
02/04/23: While the Red Wings are off until Tuesday, they have made a roster move today as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that they’ve placed winger Adam Erne on waivers.
The 27-year-old has played in 43 games with Detroit so far this season, picking up six goals and eight assists while logging just shy of 14 minutes a night. Those numbers are actually better than a year ago on a per-game basis while he has a chance of setting a career high in points if he stays in the NHL and produces at a similar pace the rest of the way. Erne also has recorded 122 hits; his 2.84 per game average is a career best.
With that in mind, it might be a bit surprising to see him on waivers. However, it’s not the riskiest of moves for GM Steve Yzerman as Erne carries a $2.1MM cap hit while he’s eligible for unrestricted free agency for the first time this summer. While Erne would fit on quite a few teams in terms of roster needs, not many of them have enough cap room to try to add him. Filip Zadina is currently on a conditioning loan with AHL Grand Rapids and it’s possible that he’d come back to take Erne’s place in the lineup.
Assuming he clears on Sunday, Erne would be the third veteran Red Wing to be buried in the minors in recent weeks. Jakub Vrana cleared waivers a month ago today while Alex Nedeljkovic was unclaimed two weeks later. Even with those players in the AHL where they still mostly count against Detroit’s salary cap, they project to finish the season with more than $6.5MM in cap space, per CapFriendly so it’s safe to say these moves aren’t cap-related. The Red Wings have some good depth and as their team gets healthier, the roster crunch is starting to be felt. Erne appears to be the next casualty of that.