The Detroit Red Wings are aiming to end their playoff drought, and one potential trade involves acquiring a star forward.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, a user suggested a blockbuster trade that would bring Him from the Minnesota Wild to the Red Wings. Kaprizov, considered one of the NHL’s elite players, would join Detroit’s top line and boost their offensive firepower. Last season, he played 75 games, scoring 46 goals and tallying 50 assists for a total of 96 points.
However, to make this trade happen, the Red Wings would need to give up a hefty package, including two first-round picks, two prospects, and two NHL players. The key pieces leaving Detroit would be first-round picks from 2023 and 2024, with prospects Nate Danielson and Michael Bradsegg-Nygard. Danielson, drafted ninth overall in 2023, is expected to make his NHL debut soon, while Bradsegg-Nygard, drafted 15th overall in 2024, is another promising talent.
Additionally, NHL player Joe Veleno, a 24-year-old forward drafted 30th overall in 2018, would be part of the deal. Last season, he recorded 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 80 games and is set to start a two-year contract worth $4.55 million. Finally, defenseman Justin Holl, who is currently playing in the AHL and has two years left on his $10.2 million contract, would round out the trade package.
Kaprizov’s Future With The Wild Is Uncertain
With two years remaining on his contract, there’s been speculation about Kirill Kaprizov’s future. While the star forward is eligible to sign an extension on July 1, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned he’s uncertain if Kaprizov wants to stay in Minnesota.
“Depending on where the Wild are, both at the trade deadline and next summer, and based on their results this season,” Friedman said on ‘32 Thoughts.’ “The fact that these conversations are happening means there will be a sort of ‘Kaprizov watch.’ Minnesota is aware of this, and they’ll need to prove they’re a team worth staying with.”
Kaprizov, who was picked 135th overall in the 2015 NHL draft, has played 278 NHL games, tallying 160 goals and 170 assists for a total of 330 points.
Red Wings Confident They Have a ‘Good Team’
Detroit narrowly missed the playoffs last season but heads into the 2024-25 campaign with high hopes of reaching the postseason.
The Red Wings haven’t qualified for the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. As this season begins, star forward Alex DeBrincat is optimistic about the team’s potential.
“When we work hard, we’re a strong team,” DeBrincat said. “There are times we drift from that, but I think we can take lessons from last year and really lock in this season. We need to stay focused every game because we can’t afford to drop any points.”
Detroit will kick off its 2024-25 NHL season at home on October 10 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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