Detroit Red Wings: 5 players likely on the move at the Trade Deadline

After another dreadful year, the Detroit Red Wings are once again expected to be sellers before the April 12th NHL trade deadline.

The Detroit Red Wings are just 10-18-4 on the season accounting for a mere 24 points which places them tied with the Anaheim Ducks for second-last in the league only ahead of the Buffalo Sabres who are 6-20-4.

I, like captain Dylan Larkin can’t wait for the day the Detroit Red Wings will once again be buyers at the NHL Trade Deadline, but that still seems years away.  Recently Larkin mentioned to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press that it’s difficult to be in this position seeing his teammates and friends traded.

Sometimes deadline deals work, remember Tomas Sandstrom or Chris Chelios, sometimes deals don’t work Robert Lang or David Legwand, but just the thought of adding a player this time of year used to be exciting.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman rarely tips his hand, so we don’t know for sure what he’s considering, but it’s been suggested by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet that everyone is on the table aside from Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider.  I want to add Filip Zadina to this.

If true, things could be hectic in the days leading up to the April 12th deadline.

Here are five Detroit Red Wings likely traded before the NHL Trade Deadline.

I’d prefer to see the organization hold onto forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha and defenders Filip Hronek and Troy Stecher.  If teams call for the two forwards just mentioned, the return better be staggering.

Other than that, let’s start stacking those draft picks.

Jonathan Bernier

This one pains me to write, but it makes sense for all parties involved.  Jonathan Bernier has been one of the lone bright spots on a nightly basis for the Detroit Red Wings.  The same can be said of the veteran netminder a year ago.

Playoff-bound teams looking for a very reliable backup goaltender or, in some cases, a slight upgrade should be working the phones for the pending free agent.

Through 17 games this season, Bernier has provided the Red Wings with an overall record of 8-6 plus a stellar save percentage of .918% and a goals-against-average of 2.78.  Imagine what he could do on a good team?

In comparison, Bernier’s running-mate Thomas Greiss is 2-12-4 on the season with a 3.43 goals-against-average, and a save percentage of .885% this season.

Seeing Bernier’s success over the past two seasons understanding the Red Wings are still at rock bottom should make him a candidate to be resigned by Yzerman.

If the Red Wings can land a second or third-round pick for Bernier, plus flirt with re-signing him this summer, it’s a win-win for the organization.

Bernier is currently injured but seems to be considered day-to-day but there is plenty of time to prove he’s healthy prior to the deadline.