The Detroit Red Wings are in the thick of the playoff race, and one proposed trade has them landing a star defenseman from a division rival to strengthen their blue line.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, a user suggested a blockbuster deal that would send Owen Power from the Buffalo Sabres to Detroit.
Proposed Trade:
Red Wings receive:
- Owen Power
Sabres receive:
- Ben Chiarot
- William Wallinder
- Michael Rasmussen
- 2025 first-round pick
- 2026 second-round pick
The trade would be a major move for Detroit, acquiring a former first-overall pick in exchange for three NHL players and two draft picks.
Power, the top selection in the 2021 NHL Draft, has yet to meet expectations but could benefit from a fresh start. He would be a key piece of Detroit’s top-four defensive unit and contribute offensively. So far this season, Power has recorded eight goals and 23 assists in 54 games. He is in the first year of a seven-year, $58.45 million contract.
For Buffalo, the key return would be the draft picks and Wallinder, a 22-year-old defenseman drafted in the second round in 2020. Chiarot, currently in the third year of a four-year, $19 million deal, could either slot into Buffalo’s lineup or be flipped for additional assets. Rasmussen, a former ninth-overall pick, could provide depth as a bottom-six forward. He has eight goals and seven assists in 54 games this season and is in the first year of a four-year, $12.8 million contract.
Insider Speculates on Power’s Trade Potential
Despite being a recent top draft pick and signing a long-term extension, Power has been linked to trade rumors. NHL insider Jeff Marek suggested on Sekers and Price that Buffalo could consider moving the young defenseman.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see something happen (trade-wise) with Owen Power,” Marek said on January 31.
Power currently plays on Buffalo’s second defensive pairing with Connor Clifton. Over his NHL career, he has appeared in 217 games, tallying 18 goals and 82 assists for 100 points.
Red Wings Clinging to Playoff Spot
Detroit entered the season aiming to compete for a playoff berth, and so far, they are in position to do just that.
Holding onto the final Wild Card spot, the Red Wings have a 28-22-5 record. They entered the 4 Nations Face-Off break on a strong note, winning seven of their last 10 games. Starting goaltender Cam Talbot emphasized the importance of staying sharp after the break.
“It’s a long year,” Talbot said. “This helps reset not only physically, but mentally as well. We have a few days of practice when we get back from the break, but there can’t be any kind of letdown. We have to continue to build off what we’ve built up here, but I think for the most part it’s getting healthy, resetting and coming back ready to go.”
The Red Wings resume play on February 22 against the Minnesota Wild.
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