REPORTS: Trade Pitch Has Red Wings Dealing Star RFA Defensemen to Montreal

Detroit Red Wings star defenseman Moritz Seider remains an unsigned restricted free agent (RFA), and one trade proposal suggests the team could trade him.

PuckPedia’s new tool, PuckGM, allows users to create their own trades, and one user suggested a blockbuster deal that would send Seider to the Montreal Canadiens.

Red Wings would receive:

• Mike Matheson
• David Reinbacher
• Lane Hutson

Canadiens would receive:

• Moritz Seider

This proposed trade would be significant, with Montreal gaining one of the top young defensemen in the NHL, but it comes at a substantial cost.

The Red Wings would land Matheson, who has two years remaining on an eight-year, $ 39 million contract. He could immediately step in as a top-four defenseman for Detroit and might also serve as a trade asset at the deadline.

The more valuable components of the return are Reinbacher and Hutson, both highly regarded defensive prospects. Reinbacher was selected fifth overall by Montreal in the 2023 NHL Draft and could compete for NHL playing time next season.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Hutson made his NHL debut last season after being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft; he recorded 2 assists in 2 games with the Canadiens.

As for Seider, he is still unsigned and was selected sixth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old would instantly become Montreal’s top defenseman, having notched 9 goals and 33 assists for 42 points in 82 games last season. He also won the NHL’s Rookie of the Year award in 2022.

Red Wings Coach Not Worried About Seider Not Being Signed

Seider has completed his three-year, $ 2.59 million entry-level contract with the Red Wings and has been a restricted free agent (RFA) since July 1. Despite his unsigned status, Detroit’s coach, Derek Lalonde, expressed that he isn’t concerned.

“I’m not worried,” Lalonde told The Detroit Free Press. “It’s all part of the process. I’ve dealt with RFAs before, so I understand how this works.”

Another prominent player, Lucas Raymond, is also an RFA for the Red Wings. Lalonde is optimistic that deals will eventually be reached, noting that both players are crucial to the team’s roster.

“I’ve communicated with them two to three times this summer, but we don’t even discuss contracts,” Lalonde said. “That’s a matter for Steve (Yzerman) and them. For us, our focus is on progress and building the team. Clearly, those two are essential to that.”

The Red Wings missed the playoffs last season and haven’t qualified since the 2015-16 season.

Huston Could See Time in AHL

In the suggested trade, one of the main assets going to Detroit is Hutson.

Despite making his NHL debut last season, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes indicated on BPM Sports on August 27 that Hutson might play in the AHL next season.

“I don’t want to downplay Lane Hutson’s potential. We want him to become the best defenseman he can be. If he needs to enhance his skills and would benefit from playing in the AHL, we’ll send him to Laval,” Hughes stated in French (translated by DailyHive). “We’re not going to keep him in the NHL just to make him a power play specialist.”

Hutson would benefit from further development in the AHL as he adapts to the professional level.