The Detroit Red Wings are aiming for a playoff position, and one trade suggestion involves bringing in a seasoned forward who has previously scored 30 goals.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, which allows users to craft their own trade scenarios, one user proposed a deal that would send Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers to the Red Wings.
Red Wings acquire:
Evander Kane
Oilers acquire:
Jonatan Berggren
This proposed trade is a straight swap that could benefit both teams. Detroit gains a seasoned forward to support their young talent, while Edmonton receives some salary cap relief and adds a depth forward to their lineup.
Kane is beginning the third year of his four-year, $ 20.5 million contract, but he’s currently dealing with an injury that might keep him sidelined for the entire season. However, Detroit could place him on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), meaning his cap hit wouldn’t count against their budget, and if the Red Wings make the playoffs, he could potentially return then.
As a former 30-goal scorer, Kane could provide a significant offensive boost for the Red Wings during the 2025-26 NHL season, with Detroit essentially acquiring him for just one year.
On the other hand, Berggren is a restricted free agent who hasn’t yet signed with Detroit. The Swedish player was picked 33rd overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, but he hasn’t made a substantial impact in the NHL yet. He has played just 79 games, tallying 17 goals and 17 assists for a total of 34 points, but he could serve as a third or fourth-line forward for Edmonton, which has lost some depth players this offseason.
Kane Could Undergo Surgery
Kane has been playing with a sports hernia injury throughout much of the 2023-24 NHL season and is now considering surgery to address it.
If he opts for surgery, it’s likely that his 2024-25 NHL season would be cut short. However, Oilers general manager Stan Bowman mentioned that Kane has not yet made a decision about his next steps.
“I don’t have any input on that, nor should I,” Bowman told reporters on August 20. “What’s most important is supporting Evander in his journey to recovery. With any injury, there are several options: treatment, rehabilitation, and time for healing, which can lead to a player getting back on the ice.
“In some cases, surgery is immediately necessary when it’s clear that it’s the only option. Other injuries, however, aren’t as straightforward, and players have multiple paths forward. That decision is up to him, and we’re committed to supporting Evander in that process. I think we’re currently in that more nuanced situation,” Bowman added.
At 33 years old, Kane has played 930 games, accumulating 326 goals and 291 assists for a total of 617 points. Last season with the Oilers, he participated in 77 games, scoring 24 goals and providing 20 assists for 44 points.
Analyst Says Red Wings Fans Shouldn’t Panic on Key RFAs Not Being Signed
Detroit has two standout players, Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, who are restricted free agents and have not yet signed.
As two of Detroit’s top talents and among the NHL’s best young players, their unsigned status raises some concerns with training camps approaching. However, NHL analyst Max Bultman from The Athletic believes that Red Wings fans shouldn’t panic just yet.
“I don’t think it’s time to worry before camp kicks off. However, it is reasonable to be concerned about how this might impact the team’s performance and potentially the locker room dynamics. Missing those two key players when camp starts would be significant,” Bultman stated. “That said, I believe both players will sign contracts, and if it happens before training camp, any potential tensions will likely be quickly resolved.”
Detroit’s 2024-25 NHL season will begin at home on October 10 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Leave a Reply