The Detroit Red Wings are projected to be a fringe playoff team for the 2024-25 NHL season, and a recent trade proposal could see them improve their forward depth by acquiring New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
According to PuckPedia’s new trade simulation tool, PuckGM, one user suggested a trade that would send Pageau to the Red Wings in exchange for Jonatan Berggren and Justin Holl (with $600k of Holl’s salary retained by the Islanders).
**Trade Proposal:**
– **Red Wings Receive:**
– Jean-Gabriel Pageau
– **Islanders Receive:**
– Jonatan Berggren
– Justin Holl (with $600k retained)
This proposed trade could benefit both teams. The Red Wings would gain a skilled middle-six forward in Pageau, who has two years remaining on his six-year, $30 million contract. Last season, Pageau tallied 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 82 games, and over his career, he has accumulated 145 goals and 179 assists in 718 games.
On the other hand, the Islanders would acquire Berggren, a restricted free agent (RFA) who could serve as a cost-effective replacement for Pageau. Berggren, drafted in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, scored 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in 12 games last season. Additionally, the Islanders would take on Holl’s contract, though he struggled last season with 0 goals and 5 assists in 38 games and was considered a potential buyout candidate.
**Holl’s Situation:**
Holl, entering the second year of a three-year, $10.2 million contract, faced challenges in his first season with the Red Wings and was occasionally scratched. The Red Wings chose not to buy him out this offseason to avoid a long-term dead cap hit, as detailed by NHL insider Max Bultman. Holl may be a buyout candidate in the 2025 offseason if his performance doesn’t improve.
**Red Wings’ RFA Concerns:**
As training camps approach in September, the Red Wings still need to re-sign two key RFAs: Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Both players are crucial to the team’s success. Seider, who played 82 games last season, recorded 9 goals and 33 assists for 42 points. Raymond also played a full season, scoring 31 goals and 41 assists for 72 points.
With these factors in mind, the proposed trade and ongoing contract negotiations could significantly impact the Red Wings’ roster and performance for the upcoming season.
