The Detroit Red Wings are hovering around the playoff cut line, but a recent trade proposal could shake things up by sending star player Alex DeBrincat to a division rival.
Using the PuckGM tool from PuckPedia, one user suggested a significant trade where the Red Wings would acquire JJ Peterka and Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for DeBrincat.
This potential deal could significantly alter both teams’ rosters. Peterka, a 22-year-old forward, is in the last year of his entry-level contract after being picked in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft.
He had an impactful season last year, scoring 28 goals and adding 22 assists for 50 points in 82 games, currently playing as a second-line winger for the Sabres.
Greenway, standing at 6 feet 6 inches, would bring physicality and grit to the Red Wings’ lineup. In the final year of his three-year, $9 million deal, he could serve as a valuable third-line forward, contributing scoring depth and size.
In exchange, DeBrincat would provide a significant offensive upgrade for Buffalo. Currently in the second year of a four-year, $31.5 million contract, he recorded 27 goals and 40 assists for 67 points last season with Detroit, making him a top-line asset for the Sabres.
**Red Wings’ Slow Start:**
Coach Derek Lalonde emphasized the need for improvement: “We’ve been a .500 team pretty much throughout the 10 games… the division hasn’t gone anywhere. I’m hoping and expecting some of that parity.”
With the Red Wings last making the playoffs in the 2015-16 season, this trade could catalyze a change in their core group and possibly ignite a playoff push.
Peterka’s Contribution to the Sabres: Peterka has been crucial for Buffalo, averaging over 20 minutes per game and playing on the top power-play unit. This season, he has recorded 4 goals and 4 assists in 9 games, showcasing his offensive capabilities. The proposed trade would enable the Sabres to acquire a star in DeBrincat, as they seek to end their playoff drought that stretches back to the 2010-11 season.
