Proposed Trade:
Red Wings acquire:
- Marcus Pettersson
- 2025 fifth-round pick (from the Rangers)
- 2025 fifth-round pick
Penguins acquire:
- Andrew Copp
- William Wallinder
- 2025 second-round pick
- 2026 second-round pick
For Detroit, the key return would be the draft picks and Wallinder, a defenseman drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Although Wallinder has yet to make his NHL debut, he could be a valuable asset for Pittsburgh.
Copp, a veteran forward in the third year of his five-year, $28.13 million deal, has 5 goals and 2 assists for 7 points in 18 games this season.
Red Wings Coach on the Hot Seat
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Despite entering the season with playoff aspirations, the Red Wings have struggled, holding a 7-9-2 record. NHL insider Darren Dreger suggested that coach Derek Lalonde could be on the verge of being fired if the team’s performance doesn’t improve soon.
“Speculatively, I would say yes,” Dreger stated on Early Trading. “I’m looking at the Detroit Red Wings… it’s definitely heating up there. If this homestand doesn’t produce results, you might see a coaching change. Teams often make these decisions around the 20-game mark, right after U.S. Thanksgiving.”
Lalonde, who has been the Red Wings’ head coach since 2022, has yet to lead the team to the playoffs.
Penguins GM Avoiding Full Rebuild
The Pittsburgh Penguins have also faced struggles this season and recently traded Lars Eller. Although the team has been rumored to be involved in further trade talks, general manager Kyle Dubas emphasized that he will not initiate a full rebuild.
“I’m a firm believer that if you throw everything overboard, you really have to be careful what you wish for, because you could go a long time before you’re back to being competitive,” Dubas said. “Our focus is on trying to bring in players as urgently as possible, using all the means at our disposal.”
