Pittsburgh Could Be Landing Another Major Deal Spot Of A $20 Million Defenseman with Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are off to a tough start this season, and they may look to strengthen their roster in an effort to end their playoff drought.Using the PuckGM tool on PuckPedia, a user proposed a trade that would see the Red Wings acquiring defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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

 

Skate report: Marcus Pettersson making most of expanded role on Penguins' penalty-kill

This deal would address Detroit’s struggles on defense by adding Pettersson, while Pittsburgh gets a current NHL player in Copp, a promising prospect in Wallinder, and additional draft picks to aid in a potential rebuild.Pettersson, currently in the fifth year of his five-year, $20.13 million deal, would strengthen the Red Wings’ blue line, which has been a problem for them this season. In 21 games this season, Pettersson has 1 goal and 8 assists for 9 points.

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

2023-24 Season in Review: Marcus Pettersson - PensBurgh

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.”

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