The Detroit Red Wings have struggled this season, and one trade proposal has them making a significant move with a division rival.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, which allows users to create trade scenarios, one user suggested a deal in which the Red Wings would trade Alex DeBrincat to the Buffalo Sabres.
Proposed Trade:
Red Wings Receive:
- Dylan Cozens
Sabres Receive:
- Alex DeBrincat
This one-for-one trade would be intriguing, as Detroit would bring in a younger player, while Buffalo would acquire a more established talent. The deal could provide a much-needed change of scenery for both players and potentially energize both teams.
Detroit would gain Cozens, who is in the second year of his seven-year, $49.7 million contract. As a second-line center, Cozens could bring energy and offensive punch to the Red Wings’ lineup. He has played in 38 games this season, registering 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points.
In exchange, the Red Wings would send DeBrincat, who is in the second year of his four-year, $31.5 million deal. The high-scoring American winger would join Buffalo’s top line and add further offense to the unit. DeBrincat has 15 goals and 13 assists in 37 games this season, totaling 28 points.
Red Wings’ Struggles and GM’s Outlook
Detroit had hoped to end its playoff drought this season, but that now seems unlikely. The team recently fired head coach Derek Lalonde and hired Todd McLellan. General manager Steve Yzerman stated that the change was made because he believes the team has more potential.
“I think there’s more from our players here,” Yzerman said. “I think each and every one of these players can play better, and I guess ultimately I make the coaching change with the expectation and the hope that Todd, Trent, and a different staff will get these guys back to playing at the level that we expect them to and beyond. Time will tell if that happens.”
Yzerman also made it clear that he is not afraid to explore the trade market to improve the team.
“I’m going to do everything I can to build a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup,” Yzerman said. “I feel today we’re a long way from that.”
Currently, the Red Wings sit at 15-18-4 and are second-to-last in the Atlantic Division.
Cozens as a Trade Candidate
Despite being signed for the long term and considered a key part of the Sabres’ core, Cozens’ name has surfaced in trade discussions.
The 23-year-old forward could command a strong return if traded. According to The Athletic’s Matthew Fairburn, Cozens has been a subject of trade rumors, as he hasn’t been performing at his best this season, and the Sabres are struggling. Fairburn notes that while Cozens’ value may be lower now, Buffalo could still trade him for a significant haul if they choose to.
“Cozens has become a popular name in trade rumors,” Fairburn wrote. “He hasn’t played his best hockey this season, and the Sabres are struggling. So it makes sense teams would try to test the waters on a 23-year-old center who is signed long-term and had 68 points two seasons ago. Cozens is currently scoring at a 42-point pace and hasn’t played well enough defensively. Why trade him when his value is at its lowest? The Sabres are better off trying to get Cozens back to the form he showed two seasons ago.”
The Sabres have not made the Stanley Cup playoffs since the 2010-11 season.
