Trade pitch has Red Wings acquiring Kirill Kaprizov.
The Detroit Red Wings are vying for a playoff position but could make aggressive moves in the offseason to strengthen their roster.
Using the PuckGM tool from the website PuckPedia, one user suggested a blockbuster trade that would see the Red Wings acquire Kirill Kaprizov from the Minnesota Wild during the offseason.
Proposed trade:
Red Wings receive:
- Kirill Kaprizov
- Yakov Trenin
Wild receive:
- Lucas Raymond
- Trey Augustine
- 2026 first-round pick
This trade would be a major move for Detroit, acquiring a legitimate superstar and another NHL player in exchange for a young forward, a promising goalie prospect, and a first-round pick.
Kaprizov is currently in the fourth year of a five-year, $45 million contract with the Wild. His future in Minnesota has been a hot topic, and the team might decide to trade him to Detroit. As a top-10 NHL player, Kaprizov would make the Red Wings a serious contender for the upcoming season.
Trenin, who is in the first year of a four-year, $14 million deal, is a depth forward who has posted 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points in 62 games.
For the Wild, the Red Wings would send Raymond, a young star forward, who is in the first year of an eight-year, $64.6 million contract. While Kaprizov is a stronger player right now, Minnesota would focus on their future with Raymond.
Detroit would also give up Augustine, one of the top goalie prospects in the NHL. Currently playing for Michigan State, Augustine has an 18-6-4 record with a 2.02 GAA and a .927 SV%.
Kaprizov’s Uncertain Future in Minnesota
Kaprizov can sign an extension on July 1, and his future with the Wild remains uncertain.
The Russian star has been connected to other teams, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has reported that Minnesota is aware of the possibility that Kaprizov could leave.
“Depending on where Minnesota is, both at the deadline and next summer, the results that they have this year,” Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast in October. “The fact that these rumors are out there means that a ‘Kaprizov watch’ will be ongoing… They’re on notice, and they know it. They need to prove to him that they’re worth staying with.”
Kaprizov’s season has been challenging, with injuries limiting him to just 37 games. He has scored 23 goals and provided 29 assists for 52 points but hasn’t played since January 26.
Red Wings GM Eager for Playoff Push
Detroit is pushing for a playoff spot and aiming to end their lengthy postseason drought.
The Red Wings haven’t made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season, and general manager Steve Yzerman is excited about the team’s playoff chances.
“It’s going to be an incredibly exciting playoff run, and we’re looking forward to it,” Yzerman said. “I think it’s going to be a thrilling battle, and I’m hoping we can stay in the hunt for those wild-card spots too. The NHL is having a great season, and the excitement in these moves, especially in the East, is going to make things very interesting.”
Currently, the Red Wings are 32-20-6, just three points shy of a playoff spot.
