Here is a trade thought that popped into my head based on absolutely nothing. There is no smoke or fire to any of what I'm about to say. E5.
Detroit is a team on the cusp of exiting a rebuild. They are currently fighting for the final playoff spot in the East, during a growth year for their recent draftees. They are not looking for 'old' players, but rather long term solutions. They have a ridiculous amount of cap space and flexibility. They lack sandpaper other than Bertuzzi.
They have a player in Filip Zadina who is underperforming. He is at the lowest trade value of his career, but Yzerman isn't an idiot and can see that. He can also see the potential risk in a players development. Here is an interesting article that speculates that the problem may be with deployment and usage :
Quote:
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These analytical observations jive with the eye test, too. The line of Zadina, Suter, and Fabbri features three smaller skaters without a power forward to battle for possession down low. The first line has Tyler Bertuzzi in this role. When skating with Suter and Fabbri, this has been Zadina’s assignment, which doesn’t exactly align with his skill set.
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https://thehockeywriters.com/red-win...-filip-zadina/
Vlad Namesnikov is someone who has been on the UFA and trade radar the last couple of seasons. He is a Sutter player, responsible and chips in at a second line rate.
Jon Berggren is a talented playmaker, and has succeeded at every level so far. Plays both wings. Second coming of Tanguay?
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This idea comes solely from reading through some of the Johnny and Matthew signing thread. I think that Johnny signs a long term deal. I also think that watching the games this year, Tkachuk isn't driving the play on that line. He is doing great, and is incredibly skilled. The kind of player that I want on the team. I also can't shake the thought that he takes the qualifying offer and walks. There is also a potential problem signing three wingers to big money, long term deals.
So, those three pieces and a protected first. Enough?
RW depth becomes Mangiapane - Namesnikov - Zadina - Ritchie instead of Tkachuk - Mangiapane - Ritchie - Lewis that it is now. Could the team still thrive?
Yzerman would salivate over a top six of Bertuzzi - Larkin - Tkachuk/Vrana - Fabbri - Raymond. In a year Calgary would have a line of Pelletier - Zary - Zadina. Berggren as a floating winger instead instead of all of the flotsam we have collected this year.
Do we believe in Mangiapane?