from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
Yzerman has been an unusually visible presence on this trip since joining the team Thursday at New Jersey. On Friday, he attended an intense practice meant to send a message after the team quit in the third period against the New Jersey Devils....
This deadline lacks obvious candidates. The established players with the most value — Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Filip Hronek — are core pieces in the rebuild.
Here is a look at players Yzerman might move in the next nine days.
F Andreas Athanasiou
Why: Athanasiou is a top-six caliber center/winger with explosive speed and soft hands. He is in the last year of his deal and will be a restricted free agent this summer. His numbers this season are disappointing — eight goals, 14 assists, an NHL-worst minus-45 in 43 games, but he scored 30 goals last season and has undeniable talent. A team eyeing a playoff run would be getting a fast forward with upside.
G Jonathan Bernier
Why: Has played very well since mid-December, consistently giving his teammates a chance to win. Bernier is under contract through next season. The problem is Jimmy Howard has struggled, as has third-stringer Calvin Pickard in his NHL experiences, and the Wings need Pickard in Grand Rapids where he provides stability for the Griffins. There’s no goalie prospect in the Wings' system remotely ready for the NHL. Plus, trade Bernier now and the Wings would have to sign two NHL veterans this summer, as Howard is in the last year of his contract.
more names...
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