from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Q: Does Yzerman continue his pursuit of centers in free agency this offseason? Are trades off the table because of a lack of available talent to be traded? – CJ

A: Yzerman will explore the free-agent market for a second-line center. It’s doubtful that any of the high-end centers who potentially will hit the market will want to sign with a rebuilding team, players like Filip Forsberg (Nashville), Nazem Kadri (Colorado), Vincent Trocheck (Carolina), Ryan Strome (Rangers) and Claude Giroux (Philadelphia).

The Red Wings might focus on the second tier of centers, a group that includes Andrew Copp (Rangers), Rickard Rakell (Pittsburgh) and Paul Stastny (Winnipeg).

Their biggest trade chip would be Tyler Bertuzzi if they opt to go that route. Of course, moving a 30-goal scorer who provides a much-needed abrasive element would be risky, and they would need to get a proven goal-scorer in return.

Bertuzzi is entering the final year of his contract ($4.75 million), so the Red Wings need to decide soon on his future. They’re certainly not going to let him walk after the season as an unrestricted free agent and having only one year remaining limits his trade value. Chances are, they will sign him to a multi-year extension. But that wouldn’t preclude them from trading him, as Yzerman did with Anthony Mantha in 2021.

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