from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman may, or may not ,do much before the March 21 NHL trade deadline. But either way, he will be busy this week. Here are some items probably on Yzerman’s agenda:
Find Another Mantha-for-Vrana Opportunity
Last season, when contenders were fighting over rentals, Yzeman and Washington general manager Brian MacLellan made a 1950s-style hockey swap. They exchanged goal scorers. The Red Wings landed Jakub Vrana and first- and second-round picks. The Capitals picked up Anthony Mantha. The Red Wings turned that first rounder into goalie Sebastian Cossa.
Other opportunities may be out there this season. The Red Wings are presumably looking for a proven defenseman and a No. 2 center for the long run. Pius Suter is a good player, but it seems likely that Yzerman will look to upgrade. Suter is small and doesn’t a big enough offensive punch. Yzerman has assets to move, including Filip Zadina.
Some interesting players are in the marketplace headlined by Jakob Chychrun and Jake DeBrusk. The Chicago Blackhawks may move some contracts. Among the players rumored to be on the block: soon-to-be restricted free agents Dylan Strome, Dominik Kubalik and Brandon Hagel. The Red Wings have not been linked to DeBrusk or the Chicago players, but nobody heard of the Vrana-Mantha swap either before it happened last season.
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