Congratulations, you get to play the role of Steve Yzerman today. It’s no surprise that Yzerman is looking to add pretty much anywhere in the Red Wings lineup. With a hefty trade market, I will do my best to give trades I believe are fair value (albeit I still have some hometown bias), and it’s your choice to take it or not. Very few of these are based on actual trade offers. From a lot of the rumours that have come out, Compher and Berggren are offered the most; however, I don’t see them having too much value. Keep in mind, I’m not an insider, just a fan. That being said, let’s get into it.
Red Wings: Mason McTavish
Ducks: Elmer Soderblom, Nate Danielson, Anton Johansson, 2026 First*
Starting with one of the bigger fish, McTavish is everything the Red Wings need. A young, big body with an elite upside who extends the window. McTavish is an RFA, and there has been some talk about him wanting to be more competitive. The top 6 in Anaheim is getting crowded and will only get further cramped when guys like Sennecke make the team. That being said, McTavish is still big and talented on both ends of the ice; it would take a big offer to free him up. Soderblom is on a great deal and has some pretty solid upside. Danielson projects to be a middle 6 center (like McTavish is currently), and Anaheim wanted Johansson as a piece in a Gibson trade at the deadline. The first round pick moves to 2027 if it is in the top 10.
Red Wings: Jason Robertson
Stars: Axel Sandin-Pellika, Elmer Soderblom, 2026 First*, 2027 Third
When both sides get uncomfortable, it’s a sign you’re getting to the right range. Detroit would acquire a big body winger who fits the timeline. Robertson has an 80-point floor and has hit over 100 points before. The cost is Detroit’s blue-chip prospect. ASP is an offensive right-side defenceman who is cost-controlled for a few seasons, both things that Dallas needs. ASP’s upside alone as an elite offensive defenceman may worry Red Wings fans. Dallas also gets Soderblom, who has two years on his very cheap deal, and they replenish the draft stock they lost while acquiring Rantanen. The first round pick moves to 2027 if it is in the top 10.
Red Wings: Erik Karlsson (25% retained)
Penguins: Erik Gustafsson, Jonatan Berggren, Carter Mazur, 2026 Second*
I can’t imagine this is ideal for either side. Kyle Dubas probably wants a bit more of a blue-chip player, and Steve Yzerman probably wants a real defenceman for his top four. The main part of this trade is the 2026 second-round pick to a first-round pick if Detroit makes the playoffs. Mazur is a fairly young player who helps Dubas begin to change the direction of Pittsburgh. Jonatan Berggren is an early reclamation project who comes cheap. Pittsburgh takes Gustafsson from Detroit to potentially flip him at the deadline if he can start to play decently again.
Red Wings: Bryan Rust
Penguins: Ondrej Becher, 2026 First*, 2026 3rd
Both sides get what they want. Detroit gets a top-line winger, albeit an older one, and Dubas gets his first-round pick. Ondrej Becher is from Detroit. He’s a fairly projectable forward who had a really solid first year on a crowded Grand Rapids lineup. Detroit also tacks on a third-round pick to add to Pittsburgh’s slew of draft picks. I think Dubas probably still leans towards a no on this trade, however. The first round pick is top 10 protected, or it moves to 2027.
Red Wings: Rickard Rakell
Penguins: Carter Mazur, 2026 First*, 2028 Second
Rakell plays the left wing, which Detroit actually needs. Because of the position, size, defensive capability, and being a year younger, Detroit coughs up more. Mazur is again a solid NHL-ready prospect who can be one of the first young players to start the transition into the rebuild for Pittsburgh. Dubas gets two high draft picks, both of which I’d imagine are probably what he is chasing most. The first round pick moves to 2027 if it is in the top 10.
Red Wings: Dougie Hamilton, 2026 Fourth, 2028 Seventh
Devils: Michael Rasmussen, Nate Danielson, 2026 Second
New Jersey needs cap space, and teams (including Detroit) are reported to have called on Hamilton. Hamilton is a huge right-shot defenceman with serious offensive upside. However, Hamilton is on a 9 million dollar deal and has an extensive injury history. New Jersey gets a blue-chip center prospect with Danielson and some added size with Rasmussen. New Jersey gets a second-round pick as well to bolster the prospect pool a little more. Detroit nets some late picks to help replenish the prospect pool after giving up plenty of futures.
Red Wings: Evan Rodrigues
Panthers: Jesse Kiiskinen, 2026 Second, 2028 Fourth
The Panthers literally are not cap compliant, and even if Tkachuk starts the season on IR, they need to deal with this eventually. Dealing with Rodrigues is the most likely option. While he is a little undersized for Detroit, he plays big and brings a winning culture, and plays the top line left wing Detroit needs. In return, Florida gets a forward prospect with a good shot and some decent upside, along with some decent draft capital, which would give them three second-rounders next year. Florida gets cap compliant and some trade ammo, while Detroit gets their left wing.
Red Wings: Jared McCann
Kraken: Elmer Soderblom, 2026 First*, 2026 Seventh*
Detroit gets a top-of-the-lineup guy who has scored 40 goals before to play on the left wing. McCann is also still under 30, so he fits into the Larkin and DeBrincat timeline. In return, the currently struggling Kraken get a young player who is really cheap in Soderblom and some draft stock. I could see the Kraken looking to hold onto him, and this deal may not be enough to free the franchise’s leading scorer. The first becomes a 2027 first if it is in the top 10. The seventh becomes a fifth in 2028 if Detroit makes the playoffs, and it becomes a 2028 second if Detroit makes the playoffs and McCann hits 25 goals.
And that concludes my Red Wings mock trades. Are there any you like? Anything you want to change? Anything you love or you hate? All of it can be dropped in the little comment box below, and thank you for giving this a read.
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