The Detroit Red Wings have played themselves into the playoff picture. They are holding steady in the Wildcard race, looking to try and squeak into one of the two spots come the season’s end. The chance at a postseason berth alone seems to have the fanbase jumping.
For the Detroit Red Wings trade deadline situation, this could change the plans that General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman had in mind. Coming into the new year, when the calendar flipped to 2023, it seemed that the Red Wings would be sellers and dump any assets they could at the deadline.
But a few weeks later, it’s a much different tune. The Red Wings could very well become cautious buyers as the March 3rd trade deadline approaches. It might be time to check in on some of the assets available around the league. Timo Meier is the one that jumps out as intriguing.
While the Red Wings are likely to be cautious, and a Meier trade would be pricey, it’s at least a topic worth discussing to see what it could take to acquire the Sharks forward. Yzerman is going to be smart, and a postseason berth in 2022-23 will not mean a cup run, but adding in a piece or two to try and push the Red Wings across the finish line could be in order.
But, craving a bigger return, making a bigger move like trading for Meier is not entirely off the table. Let’s talk about it.
Thinking through a possible Detroit Red Wings trade for Timo Meier.
Meier is a 26-year-old forward who is on an expiring restricted free-agent deal. He is arbitration-eligible but is seeking an extension. Not that the Red Wings are going to dish out the money, as they have their own extension talks to worry about with Dylan Larkin, he’s a player that could be brought in for the mad dash at the postseason.
Maybe a move of Tyler Bertuzzi down the line could turn into a spot for Meier, but the problem would become cap space down the line. The Sharks forward is reportedly seeking a contract with figures similar to what Larkin is looking for.
But, the novelty idea of bringing in Meier before the deadline to be all-in is worth discussing. Meier is a big part of the Sharks’ offense, so it’s no shock he wants to get paid. He has 31 goals and 21 assists for 52 total points over 57 games played.
According to an article from a few weeks back, Bob Heyrman detailed what it might cost to acquire Meier from the Sharks. He mentions a first-round pick, a Grade-A prospect, and a Grade-B prospect being the likeliest of outcomes.
Again, back on earth and in reality, the Red Wings will not shell out that much. It’s doubtful that Meier is the best fit for Detroit, given their situation. Cautious additions with low risk with the least amount of capital given up are going to be the moves that make sense.
But with all the momentum on the Red Wings’ side, as they keep moving in the right direction, it’s hard not to tempt fate and look at some of the possibilities if they really go all in.
While the 2023 trade deadline is likely to come and go with a minimal move or two from the Red Wings, it’s fun to think about the options as the team gears up for a postseason run. Heck, it’s fun to be writing this type of article, with the Red Wings contending rather than plugging away about the Draft Lottery and how much the team needs to keep tanking.