The NHL trade deadline continues to inch closer. It might be because the Detroit Red Wings’ plans have changed so much over the last 3-4 days, but this deadline season feels like it has been an absolute frenzy.
The Detroit Red Wings locked up Dylan Larkin and likely ended any rumors of trading him with that move. But, the team will still sell off some of its other remaining assets. One of those players likely on the move is Tyler Bertuzzi.
For the Red Wings, they are going to try and capitalize on the trade market and bring in something solid for Bertuzzi. The Red Wings traded Filip Hronek to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, re-couping a conditional 2023 first-round draft pick.
General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman will do what he can to help the Red Wings move in the right direction. He showed that by moving Hronek when it seemed a little bit shocking. Bertuzzi is likely the next to go, so let’s talk through three possible suitors.
Here are three teams likely “in” on Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi.
Edmonton Oilers
First up is an old friend of the Red Wings who might be trying to reach out and see if he can get Yzerman to trade him one of his former players. Oilers GM Ken Holland will likely reach out to the Red Wings and see if he can get Bertuzzi at a bargain price.
The Oilers are looking to go for it all in 2022-23 and have been looking to add pieces to get them over the finish line. Adding Bertuzzi for the Oilers’ stretch run could very well become a reality; Holland will likely be in contact with Yzerman to see if he can add another forward into the mix for his team.
However, the Oilers do not have a first-round pick in 2023 after dealing it to the Nashville Predators in the deal to acquire Mattias Ekholm. They could still give the Red Wings a future first-rounder, but not having the 2023 pick could be a deterrent for Yzerman. Still, the Oilers are very much a possible suitor for Bertuzzi this deadline season.
Dallas Stars
The Stars were grouped into the suitors, according to Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on the 32 Thoughts podcast. Our friends over at Blackout Dallas on the FanSided network also included Bertuzzi in their deadline primer coverage.
Like the Oilers, the Stars do not have a first-round draft choice in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft either, so the Red Wings would likely have to settle for a pick down the line. However, the Stars have prospects that the Red Wings could be looking to poach and try to piece something together moving forward.
Like the Oilers, even without a first-rounder readily available, the Stars could likely still be in on Bertuzzi. The question will be if they can beat out the other suitors.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Last but certainly not least is the Toronto Maple Leafs. GM Kyle Dubas has been going crazy trying to piece together his roster for a cup run. With disappointing playoff exits in recent years, the pressure is on, and the Maple Leafs are looking to grab any spare players they can get their hands on.
Toronto has been reportedly eyeing Bertuzzi for a while now, and even with some trades having been made, they could still be looking to trade for him. The Maple Leafs have a first-rounder in 2023 by way of Boston, which they recently acquired. They also have a 2024 first-rounder that is their own.
It will be interesting to see if Dubas is desperate enough to mortgage more draft picks after trading so many. The Maple Leafs may not be done yet and could be looking to grab Bertuzzi before the deadline.
The Detroit Red Wings have time before the trade deadline, but I’d expect Yzerman to get busy and pull something off before the 3 P.M. deadline on Friday.