Steve Yzerman is the hardest general manager in the NHL to read. You think you’ve got him pegged as a patient rebuilder, and then he goes out and signs three veterans in twenty minutes. Right now, the buzz around the league is reaching a fever pitch. With the 2026 NHL trade deadline on the horizon—specifically March 6—the Detroit Red Wings trade rumors are basically all anyone in Michigan is talking about at the local rink.
Detroit is in a weirdly good spot. They’ve got the second-most cap space in the entire league, sitting on over $13 million according to recent Spotrac data. That’s a massive war chest. While teams like Toronto and Vegas are suffocating under the cap, Yzerman has the flexibility to buy literally anyone he wants. But he won't. He never does. He waits for the "right" deal, which usually means someone with term or someone who fits a very specific, grit-heavy profile.
The Rasmus Andersson Situation is Getting Serious
If you’ve been following the insider reports from Elliotte Friedman and Pierre LeBrun this week, you know the Calgary Flames are ready to move Rasmus Andersson. Honestly, it feels like a "when" not "if" situation at this point.
Detroit has checked in. We know that for a fact. Andersson is exactly what the Wings need: a right-shot defenseman who can log 24 minutes a night and actually play against elite competition. He’s got 10 goals already this season and is basically the only thing keeping the Flames' blue line from collapsing.
Here is the catch. Yzerman isn't looking for a rental. If he’s going to trade a first-round pick and a top-tier prospect—which is the rumored asking price—he’s going to demand a contract extension as part of the deal. Reports suggest Andersson’s camp is looking for something in the $8 million to $9 million AAV range over seven years. That’s a huge commitment.
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- The Price: A 2026 first-round pick + a prospect like Carter Bear or a young roster player.
- The Goal: Pair him with Simon Edvinsson or Moritz Seider to create a true "Big Three" on the back end.
- The Risk: Andersson might prefer a destination like Vegas or Dallas where he can win a Cup right this second.
Could a Filip Hronek Reunion Actually Happen?
This is the rumor that won't die. Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta recently discussed the possibility of Filip Hronek returning to Detroit. It sounds crazy because Yzerman was the one who traded him to Vancouver in the first place back in 2023.
But things are different now. Vancouver is tight on the cap, and Detroit has money to burn. Hronek is under contract until 2032 at $7.25 million. He’s a known quantity. He knows the system, and he’s still in his prime. Marek’s argument is simple: Detroit needs exactly what Hronek brings—offensive punch from the right side. Whether there’s too much water under the bridge remains to be seen, but keep an eye on this if the Andersson talks stall.
Solving the "Soft" Forward Depth
It’s no secret that the Wings are a bit top-heavy. Lucas Raymond is having a career year with 47 points, and Alex DeBrincat is right behind him, but the drop-off after the top six is steep.
J.T. Compher has been a massive disappointment lately. He’s earning $5.1 million and hasn’t scored in 15 games. That’s a "yikes" from a production standpoint. Rumors are swirling that Yzerman might try an "addition by subtraction" move here. By packaging Compher with a pick, he could target someone with more "bite."
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Names like Tyler Bertuzzi—currently with Chicago—and Nazem Kadri are surfacing again. Bertuzzi is a fan favorite in Detroit, obviously. He’s got 19 goals this year and that "playoff style" the Wings are currently missing. Kadri is more expensive and older, but if Calgary is doing a fire sale, Yzerman has the cap space to absorb that contract without breaking a sweat.
The Goaltending Question: Gibson, Talbot, and Cossa
John Gibson has been a revelation since December, and Cam Talbot has been steady. However, Talbot is a pending free agent.
The smart money says Detroit stands pat in net unless they get a "blow me away" offer for Talbot. Why mess with a tandem that’s working? The only reason to move Talbot is if Yzerman thinks Sebastian Cossa is 100% ready to make the jump from Grand Rapids right now. Cossa has been putting up video game numbers in the AHL, and the temptation to see what the kid can do in a playoff race is real.
Why This Deadline Feels Different for Detroit
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Red Wings are legitimate buyers who aren't just looking for "vibe" guys. They need high-end talent to secure their spot in the Atlantic Division.
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The underlying metrics from MoneyPuck show a team that’s "average" at five-on-five but elite on the power play. That’s a dangerous way to live. If the power play dries up, the season could tank. Adding a guy like Dougie Hamilton—who is reportedly unhappy in New Jersey—could solve that. Hamilton is a $9 million cap hit, which scares off 30 other teams, but Detroit could swallow that contract tomorrow.
What to watch for in the next 14 days:
- The Olympic Freeze: Look for a flurry of activity before February 4th. Players and GMs want clarity before the break.
- The Andersson Extension: If you hear news that Andersson is talking extension with Detroit, the trade is essentially done.
- The "Yzerman Special": Watch for a trade involving a player nobody is talking about. He loves targeting under-the-radar guys like Andrew Peeke or Brett Kulak who provide stability without the high price tag.
The reality is that Detroit’s prospect pipeline is so deep that they can afford to "overpay" in a trade and still have a top-five farm system. They have the assets. They have the cap. Now, they just need the nerve to pull the trigger.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
Monitor the waiver wire and healthy scratch lists for the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils over the next three games. If Rasmus Andersson or Dougie Hamilton sit out for "roster management reasons," a deal with Detroit is likely in the final stages of vetting. Check the Red Wings' cap trajectory on PuckPedia to see if they leave enough room for a high-value extension before the March 6 deadline.