If GM Steve Yzerman wrote a letter to Santa this year, what do you think he asked for?<\/p>\n
We\u2019d guess that Yzerman\u2019s Christmas list would include a No. 2 center, another proven scorer and a dependable defensive-minded defenseman.<\/p>\n
The Red Wings are pleased with the way Andrew Copp is playing, but he\u2019s not the long-term solution at No. 2 center. If they could land a No. 2 center in a trade, Copp could go to No. 3 center. How about a third line of John Leonard, Copp and Nate Danielson or James van Riemsdyk.?<\/p>\n
Nazem Kadri seems like the ideal candidate. He has 31 points in 37 games this season. And he can be a testy performer who can fly around the ice like he\u2019s a wasp at a company picnic. The Red Wings want to be harder to play against.<\/p>\n
The issue in going after Kadri is he\u2019s 35 and has three years left on a contract paying him $7 million per season. He has a 13-team no-trade clause. Are the Red Wings on that list?<\/p>\n
The Red Wings have also been mentioned in connection with Ryan O\u2019Reilly, 34, a veteran center who is dependable offensive player, superb in the faceoff and a responsible defensive perfomer. He\u2019s enjoying another quality offensive season with 31 points in 36 games. O\u2019Reilly, 36, is on pace for another 20-plus goals season for the Nashville Predators.\u00a0 He would be an attractive acquisition because he has one year remaining on a contract paying a reasonable $4.25 million salary<\/p>\n
The Red Wings could also be looking for another scorer for the third line. Teams are waiting to see who falls out of the race for that category, and that could take a while. Another target:\u00a0another defenseman to upgrade their unit.\u00a0 Mario Ferraro and Rasmus Andersson have been linked to Detroit.<\/p>\n
Red Wings In Case You Missed It<\/p>\n
Detroit legend Terry Sawchuk<\/a> gave his children a unique Christmas gift when he was playing in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n Bob Duff offers the 12 Ways of Red Wings Christmas.<\/a><\/p>\n Former Red Wings prospect is now a referee at the World Junior Championships.<\/a><\/p>\n Red Wings Extra<\/p>\n Larkin became the third Red Wings player in the past 20 years to record at least five-straight 20-goal seasons, joining Henrik Zetterberg (seven times from 2005-06 to 2011-12) and Pavel Datsyuk (seven times from 2003-04 to 2010-11)\u2026 The Red Wings have two 20-goal scorers (Larkin and Alex DeBrincat) at the holiday break for the first time since 1988-89 (Steve Yzerman and Paul MacLean)\u2026 Lucas Raymond (11-30-41 in 36 GP) became the fourth player in Red Wings history to record 40 points in each of his first five NHL seasons, following Zetterberg (15 times from 2002-03 to 2017-18), Yzerman (11 times from 1983-84 to 1993-94) and Sergei Fedorov (seven times\u00a0from 1990-91 to 1996-97).<\/p>\n Hockey Now Network<\/p>\n Florida: The Winter Classic was a Christmas gift to the Florida Panthers.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n New Jersey: Goalie Jacob Markstrom\u2019s brutal mistake hurts the New Jersey Devils.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n