‘Realistic’ Red Wings Trade Idea Sends Rangers Forward to Detroit

The Detroit Red Wings are expected to pursue roster upgrades this offseason as they aim to return to playoff contention after a ninth straight postseason miss. 

Max Bultman of The Athletic thinks "Detroit’s scoring depth is still a real concern," as he claimed in a column published after the final game of the regular season on April 15.

In that story, Bultman mentioned Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser, 28, who is coming off a 25-goal, 50-point season, as a potential free-agency target the Red Wings could chase to bolster the forward corps.

According to Bultman, in a new column answering fans' questions, another potential move could involve trading for New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider.

"Kreider is more realistic (than trading for Chicago Blackhawks' Teuvo Teravainen), as the Rangers should be motivated to move him with a bit of a cap crunch," Bultman wrote. "And I could see the logic in taking a chance on him."

Kreider, 34, is coming off a down year with 22 goals and 8 assists for 30 points in 68 games. The veteran, who played in the Rangers' top-six all season long, carries a $6.5 million cap hit through 2025–26 and has a modified, 15-team no-trade clause (NTC).

Even then, Bultman noted Detroit’s cap flexibility and positional need as reasons to consider a deal this offseason.

"It would be easier if he only had one year left, rather than two," Bultman said. "But there’s the potential for some statistical bounce back, and the acquisition cost would certainly be on the cheaper side.

"I don’t mind the idea, even though it would come with its share of question marks."

Kreider, however, expressed a desire to stay in New York during his end-of-season media availability and has the right to block a trade to 15 teams thanks to his modified NTC.

"This is home for me," Kreider said. "This is the organization that gave me an opportunity to live out my dream. I've developed so many incredible relationships and grown up and spent so much time in this area. 

"So, obviously, this is where I want to be and this is the group that I want to help in whatever fashion to win hockey games."

The Rangers drafted Kreider with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft. He's appeared in 883 regular-season games with the franchise, scoring 582 points, and has 76 points in 123 postseason games under his belt.