Devante Smith-Pelly, speaking on NHL Network, has suggested that the Detroit Red Wings may need to trade some of their younger players to acquire more established NHL talent. This move, he believes, could help the team achieve better playoff success and become more competitive.
Smith-Pelly highlighted the Red Wings’ season as particularly intriguing, noting an initial surge in scoring and strong goaltending that inexplicably declined simultaneously. He questioned why the team consistently falters in March and April, despite often being in a strong position earlier in the season.
“There have to be some tough conversations regarding a lot of players,” Smith-Pelly stated. He clarified that he’s not referring to key players like Moritz Seider or Dylan Larkin, but rather other players in the organizational structure, excluding Simon Edvinsson. He emphasized the need for improvement across the team.
Bill Spaulding recalled Steve Yzerman’s trade deadline move of acquiring Justin Faulk, describing it as a moderate, though not the splashiest, acquisition. Spaulding acknowledged the presence of star power, with young forwards like Lucas Raymond playing alongside Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat scoring at a high rate, and promising defensemen like Seider and Edvinsson. However, he questioned whether the team’s depth, particularly scoring depth in the latter part of the season, is the primary issue.
“I think a couple of months ago, Todd McClellan called their depth ‘jersey on most nights’,” Smith-Pelly responded, indicating that when a coach criticizes the bottom six or support players, it’s a clear warning sign. He suggested that with a strong AHL team and promising young players, it might be time to convert some of these prospects into proven NHL contributors. He concluded by stating that not all young players can make the transition at once, and the team might benefit from packaging some assets to acquire proven players to achieve their goals now.
