The Detroit Red Wings have a golden opportunity.
In a season in which all but two teams are within single-digit points of a playoff spot - the Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes are long out of the race - the Red Wings could become the third party in what is a strong sellers' market.
The Avalanche and Coyotes are courting buyers with high-end wares like Matt Duchene and Martin Hanzal, but the Red Wings would be wise to add a few of their own pieces to the seller's table.
A 25-year playoff streak remains in the balance - the Red Wings have not missed the postseason since 1990 - but now is the opportune time for Detroit general manager Ken Holland to ship off his better pieces. Several skaters are likely to draw the interest of rival suitors, returning assets that will brighten the team's future.
Pending free agents are the easiest moves at the deadline, and the Red Wings have an attractive option in winger Thomas Vanek. After the Minnesota Wild bought out his contract, Vanek agreed to a one-year, prove-it deal with Detroit. He's done exactly that, scoring 32 points in 39 games, sitting second to only captain Henrik Zetterberg in team scoring.
Between the pipes, netminder Jimmy Howard, sidelined since late December with a leg injury, has been the league's best in the 17 games he's taken the ice, owning an NHL-high .934 save percentage. He's had a nice bounce-back campaign, particularly after a summer in which his near $5.3-million cap hit seemed immovable.
Still, 24-year-old Petr Mrazek is the goalie of the future in Motown, while Jared Coreau has proven that he's ready for the backup job. That could put Howard on the market.
One other player of interest could be defenseman Mike Green. Given the high demand for right-handed blue-liners, particularly those who can move the puck, Green could draw some interest and a nice return for the Red Wings.
With 24 points on the season, Green is on pace to finish the campaign with 41, which would mark his second-best finish since he put up 76 with the Washington Capitals in 2009-10 (he scored 45 points with the Capitals two seasons ago). The 31-year-old has one year remaining on his contract, carrying a $6-million AAV.
As for the Red Wings, with 51 points in as many games, the team sits eight points back of a playoff spot, ahead of only the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning in the East, while a jump to the postseason would require a leapfrog of six other clubs. No easy task.
League wide, the Red Wings are only better than four clubs, currently holding the fifth overall pick come June. With a little lottery luck, Detroit is poised to make its highest pick at the draft tables since Keith Primeau went third overall 27 summers ago.
A top pick and some bonus pieces added at the deadline would truly kick the Winged Wheel's rebuild into overdrive.
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