2 early Red Wings trade candidates after missing 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Detroit Red Wings have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs once again. For the 10th consecutive season, there will be nothing left to play for following the regular season in Hockeytown. This is the first time such an occurrence has happened to the Red Wings. And after the Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff spot, Detroit now owns the longest active playoff drought in league history.

It did not need to be like this, of course. For the longest time, it looked as if it wouldn’t happen. But the Red Wings allowed too many games to slip by. They coughed up multiple late leads and came out flat in the most important games of the season. As a result, they are watching the postseason from the couch.

General manager Steve Yzerman has been in charge since April 2019. Seven years later, there has been progress in terms of the talent on the roster and in the farm system. But results on the ice have largely stagnated. Detroit can claim its highest point total under Yzerman with another point from its remaining two games. Still, the playoffs have alluded them.

It remains unlikely that the Red Wings move on from Yzerman. He is a franchise legend, a former captain, and a three-time Stanley Cup champion from his days on the ice. Firing him is a complete no-go. And a termination via promotion doesn’t feel like a viable option this summer.

However, it’s clear that major changes are needed for this team. The roster needs a major shakeup, and that needs to happen sooner rather than later if this team is to take that next step. With this in mind, here are two potential trade candidates whose days with the Red Wings could be numbered.

JT Compher trade could give Red Wings additional salary flexibility

The Detroit Red Wings will have some salary cap freedom this summer. They are projected to have $30 million in available space, according to PuckPedia. Detroit’s biggest priority will be re-signing defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who is a restricted free agent on July 1. That will take up a considerable amount of change.

The Red Wings will still be able to operate in NHL Free Agency if they so choose. However, they could stand to add a bit of breathing room regardless. That’s where a potential JT Compher trade comes into play.

Compher signed a big five-year contract back in 2023. He was coming off a career year with the Colorado Avalanche. And he was expected to play a major role in this team’s offense. However, outside of a 48-point debut season, he has made little impact in Detroit.

The Red Wings have dumped contracts in the past, with Jake Walman and Vladimir Tarasenko being recent examples. Dumping Compher could be a bit easier, considering that he plays center. Centers are always in demand, which means the Red Wings could have a few suitors for his services. In any event, a Compher trade may be best for both parties at this time.

Michael Rasmussen needs a change of scenery

At one point, it seemed as if Michael Rasmussen was on the verge of breaking out for the Red Wings. He was receiving first-line minutes, and his physical play truly helped set the tone for Detroit. However, those days seem to be in the rearview mirror.

Rasmussen, a former ninth-overall pick, is in the midst of his worst season in the NHL. He will finish below the 10-goal mark for the first time since 2020-21. Additionally, he has averaged less than 13 minutes of ice time for the first time since his rookie year in 2019-20.

Rasmussen’s calling card has been his physicality, though. Before 2025-26, the 26-year-old recorded 115+ hits in each of the last four seasons. However, that will not be the case in 2025-26. After an injury shortened his campaign, he will finish with just 64 hits, down from the 141 he recorded last year.

The Red Wings’ bottom-six has not played up to par over the last few seasons. But with Rasmussen’s physicality, there was something he added to the group that his peers didn’t. Now, this is no longer the case. Rasmussen is still young enough that he could find his game elsewhere. His time with the Red Wings, though, could come to an end this summer.

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