The Detroit Red Wings are aiming to finish their rebuild and position themselves as playoff contenders, and a proposed trade could advance their cause.
PuckPedia has introduced a new feature called PuckGM that allows users to create and propose trades. One such proposal involves the Red Wings acquiring Mike Matheson from the Montreal Canadiens.
In this deal, the Red Wings would receive:
– Mike Matheson
And the Canadiens would get:
– A 2025 third-round pick
– A 2026 fifth-round pick
This trade is appealing for Detroit as it would strengthen their defense with Matheson, who is entering the seventh year of his eight-year, $39 million contract. Having spent the last two seasons with Montreal, Matheson would likely serve as the Red Wings’ second-line left defenseman.
Matheson would also bring veteran experience to Detroit’s defense. Last season, he played all 82 games, recording 11 goals and 51 assists for a total of 62 points.
For Montreal, moving Matheson’s contract would create space for younger defensemen like Logan Mailloux and David Reindbacher, who are both competing for roster spots. This trade would allow the Canadiens to focus on their younger players while acquiring additional draft picks.
Additionally, the Canadiens may send Lane Hutson to the AHL. With a crowded group of young defensemen, general manager Kent Hughes mentioned on BPM Sports on August 27 that Hutson might benefit from playing in the AHL to further develop his game.
Hutson, drafted in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, turned pro after Boston University’s season ended, appearing in two NHL games with no goals and two assists.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings are still negotiating contracts for RFA forward Lucas Raymond and RFA defenseman Moritz Seider, two of their top players. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde remains unconcerned.
Lalonde noted to The Detroit Free Press that such negotiations are typical, emphasizing that the focus with Raymond and Seider is on their roles and development rather than the contract details.
Raymond, who played 82 games last season, scored 31 goals and 41 assists for 72 points. Seider also appeared in 82 games, registering 9 goals and 33 assists for 42 points. Both are former top-10 picks for Detroit and are expected to take on significant leadership roles.
The Red Wings will kick off their 2024-25 NHL season on October 10 at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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