The Detroit Red Wings are in the thick of the playoff race, and one trade proposal suggests they could strengthen their blue line by acquiring a star defenseman from a division rival.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, which allows users to create their own trade scenarios, one fan pitched a deal that would send Owen Power from the Buffalo Sabres to the Red Wings.
In this proposed blockbuster trade, the Detroit Red Wings would acquire former first-overall pick, while the Buffalo Sabres would receive Ben Chiarot, William Wallinder, Michael Rasmussen, a 2025 first-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick.
Power, selected first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, has yet to meet some expectations but remains a highly talented defenseman. A fresh start in Detroit could benefit him, and he’d immediately slot into a top-four role while contributing offensively. This season, he has 8 goals and 23 assists for 29 points in 54 games and is in the first year of a seven-year, $58.45 million contract.
For Buffalo, the key return would be the draft picks and Wallinder. A second-round pick in 2020, the 22-year-old is a big-bodied defenseman who could step in as a long-term replacement for Power.
Chiarot, currently in the third year of a four-year, $19 million deal, could either be used on Buffalo’s blue line or flipped for additional assets. Rasmussen, a former ninth-overall pick, would provide depth as a bottom-six forward. In 54 games this season, he has recorded 8 goals and 7 assists and is in the first year of a four-year, $12.8 million contract.
Insider Wouldn’t be Surprised if Power Was Traded
Despite Buffalo selecting Owen Power first overall and recently signing him to a long-term extension, his name has surfaced in trade rumors.
NHL insider Jeff Marek recently appeared on Sekers and Price and suggested that a trade involving Power wouldn’t be shocking.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see something happen (trade-wise) with Owen Power,” Marek said on January 31.
Currently, Power plays on Buffalo’s second defensive pairing alongside Connor Clifton. Over his NHL career, he has appeared in 217 games, tallying 18 goals and 82 assists for 100 points.
Red Wings Holding Onto Playoff Spot
Detroit entered the season aiming to compete for a playoff spot, and so far, they’ve stayed in the race.
The Red Wings currently hold the final Wild Card spot with a 28-22-5 record. Heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off break, they had won seven of their last ten games, and starting goalie Cam Talbot is pleased with the team’s performance.
“It’s a long year,” Talbot said. “This helps reset not only physically, but mentally as well. We have a few days of practice when we get back from the break, but there can’t be any kind of letdown. We have to continue to build off what we’ve built up here, but I think for the most part it’s getting healthy, resetting, and coming back ready to go.”
Detroit returns to action on February 22 against the Minnesota Wild.