Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders is congratulated by his teammate Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44
The Detroit Red Wings are hovering around the edge of playoff contention for the 2024-25 NHL season, and a trade pitch involving New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau could give them the boost they need to solidify their chances. According to a new tool on PuckPedia called PuckGM, one fan-crafted proposal has the Red Wings landing Pageau in exchange for young forward Jonatan Berggren and defenseman Justin Holl (with $600k of his salary retained).
In this hypothetical deal, the Red Wings would bolster their middle-six forward group with the acquisition of Pageau, a skilled and versatile forward with two years remaining on his six-year, $30 million contract. Pageau, 31, tallied 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games last season and has accumulated 324 points in 718 career NHL games. His veteran presence and playmaking ability could bring depth and consistency to Detroit’s forward lines as they look to take the next step as a team.
For the Islanders, the deal could provide both immediate and long-term benefits. Berggren, a restricted free agent, would step into their lineup as a younger, cost-effective option. The 23-year-old forward has shown promise, having notched 6 points in 12 games last season with Detroit. Drafted in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Berggren has the potential to develop into a reliable NHL contributor.
The inclusion of Justin Holl in the trade might be a tough pill for the Islanders to swallow. Holl signed a three-year, $10.2 million contract with Detroit in 2023, but he underwhelmed in his first season, recording just 5 assists in 38 games. The Red Wings even considered buying out Holl, according to reports, but ultimately decided against it to avoid four years of dead cap space. His future with Detroit remains uncertain, and a trade could give him a fresh start on Long Island.
The Islanders would take on some of Holl’s contract in this proposed deal, but they would also gain valuable cap flexibility and youth in Berggren. For Detroit, acquiring Pageau gives them another reliable forward for their playoff push, while they part ways with a prospect who may not fit their immediate needs and a defenseman whose contract hasn’t yielded results.
Holl’s Struggles and Future Uncertainty
Holl was brought in to help bolster Detroit’s defense, but his struggles in 2023-24 have raised questions about his role with the team moving forward. Holl was a healthy scratch at times last season, and his name surfaced as a potential buyout candidate. While the Red Wings opted not to go down that route, NHL insider Max Bultman noted that a buyout could still be on the table if Holl’s performance doesn’t improve this upcoming season.
“They likely didn’t want to be on the hook for four years of dead cap that would have come with a buyout,” Bultman explained. “The Red Wings’ management team likely believes Holl can play, but whether he gets the opportunity is another question. If Holl ends up being a $3.4 million healthy scratch for much of the season, a buyout could be revisited next offseason.”
Holl previously spent six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs before signing with Detroit. Despite his struggles, he could still find a role with the Islanders if traded.
Red Wings Face Pressure to Re-sign Key RFAs
As training camps approach, the Red Wings still have major business to address in re-signing two of their most important players: Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Both restricted free agents remain unsigned, and locking them down is critical for the team’s future success.
Seider, a cornerstone on the blue line, recorded 42 points (9 goals, 33 assists) in 82 games last season. Meanwhile, Raymond, a dynamic offensive weapon, tallied 72 points (31 goals, 41 assists) in the same number of games. Both players are essential pieces of Detroit’s core, and their contract situations are expected to be resolved before the season kicks off.
As the Red Wings gear up for a pivotal season, the proposed trade for Pageau, along with resolving their RFA situations, could play a key role in determining their playoff fate.
