Kirill Kaprizov #97 of the Minnesota Wild
Detroit Red Wings Eyeing Blockbuster Trade for Kirill Kaprizov
As the Detroit Red Wings fight for a playoff berth, their front office may already be looking ahead to a pivotal offseason. One fan-driven trade proposal, facilitated by PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, has sparked intrigue by suggesting a blockbuster deal that could significantly alter the Red Wings’ trajectory.
Proposed Trade:
Red Wings Receive:
- Kirill Kaprizov (F)
- Yakov Trenin (F)
Wild Receive:
- Lucas Raymond (F)
- Trey Augustine (G)
- 2026 first-round pick
If executed, this deal would mark one of the biggest trades in recent Red Wings history, with Detroit acquiring a legitimate superstar in Kaprizov alongside a solid depth forward in Trenin. In return, the Wild would receive a promising young forward in Raymond, a high-upside goaltending prospect in Augustine, and a future first-round pick.
Kaprizov’s Uncertain Future in Minnesota
Kaprizov is currently in the fourth year of his five-year, $45 million contract with the Wild, but speculation around his long-term future in Minnesota has been growing. As of July 1, he will be eligible to sign a contract extension, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has indicated that the Wild are aware they must convince him to stay.
“Depending on where Minnesota is, both at the deadline and next summer, the results that they have this year,” Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “The fact that these [rumors] are out there means there’s going to be a kind of Kaprizov watch going on… They’re on notice, and they’re admittedly on notice.”
Kaprizov has had a frustrating season due to injuries, playing in just 37 games while still managing to post 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points. He hasn’t played since January 26, but when healthy, he remains one of the NHL’s elite talents, making him an attractive target for teams looking to contend.
Would the Red Wings Pull the Trigger?
On Detroit’s end, the appeal of adding Kaprizov is obvious. The 26-year-old winger is one of the most dynamic players in the league and could significantly elevate the Red Wings’ offense as they push toward contention. Pairing him with Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat could give Detroit one of the most potent top lines in the NHL.
However, parting with Lucas Raymond would be a steep price to pay. The 21-year-old is in the first year of an eight-year, $64.6 million deal and is considered a core piece of Detroit’s rebuild. Additionally, Augustine is one of the top young goaltending prospects in hockey, currently thriving at Michigan State with an 18-6-4 record, a 2.02 GAA, and a .927 save percentage. Throwing in a first-round pick only sweetens the deal for Minnesota, making it a significant gamble for the Red Wings.
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman Focused on Playoff Push
For now, Detroit remains focused on securing a playoff spot, as the team is currently 32-20-6 and just three points out of the postseason picture. General manager Steve Yzerman is embracing the challenge ahead.
“It’s going to be an incredibly exciting playoff run where we’re looking at it,” Yzerman said. “I think it’s going to be an exciting battle, and I’m hoping that we can remain in it for those Wild-Card spots too. The NHL is having a great year, and a lot of excitement in these moves here, particularly in the East, are going to make it very interesting.”
Whether or not Detroit ultimately pursues Kaprizov, the fact that such a deal is being proposed underscores the team’s growing ambition. If the Red Wings can secure a playoff spot this season, adding a superstar in the offseason could be the next step toward making them a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
