2 Red Wings Listed As Trade Candidates

The Detroit Red Wings are still holding their own 1/4 of the way through the season and are second in their division with a record of 11-7-1, having won five of their last 10 games. Whether they are competing or not, there are a couple of players they'd like to get rid of to clear out cap space and roster spots for the youth or new players.

David Pagnotta said, "If this is where the team is going to be...a wildcard bubble team...the more we're going to hear of guys like JT Compher and Andrew Copp in terms of the trade market." Pagnotta is speaking as though the Red Wings are likely to drop or hang around 7-10 in the conference again, which could very well happen. Good teams in their division haven't started well, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. All of them are expected to at least push up the standings as Detroit struggles at some point.

Both Compher and Copp are overpaid for what they bring to the team. They play on the second power-play unit and kill some penalties, but aren't too effective overall given their cap hits. The multiple years remaining make things tougher for Detroit to move either of them as they'd probably have to eat some of the cap hits. Compher has two more years remaining after this season at $5.1 million AAV and Copp has one year remaining at $5.625 million AAV. Both have 10-team no-trade lists.

Compher is playing higher in the lineup on the second line than Copp is on the fourth line, and they're both at center. This is a position that is sought after around the league, but more so for a top-6. Compher can arguably be that for a desperate team, but Copp isn't that player.

Compher has three goals and six points in 19 games, while Copp has a goal and seven points in 19 games. Depending on Detroit's situation as the season progresses, both of these veterans could be used in a trade for different reasons, ultimately leading to the Red Wings moving on from them, which is needed.

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