Trade Deadline Watch: Will Detroit or Carolina Make the Bigger Splash?
As the NHL trade deadline creeps closer, two teams are drawing serious attention for very different reasons - the Carolina Hurricanes and the Detroit Red Wings. Both are playoff-bound as things stand, but with very different expectations and windows.
One is a perennial contender still trying to get over the hump. The other is a rising squad that’s ahead of schedule.
And both might be eyeing the same big-name target.
Let’s break down what’s at stake for each club and why this year’s deadline could be more than just a tweak - it could be a turning point.
Detroit’s Time to Push?
Coming into the season, the Red Wings were expected to be scrapping for a wild card spot. Instead, they’ve surged into second place in the Atlantic Division.
That’s not just a nice surprise - it’s a signal. This team might be ready to take a real step forward, and GM Steve Yzerman knows it.
There’s a sense around the league that Detroit is going to be aggressive at the deadline. They’ve got the assets - prospects, picks, and cap space - and they’ve got motivation.
Last year, Dylan Larkin made it clear that the lack of deadline moves affected the locker room. That message wasn’t lost on Yzerman.
He’s not a GM who’s afraid to sell future pieces if it means helping the team win now.
And here's where things get really interesting: Detroit is reportedly in the mix for Artemi Panarin. Yes, that Artemi Panarin - the kind of game-breaking winger who can tilt a playoff series. The Red Wings have the ammo to make a move like that, and there’s a potential bonus angle here, too: a reunion with Patrick Kane.
Now, the Kane-Panarin duo didn’t exactly light it up in New York, but that was a different situation. Kane was dealing with a nagging hip injury that clearly limited him.
Fast forward to now, and Kane is looking like his old self again - dynamic, creative, and dangerous. If Detroit could bring Panarin into the fold, it’s not hard to imagine that chemistry from their Chicago days reigniting.
That’s a lot of firepower for a team that’s already making noise.
The big question: does Yzerman see Panarin as a pure rental, or is there interest in a short-term extension? That’s still unclear, but either way, the Red Wings are in position to make a bold move - and the timing couldn’t be better.
Carolina’s Window Is Now
Then there’s Carolina. The Hurricanes have been knocking on the door for years, consistently one of the most well-rounded teams in the league - and just as consistently falling short in the playoffs. They’ve made solid additions at recent deadlines, but the breakthrough hasn’t come yet.
This year, they’re once again in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, and once again looking for that extra gear. And like Detroit, they’re reportedly in on Panarin.
It’s no secret what Carolina needs: more scoring punch. They’re a disciplined, structured team that can grind with the best of them, but when the games tighten up in the playoffs - especially against teams like Florida and Tampa - they’ve struggled to generate enough offense. Adding a player like Panarin could change that equation.
He’s not just a scorer - he’s a creator, someone who can break down defenses and open up space where there wasn’t any. That’s exactly the kind of player Carolina has lacked when the margins get razor-thin in the postseason.
The complication? Panarin plays for the Rangers, and Carolina would be making a deal within the division. That’s always tricky, but it’s not impossible - especially if both sides see a win-win scenario.
So, Who Blinks First?
Both Detroit and Carolina have clear incentives to go big. Detroit wants to reward a team that’s taken a leap, and they have the flexibility to do it. Carolina is trying to maximize a window that’s been open for a while but hasn’t led to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.
If the Rangers do decide to move Panarin - and that’s still an if - expect both teams to be in the conversation until the very end. And even if Panarin doesn’t move, don’t be surprised if these two clubs are active in other ways. They’re not just looking to make the playoffs - they want to make noise once they get there.
The arms race is on. Now it’s just a matter of who fires first.