The Detroit Red Wings stayed quiet as the Olympic roster freeze came and went, opting not to make any moves-at least not yet. But don’t mistake silence for inactivity. Behind the scenes, there’s a growing buzz that Detroit could be gearing up for a significant addition down the middle.
The Red Wings have been searching for a legitimate second-line center to slot in behind captain Dylan Larkin, and so far, Andrew Copp has filled that role. He’s been serviceable-eight goals and 33 points through 58 games-but serviceable isn’t what this team needs if it wants to take the next step in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Wings are looking for someone who can tilt the ice, drive offense, and give opposing defenses something to think about beyond Larkin.
That’s where Vincent Trocheck comes into the picture.
Trocheck, currently with the New York Rangers, has become a name to watch in Detroit’s trade deadline plans. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the veteran center prefers to stay on the East Coast, which effectively rules out interest from Western Conference teams like the Minnesota Wild. That geographic preference could work in Detroit’s favor.
Friedman also pointed out something worth remembering: the Red Wings were in on Trocheck back in 2021 when he hit free agency. He ultimately signed a seven-year, $39.38 million deal with the Rangers after putting up 51 points with the Carolina Hurricanes. That contract still has three years remaining after this season, which makes him more than just a rental-exactly the kind of player Detroit is reportedly targeting.
And that’s a key part of the Red Wings’ trade strategy this year. Multiple insiders, including David Pagnotta, have noted that Detroit is focused on acquiring players with term left on their deals.
This isn’t about patching holes for a short playoff run; it’s about building a sustainable core. Trocheck fits that mold perfectly-he’s a proven top-six center, he plays with edge, and he brings the kind of two-way game that head coach Derek Lalonde would love to plug into his lineup.
Marco D’Amico has echoed similar sentiments, reporting that Trocheck is Detroit’s primary target. But he also mentioned fallback options like Nazem Kadri and Elias Pettersson.
Kadri, currently with the Calgary Flames, is more likely to be available before the deadline. Pettersson?
That’s probably a conversation for the offseason, if it even happens at all.
The good news for Detroit: they might not need to break the bank to land Trocheck. After missing out on Artemi Panarin, the Red Wings could be in a stronger negotiating position than expected. And while Trocheck does have a full no-movement clause, if he decides Detroit is a fit, the Rangers won’t have much leverage to block the deal.
So now we wait. The Red Wings have made it clear they’re not just chasing short-term success.
They want a center who can grow with this group, help them contend now, and stay a part of the equation for years to come. Trocheck checks a lot of those boxes.
Whether Detroit can close the deal before the deadline remains to be seen-but the interest is real, and the fit is undeniable.