Red Wings Rising: Why Steve Yzerman Is Pushing to Add at the Deadline-and Why It Matters
A year ago, Dylan Larkin didn’t hold back. When the Red Wings stood pat at the trade deadline, the captain made it clear the locker room felt it.
No spark, no boost, and ultimately, no momentum. Fast forward to now, and the tone in Detroit is very different-and so is the team.
The Red Wings are in the thick of it, sitting second in the Atlantic Division and within striking distance of the Eastern Conference lead. They’re not just hanging around-they’re pushing the pace. And this time, it looks like Larkin’s going to get his wish.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently noted that general manager Steve Yzerman is actively working the phones. “These players have earned help,” Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast.
And it’s hard to argue with that. Detroit’s earned every bit of its current standing, and now it’s Yzerman’s turn to reward the group that’s brought the Wings back into the contender conversation.
A New Identity-and a New Standard
This isn’t the same Red Wings team that faded down the stretch last season. Under Todd McLellan, the group has found its footing and forged a new identity.
Coaching changes midseason rarely come with sweeping system overhauls, but McLellan has clearly put his stamp on this squad. Detroit’s 33-18-6 record is no fluke.
They’re playing with structure, resilience, and a level of confidence that’s been missing in recent years.
What’s different? For starters, this team doesn’t wilt under pressure anymore.
They bounce back, they grind, and they’ve shown they can win in different ways. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident-it’s the result of buy-in, development, and leadership.
Now, it’s time to add the next piece.
Yzerman’s On the Hunt
Make no mistake: Yzerman is working. Detroit has been in the mix for several notable names already.
They checked in on Quinn Hughes. They were involved in talks for Kiefer Sherwood.
They made a push for Rasmus Andersson. None of those deals materialized, but the message is clear-Yzerman isn’t sitting idle.
There’s more smoke, too. Friedman has linked the Wings to the Winnipeg Jets, while TSN’s Darren Dreger has reported that Detroit is targeting a second-line center and a right-shot defenseman. That’s not just throwing darts-it’s a focused approach to bolstering key areas of the lineup.
And with the Lightning, Canadiens, Sabres, and top Metropolitan teams expected to be active buyers, the need to keep pace is real. Standing still isn’t an option. The arms race in the East is heating up, and Detroit can’t afford to fall behind.
What Comes Next
Whether it’s a playmaker up front, a stabilizing force on the blue line, or both, the Red Wings need reinforcements. Not just to reward the progress made, but to keep pushing forward. This team has earned the right to compete-and to be supported.
The clock is ticking, though. The NHL’s Olympic trade freeze kicks in at 3:00 p.m.
ET on Wednesday, February 4 and runs through 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22.
That gives Yzerman a narrow window to make something happen before the market goes quiet.
But if this season has shown us anything, it’s that Detroit is done waiting. The time is now-and the Red Wings are ready for the next step.