Breaking Down the Rangers-Red Wings Trade Fit: Why Braden Schneider and Vincent Trocheck Make Sense - and Lafrenière Might Not
As the Rangers continue to explore trade options in the midst of their ongoing retool, the conversation has mostly centered around who might be on their way out of New York. But any trade worth its salt is a two-way street - and it’s time to take a closer look at one of the more intriguing potential partners: the Detroit Red Wings.
Detroit’s been quietly building something under Steve Yzerman since his return as GM in 2019. It’s been a patient, methodical rebuild - heavy on draft picks, light on short-term splashes.
The Red Wings have stockpiled talent through the draft, avoided mortgaging the future for veterans, and leaned on free agency to plug holes without disrupting their long-term vision. But despite all that groundwork, the results haven’t quite caught up yet.
Detroit hasn’t seen the playoffs in a decade, and aside from Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, their draft-day hits haven’t turned into consistent game-changers - at least not yet.
Now, with the Red Wings hovering around playoff contention, the timing feels right for a shift in strategy. If there’s ever a moment to pivot from collecting assets to consolidating them, this might be it. And that’s where the Rangers come in.
Braden Schneider: A Natural Fit on Detroit’s Blue Line
Let’s start with Braden Schneider, because the fit here is almost too clean to ignore.
Detroit’s defense, beyond Seider, is still a work in progress. They’ve got a blend of veterans like Travis Hamonic, Ben Chiarot, and Jacob Bernard-Docker holding the fort, while younger players try to find their footing.
Simon Edvinsson is starting to look more comfortable on the left side in year two. Axel Sandin-Pellikka is showing flashes of offensive promise as a rookie, but as expected at 20 years old, his defensive game is still a bit raw.
Albert Johansson is logging meaningful minutes, but he’s still more of a developmental piece than a finished product. And in the pipeline, William Wallinder and Anton Johansson offer upside - but they’re not ready to step in and stabilize things today.
That’s why Schneider, a young, right-shot defenseman with cost control and NHL experience, checks a lot of boxes. He brings a steady, physical presence, and he’s not just a plug-and-play guy - he’s a foundational piece who could grow with this group. For a team trying to transition from rebuilding to contending, that’s exactly the kind of addition that makes sense.
Vincent Trocheck: A Solution Down the Middle
If Schneider fits Detroit’s defensive needs, Vincent Trocheck checks another major box: center depth.
Heading into the Olympic roster freeze, reports indicated Detroit was actively searching for a legitimate second-line center. Andrew Copp has worn that label for a while, but his production and role profile more as a third-line matchup guy - reliable, but not exactly a play-driver.
Offensively, the Red Wings are still leaning heavily on their top guys. Team metrics like goals scored and high-danger chances are hovering around league average, which tells you they need another consistent threat down the middle.
That’s where Trocheck comes in. He’s a proven two-way center who can generate offense, win faceoffs, and bring some edge - the kind of player who can stabilize a line and take pressure off the top unit.
Now, Detroit does have young centers in the pipeline. Marco Kasper, the 8th overall pick in 2022, has seen his role and minutes fluctuate in year two.
He’s projecting more as a defensively sound, middle-six center than a top-line catalyst. Nate Danielson, picked 9th in 2023, has a similar profile - high hockey IQ, good skating, solid two-way game, but again, more floor than ceiling.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, a 2024 first-rounder, is still a ways away. He’s developing in the AHL after coming over from Sweden and brings a physical, north-south style, but he’s not close to NHL-ready.
All of which makes Trocheck an appealing bridge - someone who can fill a key role now while the younger guys continue to develop. And remember, Detroit was in on Trocheck before he signed with the Rangers. That interest hasn’t gone away.
Alexis Lafrenière: A Tougher Sell in Motown
Now let’s talk about Alexis Lafrenière - and why his fit in Detroit isn’t nearly as seamless.
The Red Wings’ biggest needs are down the middle and on the right side of the blue line. Lafrenière, a left-shot winger, doesn’t address either.
And Detroit’s already dealing with a bit of a logjam on the wing - it’s arguably the deepest position group in their system. If anything, they’re more likely to move a winger than add one.
That’s not a knock on Lafrenière’s talent or potential. But in terms of roster construction, it’s hard to see how he moves the needle for Detroit right now. Unless the Red Wings are making a bigger play or reshuffling their forward group in a significant way, Lafrenière just doesn’t align with what they need.
What a Deal Could Look Like
If the Rangers were to package Schneider and Trocheck - two players who directly address Detroit’s structural needs - the return could be meaningful. Think Albert Johansson, Marco Kasper, and a second-round pick.
Maybe a protected first-rounder if the Rangers push harder. That kind of deal would reflect the value of what New York’s offering: not just talent, but roster solutions.
And that’s the key here. The most realistic trade scenarios aren’t built around big names or flashy headlines - they’re built around fit.
Schneider brings defensive stability. Trocheck brings center depth.
Lafrenière, for all his upside, doesn’t solve Detroit’s immediate problems.
As the Rangers continue to field calls and weigh offers, that principle should stay front and center: the best trades are the ones where roster logic does the heavy lifting.