Red Wings Seek Top-Six Center Ahead of Trade Deadline

Detroit looking to bolster center depth as they push for first playoff berth in a decade

Feb. 7, 2026 at 10:39am

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The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly in the market for a top-six center ahead of the NHL trade deadline, as they look to solidify their roster and make a push for the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. GM Steve Yzerman is said to be willing to pay a premium to acquire a veteran center with term, with names like Vincent Trocheck, Nazem Kadri, and Elias Pettersson mentioned as potential targets.

Why it matters

The Red Wings have the talent on the wings with players like Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, but their center depth behind superstar Dylan Larkin is seen as a weakness compared to other top teams in the competitive Atlantic Division. Adding a legitimate second-line center could be the missing piece to turn this roster into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

The details

The Red Wings have recently moved Marco Kasper, their heir apparent to the second-line center role, to the wing, leaving Andrew Copp as the team's current 2C. Sources have indicated that the Red Wings view their center depth as their biggest weakness compared to other top teams in the Atlantic Division, and they are willing to pay a premium to acquire a veteran center with term.

  • The NHL trade deadline is on March 6, 2026.
  • The Olympic roster freeze will lift on February 23, 2026, allowing teams to make trades.

The players

Steve Yzerman

The general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, who is looking to make a big move to bolster the team's center depth ahead of the trade deadline.

Vincent Trocheck

A forward for the New York Rangers who is reportedly a serious target for the Red Wings, as he is an excellent defensive player and has 36 points in 43 games this season.

Nazem Kadri

A center for the Calgary Flames who could be a potential target for the Red Wings, as he would be an excellent second-line center option behind Dylan Larkin.

Elias Pettersson

A center for the Vancouver Canucks who could also be a target for the Red Wings, as he would provide a significant upgrade to their center depth.

Dylan Larkin

The superstar center for the Detroit Red Wings, who is a bonafide NHL star, but the team lacks depth behind him at the center position.

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What they’re saying

“The Detroit Red Wings continue to be a team looking to significantly improve down the middle. Sources have indicated that the Red Wings not only want to grab another top-six pivot, but they want to acquire a veteran center with term and are willing to pay the big price.”

— Marco D'Amico, Hockey Insider

“Looking at the extremely competitive Atlantic Division, R.org has been told that the Red Wings view their center depth as their biggest weakness in comparison to other top teams in their division right now.”

— Marco D'Amico, Hockey Insider

“Detroit feels this is the missing piece for them to take their next step and GM Steve Yzerman has never really shied away from making that kind of big deal.”

— Marco D'Amico, Hockey Insider

What’s next

The Red Wings will be able to make trades once the Olympic roster freeze lifts on February 23, 2026, as they look to acquire a top-six center ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.

The takeaway

The Red Wings are in a prime position to end their long playoff drought, but adding a legitimate second-line center could be the key to turning this roster into a true Stanley Cup contender. GM Steve Yzerman has shown a willingness to make bold moves in the past, and he may need to do so again to give the Red Wings the best chance of success this postseason.