Red Wings Seek Playoff Push at 2026 NHL Trade Deadline

Detroit looks to end 10-year postseason drought with key additions

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Detroit Red Wings are in the thick of the playoff race in the Atlantic Division, sitting third in the standings. With the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline approaching, the team is looking to make moves to bolster their roster and end a 10-year postseason drought. The Red Wings have needs at both forward and defense, and their general manager Steve Yzerman has indicated he is willing to part with picks and prospects to improve the team.

Why it matters

Making the playoffs for the first time since 2016 would be a major milestone for the Red Wings, who are seeking to return to relevance in the Eastern Conference. The team has struggled mightily in recent years, missing the postseason for a franchise-record nine straight seasons. A successful trade deadline could provide the boost Detroit needs to secure a playoff berth and potentially make a deep run.

The details

The Red Wings have two primary needs heading into the deadline - a top-four defenseman and a top-six forward. They currently have a deal on the table for Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers, but it's unclear if he will waive his no-movement clause to join Detroit. On the forward side, the Red Wings could target a player like St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas to provide more scoring punch and complement their top line of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat.

  • The Red Wings defeated the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, February 27, 2026 to gain momentum coming out of the Olympic break.
  • The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is one week away, on March 6, 2026.

The players

Steve Yzerman

The general manager of the Detroit Red Wings who has indicated he is willing to make moves to improve the team's roster ahead of the trade deadline.

Dylan Larkin

The Red Wings' top center who just won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics.

Lucas Raymond

A talented young winger for the Red Wings who represented Sweden at the Olympics in Milan.

Alex DeBrincat

A skilled forward for the Red Wings who was considered one of the biggest snubs from the Olympic hockey tournament.

Tyler Myers

A veteran defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks who the Red Wings are reportedly trying to acquire via trade.

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What’s next

The Red Wings will need to decide in the coming days whether to pull the trigger on a trade for Tyler Myers or pursue other options to bolster their roster ahead of the March 6th trade deadline.

The takeaway

The Red Wings have a golden opportunity to end their lengthy playoff drought and potentially make a postseason run, but they will need to be aggressive at the trade deadline to add the necessary pieces to their roster. Yzerman has shown he is willing to make bold moves, and the next week will be crucial in determining the direction of the franchise.