In Red Wings Land

31 Thoughts: Sabres juggling multiple scenarios ahead of trade deadline – Sportsnet

17. More than 30 players making at least $1.2 million have passed through waivers this season. That’s an incredible indicator of how tight this pandemic/flat-cap world is going to be. Alain Vigneault raised eyebrows when he said the Flyers expected Shayne Gostisbehere to clear. That wasn’t a shot at the defenceman. It was simply that the Flyers knew the market. Same with New Jersey and Nikita Gusev. I was surprised, however, that no one took a chance on Detroit’s Evgeny Svechnikov. He is available for trade.

18. I get the sense it’s been quiet around the Red Wings’ UFAs. I’m not as convinced about the Oilers and Luke Glendening, but I think there will be interest elsewhere.

A trade war for Glendening remains one of my dreams in this last week before the deadline.  Also as a reminder, Svechnikov clearing waivers can make him MORE valuable in a trade. It’s a weird world.

Many of Detroit Red Wings receive COVID-19 vaccine; here’s why Darren Helm hasn’t yet – Freep

Darren Helm battled the virus during the exhibition season and has yet to schedule an appointment for the vaccine.

“I’m not against it,” he said. “I had COVID early on, so I’m hoping I still have antibodies. I don’t really want to put that extra stress on my body. When the season is over, I’ll probably take a look at it.”

Hope is not a strategy.

Around the NHL

31 Thoughts (again)

5. Otherwise on the trade front, I think it’s quieter than reporters would like. More sellers than buyers, so the buyers are playing the waiting game — hoping the sellers start sweating like the Jordan Peele GIF. Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri sitting out doesn’t mean anything is necessarily imminent, but after Riley Nash’s unfortunate injury teams will not take chances. If there’s a position I do see some action, it’s in goal.

Come back soon, Bernier.

What every team should do at the 2021 NHL trade deadline – NBC Sports

NY Rangers: Trade Brendan Smith: The Rangers aren’t out of it for sure and don’t need to have a fire sale, but the best result is probably to add for the future. Brendan Smith might be their easiest player to move, especially to a team that loses out on Mattias Ekholm.

Ours was about finding somebody to overpay for Staal so I went with this because it reminds me of the haul we got for Smith.