NHL trade rumors and live updates: Chris Tanev to Stars, predictions, deals and news ahead of March 8 deadline

One year ago today, Detroit was three points back of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, with four games in hand. It was a great position. Three losses later, Detroit traded a young top-four defenseman in Filip Hronek, and a top-six winger in Tyler Bertuzzi, and that was that for the 2022-23 season.

We’ll never know for sure what Detroit’s “sell-line” was last season. With Bertuzzi a pending unrestricted free agent, the Red Wings probably had to trade him no matter what happened at the end of February. But at least in the case of Hronek, you have to wonder if Yzerman still makes that deal in-season, rather than waiting for the summer, if the Red Wings were in a playoff spot.

Detroit doesn’t have any Bertuzzi-level decisions to make this year. But they do have some notable pending UFAs in David Perron, Daniel Sprong, Shayne Gostisbehere and even Patrick Kane. So, understanding this year’s East race is shaping up to be ferocious — with the Lightning, Red Wings, Flyers, Devils, Islanders, Capitals and Penguins all still in play for three spots — how close to the cut line do the Red Wings need to be to hold onto those players? Do they need to be in a playoff spot? Two points out? Within four?

Maybe the line is different for different players. Perron, in particular, is a key emotional leader in the Red Wings locker room, and moving him would be a dagger to the group. That’s not something to do lightly. But with any of the four, tough decisions could be ahead if things go south.”

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