The Detroit Red Wings, currently on the edge of playoff contention, are involved in a potential blockbuster trade idea involving a division rival.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, one fan has suggested a significant trade that would send Alex DeBrincat from the Red Wings to the Buffalo Sabres.
Proposed Trade:
– Red Wings receive: JJ Peterka, Jordan Greenway
– Sabres receive: Alex DeBrincat
This hypothetical trade would be a major shake-up for both teams.
Detroit would gain 22-year-old JJ Peterka, who is in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract. Drafted in the second round in 2020, the German forward has made an impact for Buffalo, scoring 28 goals and 22 assists (50 points) over 82 games last season and playing as the second-line left winger.
Jordan Greenway, a 6-foot-6 forward with a physical edge, is also included in the deal. Currently in the last year of a three-year, $9 million contract, Greenway could add depth and toughness to Detroit’s third line, along with some offensive contributions.
In return, Buffalo would acquire Alex DeBrincat, who would bolster their offense significantly. DeBrincat, in the second year of his four-year, $31.5 million contract, scored 27 goals and added 40 assists for 67 points with Detroit last season. He would immediately slot into Buffalo’s top line.
Red Wings’ Struggles This Season
This potential trade makes sense for Detroit, which is looking to revamp its lineup after missing the playoffs last season. The team has started the current season slowly, holding a 4-5-1 record as of November 1. Head coach Derek Lalonde has expressed the need for the team to improve and find consistency.
“We’ve been a .500 team so far,” Lalonde said. “It’s been one step forward, one step back… The division and [Eastern] Conference are still competitive. I expect and hope for some parity.”
Detroit hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2015-16, so this deal could be a gamble to inject new energy into the team and break the postseason drought.
Lalonde added, “We want 60-minute consistency. We’ve shown flashes of strong play, but not consistently. It’s a battle with all 12 forwards and six defensemen.”
Peterka’s Importance to Buffalo
Peterka has been a vital piece for the Sabres, averaging over 20 minutes per game and contributing to the top power-play unit. This season, he has accumulated 4 goals and 4 assists (8 points) in 9 games. Although the trade would mean losing a key forward, Buffalo would gain DeBrincat, a proven offensive star.
The Sabres themselves are hoping to end a long playoff drought, having missed the postseason since 2010-11.
