The Detroit Red Wings will likely be very active in the trade market ahead of the March 6 deadline. After all, the club has been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference during 2025-26 and has money to spend. According to PuckPedia.com, Detroit has the second-most current cap space in the NHL.
While the Red Wings are excelling this season, there are areas of concern for the team. GM Steve Yzerman is expected to pursue both a top-six forward and a quality defenseman in the coming weeks. As far as blueliners go, Detroit has been linked with Rasmus Andersson and Dougie Hamilton in recent days. Nevertheless, the club could also reunite with former player Filip Hronek.
The idea was discussed between NHL insiders Jeff Marek and David Pagnotta on January 16. “You know who needs Filip Hronek? Detroit,” claimed Marek on Daily Faceoff. “I don’t know if he would be interested [in a reunion], I don’t know if Detroit would be interested, but I look at the player and what he brings, and I look at Detroit, and I say, ‘that’s the exact defenseman they need right now.’”
Hronek was previously traded by the Red Wings to the Vancouver Canucks in March of 2023. The star defenseman was not undervalued by Detroit at the time, though. Instead, the Red Wings could not re-sign Hronek due to cap restrictions and opted to make a move rather than watch him walk away for free that summer.
Detroit Red Wings Could Move for Filip Hronek and his Vancouver Teammate
GettyFilip Hronek would be a great addition to the Detroit Red Wings.
Although the Red Wings had money issues before, they could now quite easily afford Hronek’s contract. The defenseman is currently earning an AAV of $7.25 million and is under contract until the summer of 2032. As previously reported in the talks with the Calgary Flames regarding Andersson, Yzerman prefers to avoid a trade for a rental.
Unlike Andersson, who is set to become a free agent after 2025-26, Hronek would be in place for quite some time. This could prove to be a major factor when Detroit finally lands a new blueliner. Yzerman has also been in talks with Vancouver for forward Kiefer Sherwood. It seems as if Yzerman would be willing to bring in Sherwood if he first agrees to a contract extension.
Marek and Pagnotta both pointed to how the Red Wings could take care of their two needs in one big trade with Vancouver. According to the reporters, it would be easier to agree on a deal for both Hronek and Sherwood, rather than complete moves with multiple teams. Potentially grabbing both players would be a huge piece of business for Detroit.
Hronek is Considered one of Vancouver’s top Trade Pieces
Interestingly enough, Detroit selected Axel Sandin Pellikka with the 2023 first-round pick acquired in the deal that sent Hronek to Vancouver. Pellikka is currently the team’s second right-handed blueliner behind star Moritz Seider. Assuming Hronek reenters the fray, he would likely push Pellikka down to the third line.
The Canucks are currently in sell-off mode after enduring a brutal 2025-26 campaign. Because of this, Vancouver is open to trading practically any player on the roster. According to Elliotte Friedman, Hronek may just be the team’s most valuable trade chip at the moment. The defenseman has 27 points in 47 games with the Canucks this season.
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