As it stands now, there are eight teams who are likely sellers at the deadline. Anaheim, Edmonton, and Columbus in the Western Conference, and the Islanders, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Montreal, and Carolina in the East are all more than five points out of the playoffs at this point. Other teams such as Winnipeg, Dallas, and Colorado could drop out of the race or decide that it would be better to trade assets and continue or start a rebuilding process now instead of trying to squeeze into the playoffs in the next week or two. Even with the addition of one or two teams, the buyers will outnumber the sellers, potentially driving the price above what makes sense.
Here's a breakdown of who could be available from each team, with a link to their capgeek page.
Everybody, according to GM Bob Murray. He also said he wants NHL players instead of just prospects and draft picks. that may have changed, but it still likley limits who the Wings might be interested in.
Teemu Selanne- The future Hall of Fame Finn has a no-trade clause, but may be willing to waive it in order to get one last shot at a Cup. His numbers are down a bit from last year, but he's still scoring at almost a point-per-game pace, and would give the Wings another scoring option.
Saaku Koivu-Like his countryman Selanne, his numbers are down from last season, but he could give the Wings scoring depth down the middle and allow the team to roll three scoring lines and still keep Filppula, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg ont he top two lines.
Dan Ellis-If Detroit decides a backup goalie is a priority, Ellis could be one of their targets if the price is right. Ellis is a free agent next year, and the Ducks may want to give the backup job to prospect Iiro Tarkki. If that's the plan, they'll likely want to get something for Ellis now, even if it's just a low round draft pick.
Jeff Carter-The Carter experiment is looking like a mistake, and GM Scott Howson is going to have a hard time moving him for what he gave up to get him. Carter's contract, lack of production even factoring in his injuries, and rumors about issues with his attitude and maturity all lower his value, even considering he's coming off three staright 30+ goal seasons. If the Wings are willing to take on his contract and take a chance that playing on a contending team will solve any off-ice issues he's having, he could be a bargain.
Sammy Pahlsson-The veteran center doesn't provide much offense, but he can still win faceoffs and help kill penalties. If Detroit decides to bring in someone to center the 4th line and help improve their 25th ranked penalty killing unit, Pahlsson could be targeted.
Derek Dorsett- Detroit doesn't want a fighter who can't play, but Dorsett has scored nine goals, good for third on the Blue Jackets. Mike Babcock has made no secret of his desire for a guy who can drop the gloves when needed. Dorsett could fill that role.
Ales Hemsky-Virtually every trade rumor report involving Hemsky includes Detroit. The oft-injured Czech could help, provided he stays healthy, but that seems to be something unlikley to happen. Detroit would probably be willing to take a chance, but only at the right price, and not for prospect Tomas Jurco or a first round pick like some rumors have mentioned.
Andy Sutton- Sutton is the second most mentioned Oiler in Detroit trade rumors. He does have the big body that Babcock has said he wants, but he may not be enough of an upgrade over Jacub Kindl and Mike Commodore to make a trade worthwhile.
Ryan Smyth- If Smyth is willing to waive his no trade clause to come to Detroit-no sure thing given his love for Edmonton- he could be a help come playoff time. Having a power play rotation featuring the two best net-front players in the last 10 years would drive opposing goaltenders crazy.
Tuomo Ruutu-Ruutu has the big body Detroit lacks in the top 6, and enough scoring touch to keep up with Datsyuk and the rest of the Wings top guns. There is no guarantee that the Canes will want to trade him however, and if they do several other teams will be bidding for his services. He may be priced out of what Detroit is willing to give up to get him.
The Sabres are proof that there is a big difference between spending and spending wisely. Despite spending to the Cap, they are buried in the East and have no chance of making the playoffs. It's not a question of who might be available, it's more of a question of who might Detroit want.
Brad Boyes-What happened to Boyes? After back to back seasons with 43 and 33 goals, he has struggled to find the back of the net. He's a free agent next year, and seems like the perfect Red wings reclamation project. If he can be had for cheap, and he probably can be, Detroit might take the chance that coming to a team where he can blend in and be one of the guys with no real pressure will turn his game around. Given his free agent status, they will have little to lose taking the chance.
Derek Roy-He has another year on his contract, and his small stature would add to the Wings lack of size upfront, but he does have some talent. He could give the Wings a 3rd scoring center and more scoring depth.
Evgeni Nabokov-If the Wings decide to upgrade at the #2 goalie spot, Nabokov, who they tried to sign last year before losing him to the Isles on waivers, is a likely target. He's an unrestricted free agent after this year and is unlikely to come back to the Island.
Andrei Kositsyn- The 27-year-old Belarussian winger has the talent to score 20+ goals, size, and a willingness to hit. The only question would be what the Wings would have to give up for him should the Habs move him, and would he play enough defense to avoid extended stays in Babcock's doghouse?
Travis Moen- He's a big bodied winger, but in Detroit would probably struggle to bump anyone out of a top-9 role. He does have a willingness to hit, and with Danny Cleary's injury issues lingering, the team may be looking to add a veteran player to the 4th line.
Adam Hall-Hall doesn't bring much offensively, but he's winning 62.7% of his faceoffs and would help the Wings penalty kill and add size to their bottom 6 rotation. Hall could be one of the quiet moves that pay off big in the end.
Steve Downie-Like Dorsset, Downie has good size and a willingness to fight, plus enough skill to skate a regular shift. He's moved past the issues with on-ice discipline he struggled with early in his career that earned him some lengthy suspensions while with the Flyers, and should help the Wings 3rd or 4th line if the Lightning decide to trade him.
The Stars are on the edge of the playoffs, sitting two points back of the 8th seed and fighting for a spot with 4 other teams. If they have a bad stretch of games int eh next two weeks they could fall into the sellers category.
Brendan Morrow-There have been rumors circulating that the Stars captain is on the block. His offensive numbers have fallen off this year, but he has a big body and isn't afraid to use it. the veteran winger may be willing to waive his trade clause to finish his career with a contending team, especially if the Stars ask him to so that they can focus on their rebuilding efforts.
Michael Ryder- If the Wings decide to add a goal scoring winger, Ryder could be a target. Although it appears his days as a 30 goal player are behind him, he's still capable of scoring 20+ goals and plays a solid all-around game that should mesh well with the Wings.
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