Latest Offseason Rumblings: Red Wings Eyeing Chychrun, Guentzel

Tuesday became the busiest day of the Red Wings offseason to date.  It started modestly with a prospect centric trade with the Predators, then escalated to an altogether shocking deal that sent defenseman Jake Walman and the second round pick acquired from Nashville to the Sharks for nothing more than "future considerations."

That Walman deal is a difficult one to make sense of, but the only possible explanation at this point seems to be that it signals another move imminent, whether a third trade or significant free agent swing. With that in mind, let's also consider the latest rumor rumblings around Detroit.

On Tuesday, the Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch reported that the Red Wings were among the teams interested in Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun, writing:

The club is also trying to determine what the market looks like for defenceman Jakob Chychrun, who has one year left at $4.6 million.  League executives say the Senators are seeking a first- and second-round pick or a high-end prospect in exchange for Chychrun. Staios is keeping his options open on the trade front and is exploring every opportunity he has to make the organization better.The indications are the Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks are among the teams that have shown interest in Chychrun.

Apr 11, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena © Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, David Pagnotta (of The Fourth Period) reported yesterday that the Red Wings are also among the teams expressing "serious interest" in pending UFA forward Jake Guentzel, who put up 77 points in 67 games split between Pittsburgh and Carolina this year.

There is a credible argument to be made for either trade: Detroit is looking to bolster its top four defensemen and top six forwards.  Chychrun (who currently has one year left on his contract at $4.6 million) could theoretically replace Walman next to Moritz Seider on the Red Wings' top pair, while Guentzel is a smart, skilled winger with a scorer's touch who could fit in neatly as an upgrade on either of the team's top two lines.  He is arguably the top UFA available, which could help explain dealing Walman to free up the cap space requisite for acquiring Guentzel.

Both moves would qualify as major swings that might help explain that Walman trade, though until one, both, or something entirely different comes down the pipeline, that Walman deal will remain a head-scratcher.

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