PuckPedia, a popular hockey website, recently launched a tool called PuckGM, allowing users to craft their own trade scenarios. One user suggested a trade that would see the Red Wings acquire Pageau from the Islanders, enhancing their forward group.

Proposed Trade:

• Red Wings receive: Jean-Gabriel Pageau
• Islanders receive: Jonatan Berggren, Justin Holl ($600k salary retained)

This trade is compelling, offering mutual benefits to both teams. The Red Wings would gain a seasoned forward, while the Islanders would acquire a promising young player in Berggren, an RFA, and take on Holl’s contract, who still has the potential to be a useful defenseman.

Pageau, currently in the fourth year of a six-year, $30 million contract, could slot into the Red Wings’ middle-six forward group. Last season, he notched 11 goals and 22 assists, totaling 33 points over 82 games. Over his career, Pageau has played 718 NHL games, recording 145 goals and 179 assists for 324 points.

On the other hand, Berggren, an RFA, has yet to secure a contract for the upcoming season but would be a cost-effective replacement for Pageau in the Islanders’ lineup. Drafted in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Berggren played 12 games last season, scoring 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points.

As for Holl, he is entering the second year of a three-year, $10.2 million contract. However, his first season with the Red Wings was disappointing, as he managed just 5 assists in 38 games and was often a healthy scratch.

Holl’s Struggles and Potential Buyout

Holl was signed during the 2023 free agency period to strengthen Detroit’s defense, but his performance has been underwhelming. This led to discussions about a possible buyout, though the Red Wings ultimately decided against it. According to NHL insider Max Bultman of The Athletic, Holl could be a buyout candidate in the 2025 offseason if his play doesn’t improve.

“They likely didn’t want to be on the hook for four years of dead cap that would have come with a buyout. It wasn’t a massive number ($1.13 million each year), but four years is a long time to pay dead cap. The Red Wings’ management team likely believes Holl can play. Whether Lalonde uses him is another question, but I don’t get the sense from Yzerman that he thinks Holl is a lost cause,” Bultman wrote in his article.

“Your point about the cap hit sitting in the press box is good, but the Red Wings probably don’t expect to be quite as lucky injury-wise this season as they were in 2023-24 — and if that’s the case, Holl could play more this season. But if he doesn’t and he’s again a $3.4 million scratch for most of the season, I’d have to imagine they’ll explore a buyout next year, for just two years of dead cap at the same $1.13 million cost,” Bultman added.

Before joining the Red Wings, Holl spent six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Key RFA Players Still Unsigned

As NHL training camps approach in September, the Red Wings face the crucial task of re-signing key RFAs Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Both players are essential to Detroit’s lineup, yet they remain unsigned.

Last season, Seider played in 82 games, recording 9 goals and 33 assists for 42 points. Raymond, meanwhile, tallied 31 goals and 41 assists, accumulating 72 points over 82 games. Securing contracts for these young stars will be a top priority for the Red Wings as they prepare for the upcoming season.