The Detroit Red Wings have already brought in a key reinforcement between the pipes, acquiring goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Petr Mrazek, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
Following the emergence of Lukas Dostal in Anaheim, who also recently re-signed former Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso, Gibson was the odd-man out but has several years of hockey left in him at just 31 years old.
There still remains a chance that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could make additional trades, but this time to supplement their forward or defensive units.
"We have plenty of cap space to do a lot of different things,” Yzerman said last week. “The most important thing is to find players that fit."
Currently, the Red Wings have just over $12 million of available salary cap space after the acquisition of Gibson, the contract extension for Patrick Kane, and free agent signings of James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ian Mitchell, and John Leonard.
Detroit would love to add a top-six forward who can immediately make an impact for them. But which names would make the most sense for them to add up front?
Jason Robertson
Perhaps the most obvious name making the rounds amongst Red Wings fans is Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars.
The Stars are facing a salary cap crunch after the massive extension Mikko Rantanen, and would love to shed salary. Robertson, who is only two seasons removed from scoring 46 goals, has still been heavily involved in recent trade rumors.
Not only would Robertson be an instant offensive impact player for the Red Wings (35 goals in 2024-25), but they'd easily be able to fit him under their current salary cap situation. He's under contract for another season with a $7.75 million cap hit, and can become a free agent in the summer of 2026.
It also doesn't hurt that Robertson is from Northville, about 30 minutes outside of downtown Detroit, and also played for both Little Caesars and the Detroit Kings AAA team as a youngster.
Getting a deal done involving Robertson between Yzerman and Stars GM Jim Nill, who was Detroit's assistant general manager for several years, wouldn't be a difficult proposition.
Bryan Rust
Speaking of players with Michigan connections, current Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust hails from Pontiac and played for the Detroit Honeybaked Hockey Club while growing up a fan of the Red Wings.
Rust, who helped the Penguins become the first club since the 1997 and 1998 Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup in consecutive seasons (2016, 2017), is coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 31 goals.
He's scored no less than 20 goals in each of his last six seasons, and could also soon be on the move from the rebuilding Penguins. He would also give the Red Wings another forward with a right-handed shot.
Rust has three seasons remaining on his deal which carries a $5.25 million cap hit.
Rickard Rakell
Another player that the Penguins have been rumored to be willing to part ways with is Rickard Rakell.
Like Rust, Rakell is a right-handed shot and also reached a new career-high in goals scored in the 2024-25 NHL season, lightning the lamp 35 times. His previous career-high was 34 goals in 2017-18 as a member of the Ducks.
Rakell is often utilized on the power play, and has been known throughout his career for his quick release.
His contract, which carries a $5 million cap hit, has three years remaining.
