We love Ras, a team would have to GROSSLY overpay for us to part with him.

Ras isn't available, Yzerman is extremely high on him.

Bertuzzi A B level prospect and a 2023 3rd round pick. Or equivalent to a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

Id be surprised if Ras was available but Bert a 2nd rounder I think gets it done unless he has a bananas next 3 weeks.

Sandin or Knies would have to be included. Even though LD is probably the strongest prospect area for the Wings, this could open another area for the Wings to get a C they need. I'm not sure the Leafs matchup well in a Raz trade as they would look for a Ctr prospect, a 1st and probably another young piece or pick in return.

Well you said sane. Unfortunately, that discounts most that frequent this site.

Bertuzzi is a tough trade right now. He's at "sell low" status, and I don't see him moving unless a team overpays for him, considering the poor performance/luck this year.

I would be surprised if Ras got moved, mostly because he's still growing and we *still* don't know what he ends up being. We have an idea stylistically, but not from a ceiling perspective. Plus, he's been a great jack of all trades this year to plug into literally any forward spot in the lineup (including 1C) without issue.

Long story short, I don't think either will be moved (Bert because of valuation, Ras because there's no reason to).

What's the local feeling on Bertuzzi sticking around past this year? If I'm Stevie Y and I'm not super interested in bringing him back, part of me feels like I just move him out for the pick and move on with my life. At least I get that 2nd/3rd rounder instead of nothing for letting him walk, you know?

But obviously that's only an option if the Wings are ready to move on.

It's difficult, tbh. Last year he showed the player he can be, which is 30G and 62 pts in 68 games. The year before was sacrificed due to his back injury. This year, he's had 3 totally individual injuries, at least two of which were from pucks breaking each hand. Freak accidents.

It would be hard to move on from him unless a team wants to pay what he was worth last year. I have spoken with a number of others who I consider more intelligent than your "typical" fan, and I think we generally feel that Bert should sign for another 1 year deal to show, once again, what he can do when healthy. We mostly want to prove he can play uninjured, and are fearful of moving him then making the playoffs since he's always been a playoff performer.

If he can play healthily and well next season, then give him his long-term contract. If not, then I think it's time to move on.

That's where my mind keeps going. Keep him through the TDL, sign him to a 1 year extension to rebuild value, and re-assess this time next year. Obviously dependent on the player agreeing to it, and if Bertuzzi says he wants a long term deal, I think I bite the bullet and move him out.

One delicate piece to this is that he and Larkin have developed one hell of a relationship over the years. I fear that Bertuzzi getting moved before Larkin's contract getting signed could sour things for Larkin. Not sure if that's at all true, it's just my personal speculation.

For us to part with Rasmussen, we'd need an equally talented young roster player coming back from the Leafs. Sandin is who comes to mind. Except Detroit doesn't necessarily need D as that's their strongest position amongst prospects/ young players with Seider, Edvinsson, Wallinder. Detroit needs more young talented forwards so parting with one for another D 1 for 1 doesn't jive. Toronto would have to add.

Rational discussion which is appreciated; I’ve seen a lot of wings fans imply best thing for bertuzzi & wings is to sign a one year “show me” contract extension next year. Why does anyone think he’ll do that? Pretty rare for players to sign one year deals unless they literally have no choice and i gotta believe a lot of teams would be willing to give bertuzzi a 2 or 3 year show me deal (he’d have another kick at fa contract when cap is higher). And no offense - he could sign with a better team and play with better line mates if that’s his plan. If he isn’t moved at TDL, big mistake by Stevey Y imo.

The thing is is that Bertuzzi has signed a few "show me" deals which have ended up not going in his favor, mostly due to injury. Fact is, over the last 3 years (to date), he's only played 94 games. That's just about half of the games over 3 years. If he's truly a 0.9 PPG player like he was last year, he's going to have to play more than half the games for a team to pay him like one.

If I were Bert, I would not take a 2-3 year deal since he'll be 30yo by the time the deal ends and nobody is giving out huge contracts to guys of that age, specifically those with a history of injuries.

That said, I think it's a developing situation. We have a few weeks until TDL, so he could go lights out and show that he's worth a long term contract. In which case, the team needs to decide what they want to do with him (trade or keep). He could also flounder, in which case the team and player both would need to decide the direction they want to move in.

This exactly. I will add that Bertuzzi might be willing to sign something like a 5.5x5. To stay in Detroit, both sides have some risk in a deal like that. It keeps Larkin happy if the friendship is a factor, and it gives Bertuzzi some security. I dont think a 5 year deal at 5.5 would be horrible even if Bertuzzi ONLY plays to a 20 goal 40-50 point player.

I would not entertain trading Bertuzzi unless a 1st rounder or equivalent is involved.

The package of Bert & Rasmussen is a highly unrealistic scenario and quite simply would never happen. It would take Knies, Niemela & a 1st round pick tho at least.

I'm sure Toronto could put something together to pry Rasmussen out of Detroit but would they want to. If Vrana and Bertuzzi aren't back next season players like Rasmussen and Kubalik become more valuable from Detroit's POV.

There is no chance bertuzzi gets a 1st back, imo. If he isn’t re-signed by TDL, can’t see why the wings wouldn’t flip him for best return they can

I think that is precisely the package. To be honest, Detroit might be the loser on that trade. No disrespect to the Toronto prospects, but they haven't played a minute in the NHL. Rasmussen really looks like that good, consistent, responsible plug that every team covets. If you asked me before this season what I thought of Rasmussen, and I'd have said long-shot 2C, likely Solid 3C , bottom 6 mainly. Now, I see he can play top 9. If everyone is clicking and healthy, having him on your 3rd line becomes a luxury (when was the last time Detroit had a bottom 6 luxury?).

Bertuzzi may or may not pan out, but if he does, and Toronto does ok, he might be a long term fit there. Even if he only helps the team to round 2, it is a success.

Knies and Niemela are great prospect, neither a position of great need for Detroit. Both are a couple years away from meaningful contributions. The first is likely early to mid 20s. Toronto gets a top 9 long term cap controlled rising star and a rental with potential to be a top 6 force in the playoffs. Detroit gets a lottery pick that can be cashed in a few years, maybe, and two very good prospects that may or may not become top half of the roster guys. You never know with prospects...look at NYR, Edmonton, even Detroit. Toronto gets cash in hand.