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The Detroit Red Wings will likely shake things up this summer. After being in a playoff spot for much of the 2025-26 season, Detroit ultimately faltered down the stretch once again. As a result, and thanks to the Buffalo Sabres making the postseason, the Red Wings now have the longest playoff drought in the NHL.

Following the team’s failure, Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman has hinted that the club will have a busy offseason. During a recent press conference, the exec claimed that “everything has to be assessed.” Yzerman also proclaimed that the Red Wings “need better players” on the roster. The remarks seemingly placed much of the blame for the collapse on the players.

One specific area where Yzerman will be looking to improve is at the center position. The Hall of Famer made it clear at the press conference that he wants the Red Wings to improve through the middle of the ice. Dylan Larkin is Detroit’s undisputed 1C, but the team lacks real depth behind the star. Fellow centers Andrew Copp and Marco Kasper are likely to remain with the Red Wings for the 2026-27 season.

Nevertheless, The Athletic’s Max Bultman believes that J.T. Compher could very well be traded away this summer. The veteran center/winger previously signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract with Detroit in 2023. This came a year after the forward helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. Compher remains under contract until the summer of 2029 with a $5.1 million AAV.

Detroit Red Wings May Look to Shed J.T. Compher’s Salary This Summer

GettyJ.T. Compher could be used as trade bait by the Red Wings this summer.

So why would the Detroit Red Wings trade away a center if they need help in the position? The potential move would seemingly make sense for multiple reasons. Compher’s point totals have declined in each of the last three seasons. His 28 points in 2025-26 were his lowest tally since the shortened COVID season. He also failed to score a power play goal on the campaign for the first time in his NHL career.

Due to his diminished stats, Compher is likely falling down the pecking order in Detroit. Despite this, his aforementioned cap hit is still significant. In fact, he is currently the fifth-highest paid forward on the Red Wings roster. Compher, however, ranked ninth on the team in points for the 2025-26 season.

While he may be declining, Compher should still have decent trade value this summer. As Bultman points out, the upcoming free agency market is extremely thin, particularly at the highly coveted center position. As a result, Detroit could dangle the veteran in hopes of offloading his salary and potentially picking up a solid piece in return.

Detroit Expected to Reignite Interest in Vincent Trocheck

The Detroit Red Wings have been heavily linked with New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck in the past. Although a deal was not ironed out before the March 6 trade deadline, Trocheck is expected to be moved this summer. Detroit is likely to be involved in the sweepstakes for the veteran center once again. Trocheck only earns slightly more money than Compher, too.

Compher, however, does have a little bit of leverage in the situation. The veteran forward currently has a 10-team no-trade list stipulation in his contract. Nevertheless, he may want to look elsewhere to get more playing time as a top-six forward on another team.