Detroit Red Wings set to acquire longtime NHL veteran to help with 2025 playoff push

The Detroit Red Wings are a dark horse candidate for center Brock Nelson, who has worn the Avalanche uniform at the end of the season.

He'd join the team for their postseason run, which was ended by the Dallas Stars, an early first-round exit.

The Red Wings could use Nelson as a 2C, as Marco Kasper isn't fully developed yet, and Nelson has plenty of playoff experience. Nelson, who is 33, could be had for a cheaper deal in free agency if he and the Avalanche aren't able to come to terms.

This year, his 6-year, $6 million AAV contract will end. The former 30+ goal scorer for the New York Islanders has tasted a bit of playoff hockey, will no doubt pine for more with his next team.

Which is why it's important for someone like Steve Yzerman to build the right team, to attract top talent like Nelson in July.

While a trade might be more pertinent, if Nelson opts to remain with a team he didn't exactly gel with at the beginning, he could find himself playing top minutes for a team that needs his contributions

Another scenario would involve trading J.T. Compher for Nelson, if they're unable to sign him for a contract of $3.5 million over 2 years.

Yzerman could send Compher elsewhere for picks, if the Red Wings do luck into the lumbering, Minnesota-born forward and recoup their losses for their overpay of $5.1 million AAV here in Detroit

This season, Nelson's production declined slightly, as the chaos in New York subsided once he left for good and joined the Avalanche.

Now, with July upon us Steve Yzerman has some great options down the middle, and Brock Nelson would be the next-best thing to Marco Kasper.