Detroit Red Wings set to trade $5.1M forward in a cap dump move

The Detroit Red Wings could add another $5.1 million in cap space if they were able to move on from veteran center JT Compher.

While Compher hasn't been a complete failure during his time in Detroit, he has some trade value and could find some suitors, after what we've seen in 2022-23 with the Avalanche, and his first year as a Red Wing.

While he did struggle in 2024-25, scoring only 32 points (11-21) with a -7, and 16:41 TOI, he could rebound next season.

Compher still has two years remaining on his $5.1 million AAV deal with the Red Wings.

Would Yzerman be able to essentially complete a cap dump with any of these three teams?

Compher would be a natural fit with the Colorado Avalanche whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2022. Compher's final season total in an Avalanche uniform saw him score 52 points (17-35), and Yzerman could tap into his connection in Colorado to make a deal happen.

The Red Wings could tack on a draft pick and a prospect in order to get a top player like Martin Necas, who is reportedly unhappy in Colorado. They could move a 1st-round pick, plus Jonatan Berggren or Sebastian Cossa, for Necas.

It's a bold move.

The Sabres could part ways with JJ Peterka or Stanley Cup-winning Bowen Byram if they could be convinced with the price. Of course, the price may have to be a top-end prospect like Nate Danielson, and a 1st-round pick when it comes to someone like Peterka, for Compher, who is past his prime.

It might be expecting too much for a mid-tier prospect in return from Buffalo, but it'd be a sweet addition to the deal.

A trade for Jason Robertson seems a little out of left field, especially when it comes to JT Compher. Of course, it's another cap dump where you'd have to attach a 1st-round pick and a prospect to even approach GM Jim Nill with sincerity.

But since the Stars are in a cap crunch, it may be a welcome option, but I don't think Compher would be the right piece.

However, a trade like this is fun to think about, and who knows, maybe we'll see something similar happen if Yzerman is bold enough in July.