Trade underway for the Detroit Red Wings and one player is named to be gone

The Detroit Red Wings have to position themselves in 2025-26 for a playoff run. They've been in a drought for nearly a decade, and Steve Yzerman has a mandate to end that drought.

For the Wings, they'll need to move off of some veteran players, and that could include a cap dump in the form of center Andrew Copp. Copp, a Michigan-born forward, hasn't been able to play up to expectations in Detroit.

But while he's not the same forward he was in New York and Winnipeg, teams could find use for him in their bottom six.

The Detroit Red Wings may move off of Copp, who has been counted on as a positive influence in the team's locker room. Surely, Yzerman isn't thinking about the possible long-term effects of such a move, is he?

Doubtful, as the team needs to make room for forwards to promote while practicing addition by subtraction with Copp.

Copp, a former 30-40 point player, could find a new home in Florida, as the team utilizes role-players to their fullest abilities.

In fact, a few of them, like Evan Rodrigues, have found themselves successful under Paul Maurice's system.

The Red Wings could rid themselves of $5.625 million in cap space if they can find a taker for the forward.

For now, they'll have to make do with what's available to them; the former Ann Arbor-born winger's absence will be felt should they end up trading him.