As the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline approaches, the Detroit Red Wings are once again preparing to unload assets in order for GM Steve Yzerman to gain additional draft capital.
There are currently several names on the Red Wings roster who are slated to become free agents at season’s end and have seen their names appear as potential targets, including the likes of defenseman Nick Leddy and forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Sam Gagner. The Red Wings even sat Leddy before Thursday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, indicating a trade was likely imminent.
But according to Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, just about everyone on the roster not named Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond is being made available for trade. He also specifically mentioned forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who ranks second on the Red Wings in both goals (24) and points (48) despite not being eligible to play in Canadian cities due to not having received the COVID-19 vaccination.
But after practice today ahead of Detroit’s first-ever visit to Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, Bertuzzi made it clear that his preference is to remain with Detroit.
“100%,” he said when asked of his preference. “I love it here. Never once did I ever say I want to leave, this is where I want to be.”
“I guess those guys have a job to do, and a lot of them are rumors,” he continued. “I guess they like putting stuff out there to get clicks, but whatever is out there is false. I want to be a Red Wing.”
The Red Wings take on the Seattle Kraken tonight starting at 10:00 PM EST.
– – Quotes via Detroit Red Wings Link – –