Red Wings Have Buyout Candidate If A Trade Can't Be Made

The Detroit Red Wings are very much in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but that doesn't mean that the team isn't trying to alter their roster a little bit and move out some players. Near the top of the list of players Detroit seems to be trying to move is Vladimir Tarasenko.

It was suggested that if the Red Wings aren't able to trade Tarasenko by the deadline this season, he should be a buyout candidate in the offseason and it makes a lot of sense. It wasn't the best signing for Detroit to ink Tarasenko to a two-year deal at $4.75 million AAV with a full no-trade clause this season and an 8-team trade list next season.

With the Red Wings in playoff contention, it isn't very likely Tarasenko is going to waive his no-trade clause to go to any team worse-off than Detroit this season. He only has seven goals and 22 points in 53 games this season. It is a big drop-off from last season when he scored 17 goals and 41 points in 57 games with the Ottawa Senators and then finished off the season scoring six goals and 14 points in 19 games with the Florida Panthers.

Tarasenko is clearly past his prime and the Red Wings had some extra money to throw around, but he hasn't fit in this season and the experiment has to end sooner than later. Whether the Red Wings are in the playoffs or not, there are young players pushing for spots and it will likely lead to a buyout of the final year of his contract in the summer.