5 Players the Detroit Red Wings Should Trade Right Now

By Will Billinghurst

5 Players the Detroit Red Wings Should Trade Right Now

Detroit Red Wings — The Detroit Red Wings are one of the best NHL teams in the league and they haven't missed the playoffs since the 1989-90 season. Being a consistently good team means trading players who aren't contributing or are just expendable in order for Detroit to be the best possible team they can be. So here are five players the Detroit Red Wings should trade.

5. Johan Franzen

Johan Franzen

5. Johan Franzen

Johan Franzen — Johan Franzen has been an integral part of the Detroit organization since he came into the league, but after a number of injuries including a concussion it seems like Franzen's career is over. At 35 years old Franzen is still on contract for another five years, so it might be in Detroit's best interest to trade him to get rid of his contract.

4. Brad Richards

Brad Richards

4. Brad Richards

Brad Richards — Brad Richards is another 35-year-old player with his best days behind him. His point totals have declined each year and at his age it means it will only continue to decline. Detroit has been weak at center for the last few years and Richards is only a band-aid on the problem. Detroit needs to trade Richards and find a top center to replace him.

3. Joakim Andersson

Joakim Andersson

3. Joakim Andersson

Joakim Andersson — Joakim Andersson has struggled offensively with Detroit with a career high 17 points in 65 games during the 2013-14 season. This season is no different with no points in 11 games. Andersson could be replaced by any of Detroit's AHL players for what he contributes. Andersson just isn't working well in Detroit and needs to be traded.

2. Drew Miller

Drew Miller

2. Drew Miller

Drew Miller — Drew Miller has already started to decline at just 31 years old with only one point in 21 games so far this season. Miller had a career high 25 points in 80 games with Detroit during the 2011-12 season. Detroit needs to transition to younger players and unfortunately Miller will be a casualty of that transition. Miller is another player who can be easily replaced by a player from the minors so he needs to go.

1. Jimmy Howard

Jimmy Howard

1. Jimmy Howard

Jimmy Howard — Jimmy Howard is a great goalie, but unfortunately Petr Mrazek is better. That means Detroit can afford to trade Howard and any trade involving him would result in a significant return for Detroit. With Mrazek's contract up at the end of the season, Detroit needs to have enough cap room to give Mrazek the raise he will want, so trading Howard is in Detroit's best interest.

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Detroit Red Wings

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