Some Red Wings won't be around following Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. (The Associated Press).

Red Wings selling for first time in more than quarter century

By Ansar Khan

| akhan

1@mlive.com

The Detroit Red Wings will be sellers for the first time in more than a quarter century because their 25-season playoff streak has all but officially ended.

General manager Ken Holland has spoken to many teams about several players the past few weeks and talks will continue up until Wednesday’s 3 p.m. (ET) trade deadline.

Holland indicated last week only rentals (players who will be unrestricted free agents after the season) figure to be in play.

Here is a look at some Red Wings trade possibilities, a couple who are certain to be moved and why others likely will not be dealt.

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Thomas Vanek leads the Red Wings with 15 goals in 47 games. (The Associated Press).

Thomas Vanek

Contract: Final year at $2.6 million cap hit. Unrestricted free agent after the season.

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2016-17 stats

Games: 47

Goals: 15

Assists: 23

Points: 38

Plus-minus: Plus-1

Penalty minutes: 16

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Several teams, including the Blackhawks, have shown interest in Thomas Vanek. (The Associated Press).

Staying or going?

He has had a good bounce-back season after two disappointing years in Minnesota, leading the Red Wings in goals. He is certain to be dealt as a rental. Several teams could use his offense, including the Chicago Blackhawks. The Red Wings should be able to get multiple picks for him, if not a first-round selection then at least one second-rounder with perhaps a mid-round choice or a prospect.

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Brendan Smith hasn't developed into the top-pair defenseman the Red Wings hoped after selecting him 27th overall in 2007. (The Associated Press).

Brendan Smith

Contract: Final year at $2.75 million cap hit. Unrestricted free agent after the season.

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2016-17 stats

Games: 33

Goals: 2

Assists: 3

Points: 5

Plus-minus: Minus-1

Penalty minutes: 34

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Brendan Smith hasn't seen much power-play time during his time with the Red Wings. (The Associated Press).

Staying or going?

He is likely to be traded as a rental. If the Red Wings wanted to sign him to an extension they probably would have started the process much sooner. He will probably fetch a mid-round pick since Mike Stone, a somewhat comparable player, was dealt from Arizona to Calgary for a third-rounder and a conditional fifth. Smith is a good skater with some offensive upside, but hasn't developed like the club expected after selecting him in the first round in 2007 (27th overall). Pittsburgh appears to be one of several teams interested, as depth defensemen are usually in demand at the deadline.

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Steve Ott can provide an abrasive presence for the fourth line. (The Associated Press).

Steve Ott

Contract: Final year at an $800,000 cap hit. Unrestricted free agent after the season.

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2016-17 stats

Games: 42

Goals: 3

Assists: 3

Points: 6

Plus-minus: Minus-6

Penalty minutes: 63

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Steve Ott can kill penalties and is good in the faceoff circle. (The Associated Press).

Staying or going?

He could be moved for a mid-to-late round pick or prospect to a team seeking an abrasive fourth-line presence, someone who kills penalties, can play center or wing and is good in the faceoff circle (58 percent).

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Tomas Jurco has struggled since his rookie season of 2013-14. (Mike Mulholland/MLive.com).

Tomas Jurco

Contract: Final year at an $900,000 cap hit. Restricted free agent after the season.

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2016-17 stats

Games: 16

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Points: 0

Plus-minus: Minus-8

Penalty minutes: 2

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Tomas Jurco has decent size and good skills, but it hasn't translated to NHL success. (The Associated Press).

Staying or going?

A frequent healthy scratch who has made no impact this season, he has little trade value. But, he’s young (24), skates well and has decent size. He showed much promise as a rookie in 2013-14 (eight goals, seven assists in 36 games), but has since had trouble fitting into a bottom-six role. He doesn’t appear to have a future in Detroit. He'll be available to Vegas in the expansion draft. Perhaps Europe is in his future.

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Mike Green is the Red Wings' only viable offensive threat on the blue line. (The Associated Press).

Mike Green

Contract: One year remaining at a $6 million cap hit, plus a no-trade clause.

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2016-17 stats

Games: 50

Goals: 10

Assists: 16

Points: 26

Plus-minus: Minus-13

Penalty minutes: 34

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Mike Green leads Detroit defensemen in goals and points. (The Associated Press).

Staying or going?

His offensive ability would draw interest if he agreed to waive his no-trade clause. But if the Red Wings opt not to go into a full rebuild, with designs on making the playoffs in 2017-18, in their first season at Little Caesars Arena, they likely would want to retain Green. He is the lone offensive threat on a blue line that doesn’t produce much.

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Tomas Tatar is tied for second on the team with 14 goals. (The Associated Press).

Tomas Tatar

Contract: Final year of contract at $2.75 million cap hit. Restricted free agent after the season.

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2016-17 stats

Games: 60

Goals: 14

Assists: 14

Points: 28

Penalty minutes: 20

Plus-minus: Minus-9

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Tomas Tatar will be seeking a significant raise in his next contract this summer. (The Associated Press).

Staying or going?

If the Red Wings explore trade options with Tatar, it’s more likely to happen in the off-season. That’s because the club likely would want in return a player that can help them now, not draft picks or futures. And playoff-bound teams this time of year are more inclined to deal futures than a regular roster player. Tatar surely will be seeking a contract comparable to Gustav Nyquist’s four-year deal with a $4.75 million cap hit. He has some leverage with arbitration rights. So, if the Red Wings don’t want to pay him that much, they might look to deal him.

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Gustav Nyquist has slumped after scoring 55 goals combined in 2014-13 and 2014-15. (The Associated Press).

Gustav Nyquist

Contract: Two more years at a cap hit of $4.75 million

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2016-17 stats

Games: 56

Goals: 7

Assists: 22

Points: 29

Plus-minus: Minus-4

Penalty minutes: 14

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Gustav Nyquist has two more games to serve in his suspension for high-sticking. (The Associated Press).

Staying or going?

He has regressed after two strong seasons with 28 and 27 goals, significantly impacting his trade value. Like Tatar, if the Red Wings look to move him, chances are it would be in the off-season. His no-trade clause takes effect next season.